Emma's Representation Of Women In Emma By Jane Austen

The novels of Jane Austen contain numerous character-studies. She shows a much greater skill in portrayal of women than that of men. The special quality of her portrayal of women is that she individualizes them, and differentiates each from the others. Her women characters are drawn from inside and with a surer familiarity and insight. Her complete, intimate knowledge of feminine psychology accounts for the greater perfection and lifelikeness of her female portraits. Jane Austen’s portrayal of women in Emma is highly successful, as in her other novels. Emma has a large variety of women characters. Each of the women is individualized and really made to live. It is, indeed, remarkable, that so many women have not only been incorporated into

The circumstances of Harriet’s life – her illegitimacy and her lack of any real accomplishments leave her no option but to be happy in the very sensible and appropriate match with Mr. Robert Martin .But sweet ,docile and timid Harriet considers it a great favour to be patronised by Emma and in her anxiety to please Emma, she sets aside her own inclinations and refuses Robert Martin’s proposal at Emma’s behest .Emma’s snobbery, her conceit, her patronising and interfering attitude are all revealed in her relationship with Harriet. Encouraged by Emma to have notions above her, Harriet has to face the disappointment of losing both Elton and Mr. knightly as prospective husbands and eventually without the domineering influence of Emma is able to give her assent to Robert Martin’s proposal. She is passive and docile and does not stand up to Emma’s interference but this may be forgiven in view of her background. Jane Austen portrays Harriet Smith sympathetically and even Emma praises Harriet Smith’s “true tenderness of heart” which prevents her from blaming Emma for any of her own disappointments. Harriet Smith is a realistic portrayal of the simple, docile and somewhat stupid woman of poor circumstances and yet she functions as a foil too. It is through her that much of Emma’s cleverness, capacity to delude herself, high-handedness and snobbery are