Though social status is the primary consideration for marriages, Austen also admits that love can play an important role. How are they similar? Though Emma’s activities—visits, parties, courtship, and marriage—are limited to the traditional sphere, the novel implicitly -critiques these limitations, and implies that Emma deserves a wider stage on which to exercise her powers. In addition to providing rational commentary for the readers, he also gives Emma advice about the major conflicts of the novel, including Harriet’s relationship to Robert Martin, Emma’s relationship with Mr. Elton, Frank Churchill’s relationship with Jane Fairfax. Approaching GCSE English Paper 1 Question 3 - STRUCTURE. Mr. Knightley also serves as an ideal male romantic figure; although there are other male characters who Emma could marry, Mr. Knightley is the most well-suited to her in terms of temperament and social station. registered in England (Company No 02017289) with its registered office at 26 Red Lion What role does the narrator play in the novel, especially in terms of Emma's characterization? Compare and contrast the characters of Emma and Jane Fairfax. Emma is indeed beautiful, wealthy, and smart. Because this event forces Emma to face her shortcomings, it inspires her eventual development into the kind of woman that Mr. Knightley would want to marry. Please write about Emma's education in Emma. Instead of having good ulterior motives, Emma insults Miss Bates simply out of boredom and sheer meanness. Is Mr. Woodhouse mentally disturbed, or are his opinions based on something else? In most cases, Emma’s bad behavior stems from good intentions. Yet, in “Emma,” Austen describes a heroine who has none of these problems. Over the course of the novel, Emma has several epiphanies about herself and her behavior. Harriet’s search for an appropriate match is presented as an example as this. London WC1R 4HQ. EMMA 1967 Words | 8 Pages. Copyright © 1999 - 2020 GradeSaver LLC. Emma is clever but continually mistaken, kindhearted but capable of callous behavior. Emma Homework Help Questions. Because Harriet is not her equal, Emma embarks on the friendship with the goal of “improving” Harriet, both by making her fit for high society and by finding her a wealthy husband. Moreover, her arrogance and self-involved nature make her a largely unlikable character. Why does Emma feel she is superior to the people around her? Emma’s relationship with Harriet Smith is one of condescension, rather than equality. This set of Lesson Plans consists of approximately 150 pages of tests, essay questions, lessons, and other teaching materials. Ocean Creatures Whole Class Reading Bundle! While Emma is an heiress who enjoys complete financial and social independence, Jane has no fortune and is doomed to work as a governess for other wealthy families. By Emma Hitt Nichols, PhD For people with a science background who want a change from working in clinical practice or a lab. Why does Emma not like Miss Fairfax? Writing Help Suggested Essay Topics Writing Help Suggested ... Emma both questions and upholds traditional class distinctions. Emma is the only Austen heroine who begins the book in a position of wealth and high social status. What matches has Emma made that were successful? Her attitudes and actions are often a detriment to those she believes that she is helping, and her bluntness is often hurtful. It is only after Austen reveals the imperfections in Emma’s life and character that she becomes a more real (and thus more likeable) character. Emma selects Harriet to be her friend specifically because Harriet is NOT her equal, and Emma had already decided that it was futile to look for a replacement for Mrs. Weston. Emma Essay Topics & Writing Assignments Jane Austen This set of Lesson Plans consists of approximately 150 pages of tests, essay questions, lessons, and other teaching materials. Compare and contrast the characters of Mr. Knightley and Frank Churchill. What role does Mr. Knightley play in the novel? In this way, Austen suggests that either Mr. Knightley and Frank Churchill could work as a husband for Emma; in the end, her development as a character will determine who would be the more appropriate choice. For example, in her desire to find an “appropriate” husband for Harriet, Emma encourages Harriet to reject Robert Martin and focus on Mr. Elton, a decision which results in Harriet’s humiliation and Mr. Elton’s proposal of marriage to Emma. Ross, Jeremy. The narrator serves as the voice of judgment and reason in the novel, particularly when it comes to Emma’s character faults. She writes: “Emma Woodhouse, handsome, clever, and rich, with a comfortable home and happy disposition, seemed to unite some of the best blessings of existence; and had lived nearly twenty-one years in the world with very little to distress or vex her.” With her wealth, beauty, and position in society, Emma has the perfect life and is difficult to relate to. Austen explores many different kinds of marriages in the novel, particularly in terms of the way matches figure into the social network of Highbury. Above all, Austen notes, class structure must be upheld, both for the sake of society and for the sake of those within it. Comment . In the case of Emma and Mr. Knightley, both characters are ideal matches in terms of intelligence, weath, and social class, but they also have the added benefit