Understanding Emma
Emma is one of many novels written by the famous British author, Jane Austen. This book was published in 1816 and is considered to be the author's greatest masterpiece.
One of the things that Austen does especially well in her fiction is to create characters that practically come to life on the pages of the book. They are believable, complicated and full of individual flavour. Emma, of course, is no exception.
Austen was once quoted expressing the concern that Emma would become 'a heroine that no one but myself will much like'. Ironically, over the years Emma has become one of the most well-known and discussed female figures in literature.
But, what is it exactly about Emma that has held readers' attention and interest over all these years? To understand the whole of this novel, you must have good insight into the protagonist. The book was given her name for a reason, after all.
FOUR FEATURES OF EMMA
1. Emma is clever. We see examples of Emma's intelligence throughout the novel. Emma is said to be the smartest of her family - though, because of this, it would seem she is more spoiled than well-studied.
Another example of her intelligence is her interest in books. She makes multiple reading lists, though often fails to do the actual reading.
Readers' can see throughout the novel that Emma is bright, but young and in need of guidance.
Can you think of a specific part of the novel where Emma's intelligence was especially useful?
Is Emma intelligent in some ways, though not so clever in others?
Does the time period in which the story is set have an impact on the way in which Emma is treated as an intelligent young woman?
2. Emma has good intentions (most of the time). We see Emma's good intentions throughout the novel. This is displayed in her matchmaking attempts. She seems to genuinely want people to find happiness together.
We can also see her good intentions as she sets out in her relationship with Harriet Smith. Emma means to help Harriet, but she forgets to ask Harriet how she feels.
Can you think of an example when Emma's intentions weren't good?
Can you think of a time when, despite your good intentions, you found yourself in trouble?
Perhaps the author is trying to make a point here not only about Emma's character, but also about what it means to be a helpful person. In order to help someone, as Emma tries to help Harriet, one needs to understand what the other person wants for himself or herself.
3. Emma has an overactive imagination. Emma's imagination is always getting her into mischief. In fact, her imagination is so overactive that it often generates evidence of relationships or feelings that are non-existent.
She employs her overactive imagination on practically everyone in the novel.
Can you think of other times when Emma's imagination got ahead of itself?
Name some things in life for which having an overactive imagination is not necessarily a negative thing, but can instead be a positive thing?
Perhaps Austen is suggesting that imagination is at its best when governed by a good bit of reason.
4. Emma changes by the end of the novel. Like most great characters, Emma grows up or becomes a better person by the end of the novel.
As she matures, she begins to realise that she should spend less time meddling in other people's affairs and more time trying to figure herself out. She decides to stop playing matchmaker for others, and finds love for herself.
Do other figures in the novel change?
What are ways you've changed as you've grown up?
There is an English expression that says, 'The more things change, the more they stay the same.' Consider how this expression applies to Emma. As she changes throughout the novel, what remains constant about her?
Emma has been entertaining and irritating audiences with her quirky ways for years. Much to the surprise of her creator, Jane Austen, it would appear that she's not the only person who's grown attached to Emma. I hope you will too.
