Cinderella Theme

The modern romantic comedy often relies on the Cinderella effect: a member of the highest class just happens to fall in love with a member of a lower class, resulting in the fairytale ending where everyone gets rich (by mere coincidence). Back in Jane Austen’s day, women used marriage as a tool for socioeconomic independence and advancement, or “the usual inducements of women to marry” (84). A person’s class determined marriage opportunities, and one had to choose the logical (not romantic) option. Every woman needed to marry in order to gain independence from her father, which is where the disorder of Austen’s novel, Emma, comes in. At first Austen provides the illusion of romance (love overcoming socioeconomic boundaries) and Emma’s eternal

Robert Martin, a decent individual, believes himself in love with the relatively dim, but sweet, pretty, and kind young lady who spent a summer at his farm. Harriet Smith spends her time with the glorious Miss Woodhouse, though she lacks any status or sufficient funds as an illegitimate child. Mr. Martin, on the other hand, possesses the manners of a “true” gentleman, but lacks the socioeconomic standing. While Harriet fancies Mr. Elton and Mr. Knightley at different points (thanks to Emma’s encouragement), she can only end up with the respectable Mr. Martin. With their union at the end the novel, neither one reaches beyond their means and all opportunities for a Cinderella story are laid to

Knightley and Emma. Neither one lacked any financial or residential necessity (unlike all of the previous married-off women mentioned), and both were respected by all in Highbury. However, Emma’s rebellion against marriage had to be resolved. As Casey Finch and Peter Bowen explain, “the heroine must renounce her manipulative tendencies so that the novel itself can realize its own manipulations” (553). When Emma realizes her mistake (denying her love for Mr. Knightley and distracting herself by meddling with others’ love lives), all the pieces fall into place. The “right” people end up together and no young woman is left without a home. Mr. Knightley must marry someone sometime as a wealthy gentleman, and the only person who would not rob Emma’s nephew of his inheritance is Emma herself. On a financial level, it is in the best interests of the owner of Donwell Abbey and the maiden of Hartfield to join forces. Their relationship would be very much a Cinderella story if they were not both rich (Emma is slightly lower due to being young and female, though). They by no means have to reach down, either in character or financial status. Austen uses love as an excuse, but in reality it could be no other way, as the characters themselves