Emma Jane Austen Flashcards
“The real evils, indeed, of Emma’s situation were the power of having rather too much her own way, and a disposition to think a little too well of herself: these were the disadvantages which threatened alloy to her many enjoyments.”
Themes: Marriage, Social class, comic blindness
Foreshadows Emma’s behaviour later in the novel (control over Harriet, flirting with Frank, matchmaking)
“[Emma] was not struck by any thing remarkably clever in Miss Smith’s conversation, but she found her altogether very engaging—not inconveniently shy, not unwilling to talk—and yet so far from pushing, shewing so proper and becoming a deference, seeming so pleasantly grateful for being admitted to Hartfield, and so artlessly impressed by the appearance of every thing in so superior a style to what she had been used to, that she must have good sense and deserve encouragement. . . . She would notice her; she would improve her; she would detach her from her bad acquaintance, and introduce her into good society; she would form her opinions and her manners. It would be an interesting, and certainly a very kind undertaking; highly becoming her own situation in life, her leisure, and powers.”
Themes: social class, comic blindness
Emma’s position in society vs Harriet’s puts her in a position of control, the idea she’s socially better than Harriet and she’s doing Harriet a favour ‘improving her’
“A young farmer, whether on horseback or on foot, is the very last sort of person to raise my curiosity. The yeomanry are precisely the order of people with whom I feel I can have nothing to do. A degree or two lower, and a creditable appearance might interest me; I might hope to be useful to their families in some way or other. But a farmer can need none of my help, and is therefore in one sense as much above my notice as in every other he is below it.”
Themes: mockery, cruelty, social class
[emma speaking], control over Harriet’s love life, despite Robert Martin being a suitable social match for Harriet Emma wants to ‘improve’ Harriet by having her marry above her social ranking (Elton), this causes the domino effect that produces comic moments within the book
“I think [Harriet Smith] the very worst sort of companion that Emma could possibly have. She knows nothing herself, and looks upon Emma as knowing every thing. She is a flatterer in all her ways; and so much the worse, because undesigned. Her ignorance is hourly flattery. How can Emma imagine she has any thing to learn herself, while Harriet is presenting such a delightful inferiority? And as for Harriet, I will venture to say that she cannot gain by the acquaintance. Hartfield will only put her out of conceit with all the other places she belongs to. She will grow just refined enough to be uncomfortable with those among whom birth and circumstances have placed her home. I am much mistaken if Emma’s doctrines give any strength of mind, or tend at all to make a girl adapt herself rationally to the varieties of her situation in life.—They only give a little polish.”
Themes: social class, comic observer
[George knightly] observes Emma’s intentions as cruel and misguided, Emma’s lack of understanding of the lower class reflects in her actions to try and raise Harriet’s social class despite the thoughts of others.
