Free Indirect Discourse In Jane Austen's Emma
THE IRONY OF SOCIAL STATUS THROUGH MARRIAGE
Since the beginning of mankind, all societies throughout history have been structured unequally. Naturally, wealthier individuals reside high up on the social ladder, and peasants and slaves on the bottom. Society says that where you are born, or whom you are born to, affects an individual for their whole life. In Jane Austen 's novel Emma, the realities of social hierarchy and social mobility are challenged through various forms of narrative. Austen creates a network of relationships throughout the community of Highbury through seemingly unimportant conversations to explicit declarations of feelings with her use of free indirect discourse. The novel revolves around the main character, Emma and her …show more content…
Knightley as her social equal, which is why she is ultimately able to consider his opinions and perceptions of her character. If he were not within her social sphere, she would never give credence to his ideas. In fact, as the reader can clearly see, Mr. Knightley is the only character in the novel equal to the task of showing Emma the error of her ways. Emma 's next significant blunder becomes a huge turning point as the results shake her conscience. At Box Hill, when Miss Bates prepares to say three "very dull" things, Emma snidely remarks, "Pardon me-but you will be limited as to number-only three at once" (256)". Though Emma claims that she does not realize the negative connotations surrounding her comment, the insult is far too cruel to be ironic. When reprimanding Emma, Mr. Knightley argues Miss Bates ' sensitivity and vulnerability, "She is poor; she has sunk from the comforts she was born to; and, if she live to old age, must probably sink more. Her situation should secure your compassion" (259). When she finally accepts the awareness of her wrongdoings, Emma is "vexed beyond what could have been expressed" (259). This contrasts with the Emma in the beginning of the novel, who has lived "nearly twenty-one years in the world with very little to distress or vex her" (5). Though Emma has expressed remorse periodically throughout the novel, she finally comes face to face with the cruelty (whether intentional or unintentional) of her behavior and the rigidity of the social structure. She was "most forcibly struck. The truth of his representation there was no denying. She felt it at her heart" (259). Austen 's usage of the words "struck," "truth," and "heart" indicates a new, deeper realization in Emma 's
Since the beginning of mankind, all societies throughout history have been structured unequally. Naturally, wealthier individuals reside high up on the social ladder, and peasants and slaves on the bottom. Society says that where you are born, or whom you are born to, affects an individual for their whole life. In Jane Austen 's novel Emma, the realities of social hierarchy and social mobility are challenged through various forms of narrative. Austen creates a network of relationships throughout the community of Highbury through seemingly unimportant conversations to explicit declarations of feelings with her use of free indirect discourse. The novel revolves around the main character, Emma and her …show more content…
Knightley as her social equal, which is why she is ultimately able to consider his opinions and perceptions of her character. If he were not within her social sphere, she would never give credence to his ideas. In fact, as the reader can clearly see, Mr. Knightley is the only character in the novel equal to the task of showing Emma the error of her ways. Emma 's next significant blunder becomes a huge turning point as the results shake her conscience. At Box Hill, when Miss Bates prepares to say three "very dull" things, Emma snidely remarks, "Pardon me-but you will be limited as to number-only three at once" (256)". Though Emma claims that she does not realize the negative connotations surrounding her comment, the insult is far too cruel to be ironic. When reprimanding Emma, Mr. Knightley argues Miss Bates ' sensitivity and vulnerability, "She is poor; she has sunk from the comforts she was born to; and, if she live to old age, must probably sink more. Her situation should secure your compassion" (259). When she finally accepts the awareness of her wrongdoings, Emma is "vexed beyond what could have been expressed" (259). This contrasts with the Emma in the beginning of the novel, who has lived "nearly twenty-one years in the world with very little to distress or vex her" (5). Though Emma has expressed remorse periodically throughout the novel, she finally comes face to face with the cruelty (whether intentional or unintentional) of her behavior and the rigidity of the social structure. She was "most forcibly struck. The truth of his representation there was no denying. She felt it at her heart" (259). Austen 's usage of the words "struck," "truth," and "heart" indicates a new, deeper realization in Emma 's