Essay on Emma by Jane Austen - 2322 Words

Societal Affects of Love Emma, by Jane Austen, is a classic comedy that took place in the nineteenth-century near London, England. Emma tells the tale of a heroine attempting to be the matchmaker for everyone, and ultimately herself. Emma Woodhouse, the main character, loses her dear friend and governess, Miss Taylor, to Miss Taylor’s marriage, in which she becomes Mrs. Weston. Emma, in search of another cherished companion, comes across Harriet Smith. Although Harriet comes from a lower class in society, Emma admires her beauty and takes it upon herself to improve Harriet in order to make her acceptable to the upper class. For instance, Mr. Martin, a local farmer, seems to have fallen in love with Harriet, yet Emma suggests that she†¦show more content†¦Emma, being the manipulative girl she is, doesn’t directly tell Harriet to reject his proposal but hints that she doesn’t need to accept him because she could do a lot better. Emma didn’t even really know Mr. Martin. All she knew was that he was a farmer and farmers were considered the low class, so she just let her beliefs about class ranking steer her opinion to decline Mr. Martin. Miss Woodhouse then shares with Harriet that if she had accepted his proposal then they could no longer be friends because she would be down lower on the social class ranking. Emma says: Perfectly, perfectly right, my dearest Harriet; you are doing just what you ought. While you were at all in suspense, I kept my feelings to myself, but now that you are so completely decided, I have no hesitation in approving. Dear Harriet, I give myself joy of this. It would have grieved me to lose your acquaintance, which must have been the consequence of your marrying Mr. Martin. (52-53) After declining Mr. Martin’s proposal, Miss Woodhouse and Mr. Knightley get into an argument because Mr. Knightley sees that Harriet is actually lower in class than Mr. Martin, while Emma disagrees. Mr. Knightley states, â€Å"Nonsense!... Harriet Smith refuse Robert Martin! Madness, if it is so; but I hope you are mistaken† (60). Emma thinks that since she is a friend of Harriet, she cannot possibly be that low in class because Emma doesn’t associate with the lower class.Show MoreRelatedEmma, By Jane Austen1327 Words   |  6 PagesIn Jane Austen’s â€Å"Emma,† conversations reveal the social concerns and the character of its participants. Each contributor has a unique and therefore biased perspective that informs how they appear in a conversation. The eponymous protagonist, Emma is oft seen making judgments whether in dialogue or through free indirect discourse, such that her own shortcomings and biases are elucidated. Emma willing enters into a disagreement with her step-brother, Mr. Knightley, on the elusive Frank Churchill.Read MoreEmma by Jane Austen857 Words   |  4 PagesThe story, Emma, by Jane Austen, is a riveting tale about a heroine who through her determined will to assist others, realizes and attains her own dreams and desires. The story begins with 21 year old, Emma Woodhouse struggling with the loss of her governess of 16 years and a truly dear friend, Miss Taylor. Miss Taylor recently wedded Mr. Weston and moved half a mile away from the Woodhouses residence at Hartfield. Both Emma and her father are trying to cope with this drastic change and overcomeRead MoreEmma by Jane Austen Essay783 Words   |  4 PagesIn Emma Jane Austen exposes the limitations of the role of women in her society. Examine Austen’s presentation of what is called in the novel, women’s usual occupations of eye, and hand, and mind. Emma – Role of Woman In Emma Jane Austen exposes the limitations of the role of women in her society. Examine Austen’s presentation of what is called in the novel, ‘women’s usual occupations of eye, and hand, and mind’. In Jane Austen’s society, the role of women was controlled by what was Read MoreEmma by Jane Austen Essay1491 Words   |  6 PagesEmma is more unpleasant than appealing. Discuss with reference to the first 9 chapters Essay: ‘Emma’ The first line of the novel ‘Emma’, by Jane Austen, claims Emma to be ‘handsome, clever, and rich’, this sums up Emma’s character completely. It is important to list these first of all, for fear of the reader to immediately dislike her. Indeed, later on-on the first page, Emma’s faults are listed, claiming her to have too much of her own way and herself thinking very highly of herselfRead MoreA Brief Note On Emma By Jane Austen Essay2070 Words   |  9 PagesTerm Paper in English 1 On Emma by Jane Austen In partial fulfillment of the requirements for Award of Degree of B.A [HONS.]ENGLISH Submitted by: Supervised by: Rashmi Priya Mrs. Suchi agarwal Amity Institute of English Studies and Research Amity University Uttar Pradesh India DECLARATION I Rashmi Priya student of B.A (Hons.) English of Amity Institute of English Studies and ResearchRead More Emma by Jane Austen Essay example2875 Words   |  12 PagesAbout the Author Jane Austen was born on December 16, 1775 at Steventon, England. She was the seventh child of the rector of the parish at Steventon, and lived with her family until they moved to Bath when her father retired in 1801. Her father, Reverend George Austen, was from Kent and attended the Tunbridge School before studying at Oxford and receiving a living as a rector at Steventon. Her mother, Cassandra Leigh Austen, was the daughter of a patrician family. Among her siblings she hadRead MoreAnalysis Of Jane Austen s Emma2163 Words   |  9 PagesJane Austen’s Emma follows the life of an overindulged, upper class young woman who, after enduring a crisis brought on by her own pride, is transformed from callow and vain, to a state of mental and emotional maturity. On first reading, the audience may perceive Emma’s actions as a repression of feelings, but upon closer inspection one can see that she is not suppressing her emotions but simply does not have the level of self-awareness that would allow her to clarify the difference between rightRead MoreLiterary Analysis Of Emma By Jane Austen1648 Words   |  7 PagesAnalysis of Emma by Jane Austen In Jane Austen’s novel, Emma, protagonist Emma avoids her own transformation by her attempts to transform others. However, Emma experiences her coming-of-age through the stable characters of those around her. Austen reveals how self-transformation is necessary in maturing and establishing self-awareness. Emma Woodhouse possesses qualities that many would envy: beauty, intelligence, wealth, and youth. However, the positive aspects of Emma are equally contrastedRead MoreJane Austen s Emma And The Passages 2175 Words   |  9 Pages2014 Emma by Jane Austen VS Benjamin Franklin Jane Austen’s novel Emma and The passages by Benjamin Franklin talk about the strong opinions their authors have on marriage. While they were both in alive and writing in different times and places, they both have differences and similarities in their opinions on what marriage means to them. My goal in this paper is to talk about those differences and similarities in opinion, by talking about the many character and relationships that are in Jane AustenRead MoreMarriage By Jane Austen s Emma1424 Words   |  6 Pagesstatus. Jane Austen’s Emma, explores a number of marriages and anticipated vows, and how the relationships are often based on social status. The rise in social rank through romantic relationships is essential to women as they are unable to improve their status through personal achievements. At the time, social norms dictated that marriage be a critically important accomplishment for women, especially since they had very few prospects for employment. For exam ple, Harriet is astonished that Emma chooses