Emma: Analysis of Major Characters
"Emma: Analysis of Major Characters" delves into the intricate relationships and character dynamics within Jane Austen's novel "Emma." The central figure, Emma Woodhouse, is portrayed as a wealthy and intelligent young woman who engages in matchmaking, often with misguided results. Her attempts to elevate the status of her friend Harriet Smith lead to various romantic entanglements, including a failed match with the vicar Mr. Elton and a misguided attraction to Frank Churchill, who is secretly engaged to another. The narrative also highlights George Knightley, an honorable family friend, whose candid nature ultimately helps Emma realize her true feelings for him. Other key characters include Harriet, who grapples with Emma's influence and societal expectations, and Jane Fairfax, whose reserved demeanor adds to the complexities of Emma's social circle. Through these relationships, the story explores themes of social status, self-awareness, and the consequences of misguided intentions, culminating in personal growth and resolution for the characters involved. This analysis provides insight into the motivations and transformations of the major characters, offering a deeper understanding of Austen's exploration of human relationships and societal norms.
Emma: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Jane Austen
First published: 1816
Genre: Novel
Locale: Surrey, England
Plot: Domestic realism
Time: Early nineteenth century
Emma Woodhouse, the younger daughter of the wealthy owner of Hartfield and the most important young woman in the village of Highbury. Good-hearted, intelligent, but spoiled, she takes under her protection Harriet Smith, a seventeen-year-old girl of unknown parentage who is at school in the village. Given to matchmaking, Emma breaks up the love affair between Harriet and Robert Martin, a worthy farmer, because she thinks Harriet deserves better; Emma persuades her to fall in love with the vicar, Mr. Elton. To her dismay, Elton proposes to her rather than to Harriet and is indignant when she refuses him. Next, Emma becomes interested in Frank Churchill, an attractive young man who visits his father in Highbury, and thinks him in love with her; but it develops that he is secretly engaged to Jane Fairfax. Emma had never really cared for Churchill, but she thinks him a possible match for Harriet. She becomes really concerned when she discovers that Harriet's new interest is in Mr. Knightley, an old friend of the Woodhouse family. She now realizes that Knightley is the man she has always loved, and she happily accepts his proposal. Harriet marries her old lover, Martin, and the matrimonial problems are solved.
George Knightley, a landowner of the neighborhood, sixteen years Emma's senior, and an old family friend. Honorable, intelligent, and frank, he has always told Emma the truth about herself. When she thinks that he may marry someone else, she realizes that she has always loved him and accepts his proposal.
John Knightley, George's brother, married to Emma's older sister.
Isabella Knightley, nee Woodhouse, John Knightley's wife and Emma's sister, a gentle creature absorbed in her children.
Henry Woodhouse, father of Emma and Isabella, kindly and hospitable but an incurable hypochondriac.
Mr. Weston, a citizen of Highbury who has married Anne Taylor, Emma's former governess.
Anne Weston, nee Taylor, Emma's former governess, a sensible woman whom Emma regards highly.
Frank Churchill, Mr. Weston's son by a former marriage. He has been adopted by and taken the name of his mother's family. His charm attracts Emma briefly, but she is not seriously interested. He is secretly engaged to Jane Fairfax.
Jane Fairfax, a beautiful and accomplished orphan who visits her family in Highbury. Emma admires but cannot like her, finding her too reserved. The mystery of her personality is solved when it is learned that she is engaged to Churchill.
Mrs. Bates and Miss Bates, grandmother and aunt of Jane Fairfax. Poor but worthy women, they are intolerably loquacious and boring.
Harriet Smith, the illegitimate daughter of a tradesman. Young, pretty, and impressionable, she is taken up by Emma Woodhouse, rather to her disadvantage, for Emma gives her ideas above her station. She is persuaded to refuse the proposal of Robert Martin and to believe that Mr. Elton, the vicar, is in love with her. When Elton proves to be interested in Emma, Harriet is deeply chagrined. After considering the possibility of Harriet as a match for Churchill, Emma finds to her dismay that Harriet is thinking of Knightley. This discovery makes Emma realize how much she has always loved him. After Emma and Knightley are engaged, Harriet is again proposed to by Robert Martin; she happily marries him.
Robert Martin, the honest young farmer who marries Harriet Smith.
Reverend Philip Elton, vicar of the parish. A conceited, silly man, he proposes to Emma Woodhouse, who has thought him in love with Harriet Smith. Emma's refusal makes him her enemy.
Augusta Elton, née Hawkins, the woman Elton marries after being refused by Emma. She is vulgar, pretentious, and officious.