Emma by Jane Austen
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 reject him because she believes Harriet has the potential to get a man who is high in society. Harriet complies, and Emma goes on to recommend Mr. Elton, a preacher, whom she believes is a perfect match for Harriet. Though, later on Emma realizes Mr. Elton has in fact fallen in love with her, rather than Harriet, making her question her matchmaking skills. After a period of absence from matchmaking, Mrs. Weston’s stepson, Frank Churchill, visits town and Emma falls for him. Harriet approaches Emma with the declaration that she has fallen in love with another man, however Emma insists that Harriet keep the name to herself due to Emma’s fear of ruining a potential companionship because of her lack of skill of matchmaking. Emma fears that Harriet is in love with Frank, so she revokes her personal feelings for him in order to further Harriet’s chances at obtaining a man of higher class. However, Emma discovers that Frank is already engaged to Jane Fairfax and discloses this information to Harriet. When Harriet is informed of this, she seems disinterested, showing she was in fact not in love with Frank, but rather fallen for Mr. Knightly. Once this information is disclosed, Emma then realizes she is in love with Mr. Knightley as well and
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 reject him because she believes Harriet has the potential to get a man who is high in society. Harriet complies, and Emma goes on to recommend Mr. Elton, a preacher, whom she believes is a perfect match for Harriet. Though, later on Emma realizes Mr. Elton has in fact fallen in love with her, rather than Harriet, making her question her matchmaking skills. After a period of absence from matchmaking, Mrs. Weston’s stepson, Frank Churchill, visits town and Emma falls for him. Harriet approaches Emma with the declaration that she has fallen in love with another man, however Emma insists that Harriet keep the name to herself due to Emma’s fear of ruining a potential companionship because of her lack of skill of matchmaking. Emma fears that Harriet is in love with Frank, so she revokes her personal feelings for him in order to further Harriet’s chances at obtaining a man of higher class. However, Emma discovers that Frank is already engaged to Jane Fairfax and discloses this information to Harriet. When Harriet is informed of this, she seems disinterested, showing she was in fact not in love with Frank, but rather fallen for Mr. Knightly. Once this information is disclosed, Emma then realizes she is in love with Mr. Knightley as well and
Cited: Austen, Jane. Emma. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1816. Print. Austen (2010): 179-200. Literary Reference Center. EBSCO. Web. 7 Nov. 2010. "Emma.." Bloom 's Modern Critical Interpretations: Emma (1987): 45-66. Literary Reference Center. EBSCO. Web. 7 Nov. 2010. "Emma." Magill Book Reviews (1995): Literary Reference Center. EBSCO. Web. 7 Nov. 2010. Goodheart, Eugene. “Emma: Jane Austen’s Errant Heroine.” 589-604. University of the South, 2008