of love. Mr. Knightley and Frank Churchill are presented as almost complete opposites in the novel. The differences between Emma By Jane Austen and The History of Mary Prince By Mary Prince The differences between Emma by Jane Austen, a classical novel, and the autobiographical slave narrative, The History of Mary Prince are many and varied, but what stood out in my mind most prominently was the difference in character development. She is thoughtful, generous, and caring, but she is also snobbish. "Emma Essay Questions". resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel. In essence, the narrator provides objective (and trustworthy) commentary of everything that occurs over the course of the novel. In the end, however, Emma must undergo the same personal development that other Austen characters go through in order to find real happiness. However, both characters possess the appropriate fortune, appearance, and social status to be suitable husbands for Emma. This website and its content is subject to our Terms and These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of Emma by Jane Austen. Describe Emma's relationship with Harriet Smith. Is Emma a likable character? Significantly, Austen ensures that the narration is not dry and boring but reminiscent of an actual character, with a witty and ironic style. Emma, as heroine, is at the top of the social ladder with the rest of her family and Mr. Knightley, while Harriet Smith, Miss Bates, and Robert Martin are at lower levels of respectable society. Square How does the novel portray the issue of class in British society? Emma study guide contains a biography of Jane Austen, literature essays, a complete e-text, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. For example, because Emma has the highest status in her social circle, she is held to a higher standard in terms of the way she treats those around her. The database of research paper topics that can be found there is really huge, so you can find whatever you like. Damien Chazelle and Caitlin Vincent ed. How are they similar? What conclusions does it ultimately make? At the picnic at Box Hill when Emma insults Miss Bates, it seems likely that she has developed into a match for Frank Churchill. The initial tasks focus student attention on significant aspects of each chapter, and build up a full understanding of what Jane Austen is trying to achieve, how she is trying to achieve it, and how successful she has been. Mr. Knightley serves as an extension of this rational narrative voice and helps Emma, in particular, to identify and improve many of her flaws. I'm sorry, did you have a question about the novel, Emma? Tes Global Ltd is Earlier in the novel, Emma had always prided herself on her kindness and good manners; at this point, she comes face to face with her selfishness and disdain for the feelings of others. Her struggles to improve herself and win Mr. Knightley’s heart are efforts that readers can understand and respect. Here’s what you’ll learn about: The skills and background needed for freelance medical writing; The types of clients and work available The initial tasks focus student attention on significant aspects of each chapter, and build up a full understanding of what Jane Austen is trying to achieve, how she is trying to achieve it, and how successful she has been. While Emma is an heiress who enjoys complete financial and social independence, Jane has no fortune and is doomed to work as a governess for other wealthy families. Describe the different marriages that are portrayed in the novel. Emma and Jane Fairfax are equally beautiful, intelligent, talented, and well-bred. All of Emma’s epiphanies about herself are the result of bad behavior relating to those around her. Emma is indeed all of the above. Not affiliated with Harvard College. 1. Yet, after her epiphany, Emma makes an active effort to change and gradually becomes the compassionate and mature woman that is meant to marry Mr. Knightley. Emma and Jane Fairfax are equally beautiful, intelligent, talented, and well-bred. This single contrast between the two characters reveals the extent to which British society was informed by wealthy and social standing. In the end, Jane is saved from her fate through marriage to Frank Churchill, but Austen makes it clear that many women in Jane’s situation would not have been “rescued” by a convenient love affair with a wealthy man. As a result of her interference, Harriet begins to think too highly of herself and is ill-equipped to find a husband on her own level. Emma’s first significant blunder in this regard is elevating Harriet to an inapporpirately-high social level. This 17-page resource is a set of short writing tasks, and formal essay questions in the style of A Level, AP and IB examinations. Even while Austen emphasizes the importance of maintaining social status, however, she still encourages respect between classes. In the end, Robert Martin is the ideal choice because he is at an equal level with her. James Joyce's 'A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man': Study Prompts, A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man: Study Prompts. Mr. Elton’s designs on Emma are similarly inappropriate because of his lower social status; his marriage to Augusta Hawkins (while obnoxious) demonstrates proper social etiquette. In each of these cases, the heroine is real danger