Jane Austen
This essay shall explore Jane Austen's novel, Emma. Jane Austen's writings were greatly influenced by the society she came from. She grew up in the Victorian era whereby the status of women was very limited. Women could not vote, they received inferior education to their male counterparts and were limited to domestic occupations (Williams in Marshall & Williams 2002:5). This is the context in which Emma was written. Emma highlights the idea that women have only two good choices in society - to get married or become a governess (Parkinson in Cookson & Loughrey 1988:24). This essay shall examine the character of Emma with particular reference to the idea that Emma has 'a mind delighted with its own ideas' (Austen 1994:19). The characters of Harriet and Jane will be used to show how Emma's ideas are often not based on reality but on her own preconceived ideas. This essay will also show how Emma later matures into a more unassuming and thoughtful woman who is able to love. Emma is a novel about the "social significance of courtship and marriage" (Schorer in Lodge 1978:173). The novel revolves around Emma, a clever, handsome heiress who lives with her widowed father. Emma goes against the preconceived notions of women in the Victoria
Emma makes another mistake by "misreading Elton's affections and overestimating Harriet's worth" (Gibson in Cookson & Loughrey 1988:70). She also does not consider the consequences of her actions. She even accepts the match between Harriet and Robert (something she would never have done if she had not changed). Emma is shocked at this news as she herself in Chapter 14 had considered Frank a suitable marriage partner even though she had never met him. She had also convinced herself that Jane could be having a relationship with Mr. She still misperceives people's feelings, forms prejudicial attitudes about people and convinces herself that her ideas are correct (Gill & Gregory 2003:268). Knightley arrives back in Highbury (to comfort her after Frank's engagement), Emma & him finally become engaged. As argued by Parkinson (in Cookson & Loughrey 1988:23), she makes "categorical statements based on very little evidence" and "tailors her arguments to her own wishes". Harriet was however referring to Mr. She thus arrives at conclusions based on what she believes rather then on reason or knowledge (Jones 1987:57). She was quite concerned and ashamed, and resolved to do such things no more" (Austen 1994:105). She manipulates Harriet to refuse Mr. Emma is however sometimes misguided.
Common topics in this essay:
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Acceptance Essays
