Emma Short Essay
The various circumstances involving different composers, whether they are social, cultural or historical, influences vastly on the thematic concerns of every text. The author, Jane Austen’s context, the Regency Era, profoundly shapes the canonical text, Emma. In her novel, Austen continually explores aspects of the patriarchal society of her time, its rigid social structure, the value of birthright and wealth, as well as the great worth of marriage to women.
From the beginning, the concept of male supremacy is established with Mr Knightley’s condescension towards Harriet and her obscure birth in Volume I Chapter VIII. He calls Harriet a “foolish girl” for refusing Mr Martin’s marriage proposal, which shows his poor opinion of her and demonstrates both social and gender distinctions in Austen’s time. His negative judgement of her is further emphasised when he objectifies her as a “creature,” conveying the dominance of men and is again expressed with Mr Knightley’s indignation with Emma. Through his humourless tone, his exclamation of “a degradation to illegitimacy and ignorance, to be married to a respectable, intelligent gentleman- farmer!” stresses on the importance for women especially, to marry well and he implies that for Harriet, Mr Martin is more than she could hope for. His ill impression of Harriet is juxtaposed with his regard for Mr Martin, and Austen effectively portrays the critical character of the aristocracy. She employs Mr Knightley as a representation of society’s values expectations when he calls on Harriet of her obscure birth in the rhetorical question, “What are Harriet Smith’s claims, either of birth, nature or education, to any connexion higher than Robert Martin? She is the natural daughter of nobody knows whom, with probably no settled provision at all, and certainly no respectable relations.” Here, Mr Knightley’s obvious disapproval of Harriet is evident in his severe tone and he questions her claims, knowing that she has none. Though
From the beginning, the concept of male supremacy is established with Mr Knightley’s condescension towards Harriet and her obscure birth in Volume I Chapter VIII. He calls Harriet a “foolish girl” for refusing Mr Martin’s marriage proposal, which shows his poor opinion of her and demonstrates both social and gender distinctions in Austen’s time. His negative judgement of her is further emphasised when he objectifies her as a “creature,” conveying the dominance of men and is again expressed with Mr Knightley’s indignation with Emma. Through his humourless tone, his exclamation of “a degradation to illegitimacy and ignorance, to be married to a respectable, intelligent gentleman- farmer!” stresses on the importance for women especially, to marry well and he implies that for Harriet, Mr Martin is more than she could hope for. His ill impression of Harriet is juxtaposed with his regard for Mr Martin, and Austen effectively portrays the critical character of the aristocracy. She employs Mr Knightley as a representation of society’s values expectations when he calls on Harriet of her obscure birth in the rhetorical question, “What are Harriet Smith’s claims, either of birth, nature or education, to any connexion higher than Robert Martin? She is the natural daughter of nobody knows whom, with probably no settled provision at all, and certainly no respectable relations.” Here, Mr Knightley’s obvious disapproval of Harriet is evident in his severe tone and he questions her claims, knowing that she has none. Though