Emma by Jane Austen

In Emma Jane Austen exposes the limitations of the role of women in

her society. Examine Austen’s presentation of what is called in the

novel, women’s usual occupations of eye, and hand, and mind.

Emma – Role of Woman

In Emma Jane Austen exposes the limitations of the role of women in

her society. Examine Austen’s presentation of what is called in the

novel, ‘women’s usual occupations of eye, and hand, and mind’.

In Jane Austen’s society, the role of women was controlled by what was

expected of them. In most cases, marriage was not for love, and was

considered as a business arrangement, in which both partners could

gain status and financial reassurance. Though Austen opposed the idea

of none affectionate marriage, many women of her time disagreed with

this view and felt financial and social security was more important

and suitable for them. Austen presents to us many different types of

women in Emma, which seems as though she is trying to put across her

view on women being able to do and have different opinions, as well as

broadening the idea of becoming adjust to the theme of marrying for

love.

We have our main character Emma, who is a confused young lady, who

refuses the idea of marriage under any case, in the first part of the

novel. She is skilled as a gentlewoman to a certain extent, but has no

worries of marrying, as the estate in which she lives in belongs to

her. She is considered as a very desirable lady, having a high

position, a lot of finance to back her up and a stunning face. Though

she is attempting to join Mr. Elton and Harriet together, her plan

goes dreadfully wrong, ending with a proposal from the vicar, to Emma

herself. She refuses his proposal, and hurts Harriet greatly. Sh...

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...ght up by a

commendable family, but has no financial background to facilitate to a

marriage.

In the novel, we are given a lot of dissimilar women, with different

minds and crafts. It seems as though the narrator is trying to

demonstrate everyone’s similar but different needs, and capability.

Many of the women in this society, learnt a musical instrument, wrote

poetry, or had several different talents. The reason for this would

mainly be that it would be easier for them to achieve a rich, valued

husband. Austen is showing us why women did this, which helps us

understand the pressure in which this society put them under. They had

no qualifications, and were simply there to marry. We can also see

that unless you were blessed into a rich family, your ideas and

believes were not truly heard, maybe not even spoken of, which is

offensive and quite disturbing.