The Importance Of Social Class In Emma By Jane Austen

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Jane Austen depicts a society where social class is the most important aspect and explains the different ways member of society can improve in rank such as marriage, wealth, and inheritance.
In this society, the social class is what differentiates everyone in his or her community. Marriage is one of the main ways to uphold a higher status. Although it is uncommon for members to move up in social class, it is not impossible. It is more common for women to advance in class due to their ability to apply manners, have an education, and accentuate their looks (Palmer). Harriot is a member of lower class that is being mentored by Emma a member of higher society. Emma believes that Harriot is capable of maintaining the expectations of higher class.
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Marriage between different classes are not common, although they are not impossible. As Mr. Knightley has so boldly stated, no good could ever come between mixing the social classes. Although Mr. Knightley is proven correct, Emma still has hope that she can improve women of lower class and make them suitable women (Palmer).
Marriage is perceived differently by different people of different classes. To some people, marriage is their way of hushing the critics. To others, marriage is a way of getting of poverty. To very few people, marriage is about love. Poet W.H. Auden writes about how Jane Austen is in middle class yes she can describe the marriages of upper class perfectly (QTD in Baker). She explains how there is little to no love in a marriage, the marriages of upper class are usually a social marriage (Baker). The people are married because they are two well known members of society that were criticized by society and wanted to put a stop to rumors so they mutually agreed to a marriage. It was well known that if a woman was not married then she will be judged until she dies (Austen 142). People will only stop judging a woman unless she is either dead or married. Getting married gives one a purpose,
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Many things go into play when determining one’s rank such as how much income one 's family is earning, the amount of land one owns, and lastly one 's family connections (Palmer). Of course the amount of income one has will determine how much land they own and how nice their house is so much more. However their wealth is buying their name. It is buying their popularity. For women their wealth will get them all of the necessary material for finding a suitable husband. For instance, a good education, proper manners, and nice cloths. The way a woman is dressed is the first thing that distinguishes them apart, followed by how well their manners are. In Emma, it stated “for the lady was the best judges of the difficulties, and the most solicitous for accommodation and appearance” (Austen 195). The women will judge each other over everything. From the way they walk to how they act, and what they wear. For a man what differentiates them is how much land they own, how their wife acts and is dressed, the clothing they were and who they associate with. Another matter that gives one wealth, is their inheritance. When one inheritance their loved ones things it then moves them on the social scale. It automatically makes them the talk among their class. If the one that has inherited a large sum of wealth, it then makes them one of the most desired person. It has been reiterated in Emma that their are two different

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