Writting Assignment `Emma`

Emma , by Jane Austen is a classic comic novel that investigates the joys and perils of romance . Emma is a young woman who fancies herself as a matchmaker and attempts to marry off her friends while manoeuvring romance in her own life . It is funny to note that all of Emma 's romantic interests are for her friends and unlike Austen 's other heroine 's Emma has no real desire to marry or change her circumstances . However it is the pairing off of couples and the gossip and talk that surround the romantic

pairings in this novel that display important social issues during this historical time period in Regency England (MacDonagh , O 1993 . There were fairly rigid social classes at the time and though one could marry outside of one 's own class this type of attachment was rare and most likely frowned upon by someone , whether it be family or just an acquaintance

There would not have been much of a story if Emma had not interfered in Harriet 's life by inspiring Harriet to marry above herself . Emma pushes Harriet to fall in love with a variety of men , of which are actually her first and most appropriate choice , Robert Martin . Mr . Elton is disgusted with this suggestion that he should love Harriet as she is below him and he is interested in making an advantageous marriage . He later achieves this with his own marriage . Emma then proceeds to push Harriet towards Frank Churchill but instead she falls in love with Mr Knightley . Both men being much above her in social standing and rank . As Mr Knightley put it so well , she is the natural daughter of no one (Austen , J , 2003 . In the end Harriet 's marriage worked out well as she married within her social sphere , to a respected farmer , whereas if she had married , Mr . Elton , Mr . Churchill or Mr . Knightley this would have been very advantageous for her but not for the men . Ultimately Harriet 's marriage adhered to the social customs of the time

The social connotations of that time are also evident in Frank Churchill and Jane Fairfax 's secret engagement . This attachment was kept secret so not to upset Frank 's aunt as Jane is below Frank in social standing . Jane has poor relations and only was brought up in good fortune due to family friends . This type fo secret engagement was most likely very popular in the regency time , specifically when the individuals are form different social standings . It is initially thought that Frank would marry Emma , as they were from the same background and of the same age and the secret engagement did come as a shock to all The engagement in fact was not brought into the open until Frank 's aunt passed away . Without this marriage Jane Fairfax would have had to become a governess or a companion . Marriage for her really was the only option in to have a happy life

Of the many...