Marriage and Social Status in Jane Austen's Emma - Research Paper Example

Marriage and social status in Jane Austen’s “Emma” Jane Austen’s ‘Emma’ portrays a range of social values that are characteristic of these modern times. Social values are honored attributes in any particular society. Meanwhile, books and other texts are the media through which this kind of information is passed to the new generations. In this novel, it is determined that the class system and the position of a person in the society was a fundamental aspect of social values (Byrne, 28). It is in light of that aspect that the novel has a conventional construction and reflects this social value. It also talks about social concepts such as knowing one’s self mean knowing one’s place. In addition, the social classes seem to be the main cause of conflicts in this novel, and this is portrayed in virtually all the actions of the characters. This paper seeks to unearth these characteristics by focusing on the social status of the characters and find out how it affects marriages portrayed in this novel. As the writer talks about misconstrued romance, she brings in a variety of characters to help her pass the message across to the audience. She does this by using satirical devices in trying to articulate what she believes about what responsibilities in this society. She thus knows what certain classes of people in the social order should carry out. This is evident in the novel when she discourages Harriet to get involved with Martin because of his employment. When the kindhearted Miss Bates speaks bleakly, she is extremely quick to insult her (Austen, 23). Therefore, this judgmental mind of Emma has a strong influence on so many characters in this novel. This is because it leads to a number of mistakes that eventually affect the lives of others. One of the characters is Emma Woodhouse who is the central character of the story. Although she is compassionate to the poor, she has a strong sense of class. This is portrayed in the many ways in which she tries to influence the decisions of others to match with class. However, her social space is filled with different kinds of populace who have shaped her view of marriage in a number of ways. Therefore, she has decided not to marry which is a contrast to her interest in match making for her friends (Austen, 27). However, this only lasts until jealousy takes the day to make her realize that she loved her long time friend. This shows how marriage and social status are intertwined in the life of Emma. This is because Emma is only interested with the high class, and this is shown in the way she pursued Frank Churchill’s love for her. Therefore, this indicates that even though social classes exist, it only love that yields to marriage. Therefore, the match making interests of Emma are doomed in the end. This is why Emma maneuvers have not lived to see the light of day. Nevertheless, George Knightly who is the only critic of Emma, the principal character, is subdued by jealousy in his quest to criticize Emma (Sorokin, 455). However, this only tells of the societal values that are a duty for each member to honor. However, social constructions are still the order of the day in this society. This is when George warns Emma against inciting Harriet against the Mr. Martin just because he is a farmer and, therefore, does not fit court her friend. However, her option for Harriet is still a high opinionated man who thinks that Harriet is too inferior for him. By opting to propose to Emma, it is a clear indication that Mr. Elton wants a woman who would meet his class. However, he never succeeds, for Emma has an eye for another suitor who fits her requirements for an ideal man. At this instant, it is undoubtedly clear that class is causing a havoc in most of the relationships in this society. This is because of the varied preferences of characters. However, marriage takes them back to realize that, it is not all about class that counts, but the one you love. Therefore, characters like Frank Churchill and Jane come out as the ideal female and male of almost everyone in the society. In a woman’s perspective, Frank has the seemingly most of the features that a character like Emma admires. This is the only man that Emma wants to have a loving relationship with because of class. Nevertheless, Jane is an ideal woman of the society who manages to grasp the admiration of Emma. These social classes have affected the relationships of this community resulting on class being the frame of reference for a probable marriage partner (Byrne, 48). Class is also portrayed in the way Mr. Henry Woodhouse views some foods to be the preserve of the rich. Nevertheless, this is augmented by his duet considerations because of his health; he extends this to others by advising them to keep off such foods. He, therefore, views marriage as a change which she dislikes, and thus sad about leaving his daughters Isabella and Taylor (Austen, 102). At the tail end, Harriet smith gets to bring out the true meaning of social values in marriage. His involvement with Knightly after turning down Martins proposal and being rejected by Elton makes Emma realize the love she has for knightly. Class is just a social construction, and not something to employ when looking for a marriage partner. This results in Harriet marrying Martin and Emma courting Knightly. Sorokin, (455) asserts that marriage will soon lose the power that had in having the dominant role in relationships. This is because of the change in people’s view of a marriage resulting from the weakness of social norms. Statistics indicate that numbers of late marriage and unmarried people have increased since the 1960s. Moreover, nearly half of all the marriages end up in divorce cases as compared to former years Byrne, 134. Therefore, despite Emma’s popularity in her own village, she is not aware that the world was changing. Therefore, in her mind, respectable families connect with similar families in respect of wealth. This is why at some point she refuses to go to Miss Bates invitation to alleviate the danger of falling in love with a low class man. In the second chapter of this novel, the marriage of Captain Weston to Miss Churchill delicately mirrors the importance of class in this society. This is because it is Churchill’s captain job that enabled him to marry his wife, for before he got the job he was just a general man. However, the class system is depicted in the reactions of his brother and wife who had not seen him but were happy after all. It is evident that it is what the society expected of him given his elevated status. In addition, is the statement of Mr., Knightly towards the involvement of Emma in Harriet’s matters. This harsh statement emanating from the Knightly who is a social compass of the novel tells of the significance of social class in this society. This concept is also emphasized further by Emma’s assertion that Harriet is superior to Martin. For these functions to bring out Emma’s character of Mrs. know it all, it shows the significance of class when it comes to matters of marriage in this society. Therefore, Austen explores many different kinds of marriage in this novel. This is particularly in the way she matches the figure into the Highbury set-up. Austen, therefore, cautions against marriages across social classes terming them as bound to fail. This is emphasized by Harriet’s search for an appropriate partner. Even, though, she had hoped to marry Elton or knightly after refusing Martin, he finds out that both men are not her match. Finally, she settles for Martin who belongs with her in the same class. In addition, is Mr. Elton moves on Emma that are thwarted because of his class in comparison to Emma’s elevated class. However, his subsequent marriage to Augusta Hawkins just define it more explicitly. Therefore, in this society, for a marriage to be successful, class is of significant value and love an added advantage. Therefore, the narrator is a voice of reason especially through the depiction of Emma’s flaws. The narrator functions to help Emma to identify and improve on her flaws. Therefore, the issue of class in this novel is evident when it comes to marriages in the British society of those days (Byren, 56). Therefore, Emma is the central character here who holds the top most position in the social ladder together with the rest of her family and Knightly. Nevertheless, Harriet, miss bates and martins form the lower social class. Even though Austen associates Emma with Harriet, it is through this that she communicates to the audience of the importance of knowing ones class. However, apart from emphasizing on the importance of maintaining social class, the narrator also encourages respect within classes. This depicted in the effect of action of Emma insulting Miss Bates had on her character. With all said and done, Austen clarifies that class structure should be upheld not only for the societal sake but also for the individuals within the society. References Austen, Jane. Emma. Atlanta, Wild Jot Press. 2009. Print. Byrne, Paul. Jane Austen’s Emma: a source book. London, Routledge, 2004. Print. Sorokin, Aleksanndrovich. Social and cultural dynamics: a study of change in major systems of art, truth, ethics, law, and social relationships. New Jersey, Transaction Publishers, 1957.Print. Read More