Emma Jane Austen

“Emma” is a fiction novel published in 1815 by the English author “Jane Austen”. The book centers on the character development of its eponymous protagonist, “Emma Woodhouse”, heiress to the wealth and importance of her father’s mansion, “Hartfield”. She is a genteel young woman on a country estate who meddles in the love lives of friends and neighbors. “Jane Austen” was conscious that her protagonist’s snobbery, vanity, and meddling might make her as “Austen” herself described – a heroine whom no tre but myself will much like.

Like all of the novelist’s novels, “Emma” is a novel of courtship and social manners. The majority of the book focuses on the question of marriage: who will marry whom and for what reasons will they marry: love, practicality, or necessity? At the center of the narration is the title character, “Emma”. Noted for her beauty and cleverness, “Emma” is somewhat wasted in the small village of “Highbury” but takes a great deal of pride in her matchmaking skills. Unique among other women of her age, she has no particular need to marry: she is in the unique situation of not needing a husband to supply her fortune.

This novel is an interesting story of how misunderstood love may turn out to be. Due to misconceptions about love, coupled with insensitivity and static mindset, “Emma” does not seem to understand other people. Hers is a selfish ambition of a perfect matchmaker. However, she fails utterly in matchmaking relationships that never came to be. If only “Emma” were dynamic, she would have realized that this life does not depend entirely on one’s opinions; it is wise to listen; heed advice and change with changing times; that is, be dynamic.

Many readers of “Jane Austen” will agree in thinking that in “Emma” she reached the summit of her literary powers. She has given us quite as charming individual characters both in earlier and later writings, but it is impossible to name a flaw in “Emma”; there is not a page that could with advantage be omitted, nor could any additions improve it