Emma Report Topic 4
Paper II Preparation Report on Emma by Jane Austen Topic 4
“Consider the female characters in the novel. Discuss and characterize in terms of themes and relation to the protagonist.”
Prepared by Abigail Boursiquot, Jennifer Fliesser, Katharine Christie & Shaima Kaka
I. Introduction to Characters and Theme
Female Characters
Thematic Topics ❏ Emma Woodhouse ❏ Miss Bates
❏ Importance of social class
❏ Lack of creative/intellectual freedom
❏ Harriet Smith
❏ Jane Fairfax
❏ Socially acceptable matches
❏ Assumptions & miscommunications
❏ Mrs. Weston
❏ Mrs. Elton
❏ Importance of marriage in 19th ❏ Restricted roles of women
❏ Isabella Knightley
❏ Mrs. Churchill century England
II. Defining Characteristics of Emma Woodhouse
■ Intellectually Capable/Independent
○ Austen explicitly characterizes Emma as intellectually capable, surpassing the intellect of those around her.
➢ “[...] her father [...] was no companion for her. He could not meet her in conversation [...]” (8)
○ Emma is stubborn in her beliefs and cannot be deterred by Miss Taylor, her father or Mr. Knightley.
➢ “[...] doing just what she liked; highly esteeming Miss Taylor’s judgement, but directed chiefly by her own.” (1)
■ ClassConscious
○ Emma’s high status allows her to judge based on societal position. Feeling obliged to “refine” Harriet, she disapproves Mr. Martin’s request for Harriet’s hand in marriage.
➢ “Highbury [...] in spite of its separate lawns [...] and name [...] afforded her no equals.” (3)
➢ “You banished to AbbeyMill Farm! You confined to the society of the illiterate and vulgar all your life!” (47)
○ Emma is jealous of Jane Fairfax’s civility because it is atypical of a lower class woman.
■ Deluded
○ Emma is deluded in her assumptions as she applies her intelligence to matchmaking. Emma is convinced that
Elton is perfect for Harriet, when he is obviously admiring Emma. Her delusions further
“Consider the female characters in the novel. Discuss and characterize in terms of themes and relation to the protagonist.”
Prepared by Abigail Boursiquot, Jennifer Fliesser, Katharine Christie & Shaima Kaka
I. Introduction to Characters and Theme
Female Characters
Thematic Topics ❏ Emma Woodhouse ❏ Miss Bates
❏ Importance of social class
❏ Lack of creative/intellectual freedom
❏ Harriet Smith
❏ Jane Fairfax
❏ Socially acceptable matches
❏ Assumptions & miscommunications
❏ Mrs. Weston
❏ Mrs. Elton
❏ Importance of marriage in 19th ❏ Restricted roles of women
❏ Isabella Knightley
❏ Mrs. Churchill century England
II. Defining Characteristics of Emma Woodhouse
■ Intellectually Capable/Independent
○ Austen explicitly characterizes Emma as intellectually capable, surpassing the intellect of those around her.
➢ “[...] her father [...] was no companion for her. He could not meet her in conversation [...]” (8)
○ Emma is stubborn in her beliefs and cannot be deterred by Miss Taylor, her father or Mr. Knightley.
➢ “[...] doing just what she liked; highly esteeming Miss Taylor’s judgement, but directed chiefly by her own.” (1)
■ ClassConscious
○ Emma’s high status allows her to judge based on societal position. Feeling obliged to “refine” Harriet, she disapproves Mr. Martin’s request for Harriet’s hand in marriage.
➢ “Highbury [...] in spite of its separate lawns [...] and name [...] afforded her no equals.” (3)
➢ “You banished to AbbeyMill Farm! You confined to the society of the illiterate and vulgar all your life!” (47)
○ Emma is jealous of Jane Fairfax’s civility because it is atypical of a lower class woman.
■ Deluded
○ Emma is deluded in her assumptions as she applies her intelligence to matchmaking. Emma is convinced that
Elton is perfect for Harriet, when he is obviously admiring Emma. Her delusions further
Cited: Austen, Jane. Emma. Ware: Wordsworth Editions, 1994. Print. Burchall, Diana. "Eyeing Mrs. Elton: Learning Through Pastiche." Jane Austen Society of North America. Web. 8 Dec. 2014. http://www.jasna.org/persuasions/online/vol30no2/birchall.html. "Character Analysis of Emma and Mrs. Elton." Anthology of Ideas. Web. 8 Dec. 2014. "KnowledgeNote Study Guide Emma." Proquest Learning Literature. Web. 8 Dec. 2014. Morris, Ivor. "The Enigma of Harriet Smith." Jane Austen Society of North America. Web. 8 Dec. 2014. http://www.jasna.org/persuasions/online/vol26no1/morris.htm.