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Title
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Two umbrellas for us
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Description
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Here we see Mr. Weston bringing out two umbrellas for Emma and her governess, Miss Taylor after they got caught in the rain while out for a walk. The novel opens with the wedding of Miss Taylor and Mr. Weston. This was Mr. Weston and Miss Taylor’s first meeting. Emma recounts this story as a means of consoling her father who was sad that Miss Taylor, now Mrs. Weston, had left Hartfield. This scene occurs in chapter 1. The characters are shown in the traditional regency style, with Emma and Miss Taylor wearing the regency style dress with an empire waist. Their hair is worn tied up, as was tradition for women after their coming out before the queen, signaling her entrance into society. They wear bonnets to protect her face from the sun. Bonnets were a popular accessory at this time because going for walks was a common pastime, and pale skin was believed to be the most fashionable as a means of indicating a woman’s status in the upper class, who did not have to perform outdoor labour. Mr. Weston wears a waistcoat and tailcoat, and a top hat and carries two umbrellas. The regency period dated to the early nineteenth century (1811-1820) when George, Prince of Wales, later George IV (r. 1820-1830), reigned as regent for his mentally ill father, King George III (r. 1760-1820). The regency period is associated with the rise of neoclassicism in art and fashion.
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Image Creator
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Hugh Thomson (Illustrator)
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Identifier
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mta:25767
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Source Name
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Emma
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Image
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