of spinsterhood and financial dependence. The characters themselves are unable to recognize larger themes and patterns, so the narrator serves to highlight key points for the benefit of the reader. Mr. Knightley’s major role is as the voice of judgment and reason in the novel. The most significant epiphany, however, stems from Emma’s willful insult of Miss Bates during the picnic at Box Hill. They will provide you with numerous ideas regardless of the kind of research … How are they different? From the very beginning of the novel, Jane Austen makes it clear that Emma may not be a likable character. Although she initially hopes to marry Mr. Elton or Mr. Knightley, both men are inappropriate choice because of their higher positions in society. How does this cause tension between the two... View all Lesson Plans available from BookRags. Character Commodification as a Response to Class Destabilization in Emma, From all Indifferency: The Bias of Selfishness in Jane Austen's Emma, Men, Women, and the Willful Misinterpretation of Female Speech. How are they different? In the end, Emma’s treatment of her new friend is to Harriet’s disadvantage. Why does Mr. Woodhouse's son-in-law have no patience for Mr. Woodhouse's quirks? Who is Emma's next target? GradeSaver, 30 November 2010 Web. Does fear compel Emma's decision? Not only does Harriet become accustomed to an inappropriately-high social status, but she nearly loses the opportunity to marry Robert Martin. How does Emma's interactions with Harriet reveal Emma's own failings as a character? Why does Emma seek out the company of Harriet? Which one is the most significant to the narrative and why? When Emma insults her social inferior, Miss Bates, she breaks a fundamental rule of class interactions which reflects poorly on her own character. Why or why not? Freelance Medical Writing — A Lucrative Work-From-Home Career Choice. The primary different between the two of them is fortune. Why does Emma not allow these people to find love on their own? The primary different between the two of them is fortune. Emma’s attitude toward Harriet demonstrates the extent of her self-absorption: she believes that she is qualified to improve another individual when, as Mr. Knightley later points out, Emma has many issues to resolve on her own. ‘These prompts are a terrific tool for generating class discussions, creating short answer exams, or longer essay assignments. Emma e-text contains the full text of Emma by Jane Austen. Besides that, you can try searching at websites that are made to offer students research paper topics of all kinds. Who is Mr. Woodhouse? Why does Emma change her mind when she finds herself alone with her father? While Mr. Knightley is logical, responsible, and thoughtful (and the character manifestation of the narrator), Frank Churchill is weak, superficial, and manipulative. He is the only character who recognizes Emma’s faults and strives to help her become a better person. 5. Emma may be considered a feminist novel because it focuses upon the struggles and development of a strong, intelligent woman. At a time-saving level, teachers will be relieved of the need to develop their own units of study for the work, and to seek out relevant questions from past examinations. Austen especially cautions against marriages that bridge social classes, arguing that relationships between individuals from different backgrounds are likely to fail. Why does Emma never want to marry? It is only through luck that Emma’s interference does not adversely affect Harriet’s future, and Emma eventually learns the mistake she has made in acting as Harriet’s friend and guide. I have purchased a number of them and am impressed with each one’ (from the LitWorks.com Commendations page). The majority of her other famous characters (Elizabeth Bennet from “Pride and Prejudice,” Catherine Morland in “Northanger Abbey,” Elinor and Marianne Dashwood in “Sense and Sensibility,” and Anne Elliot in “Persuasion”) are in positions of low social standing and use their charm, intelligence, and beauty to find true love (and financial security) through marriage. However, she is also spoiled, meddlesome, and self-deluded. The Question and Answer section for Emma is a great Although Austen permits her heroine to associate with Harriet and Miss Bates, she emphasizes the importance of knowing one’s proper place. The chapter-based questions can, additionally, be used as a basis for class discussion, and the essay topics as an invaluable tool for pre-examination revision and rehearsal. Conditions. Emma essays are academic essays for citation. Austen is very careful to maintain the importance of British class structure in “Emma.” Though it is a small town, Highbury has a very specific social structure that mirrors the larger class system of Britain. This 17-page resource is a set of short writing tasks, and formal essay questions in the style of A Level, AP and IB examinations. How do they support (or not) Jane Austen's view of courtship and marriage? Why does Emma believe herself to be a gifted matchmaker? Who is Emma? What message do you think the novel ultimately conveys about class? Why does Mr. Woodhouse worry about the foods he eats and his overall health? Austen also emphasizes the difficulty for women during the time; even with beauty and intelligence, a woman can still end up a lowly governess if she lacks a fortune.