Class structure is a constant source of tension in Jane Austen’s works, and her novel Emma is no exception. While the plot line of Emma may be seen as challenging the class structure, the eventual pairings and ending make it clear that the novel actually defends this social hierarchy. This endorsement of class structure can be exemplified by three of the marriages in the novel, Harriet Smith to Robert Martin, Mr. Weston to Miss Anne Taylor, and Emma Woodhouse to George Knightley. These marriages are all socially acceptable and the happiness between the couples is an indicator that marrying within one’s rank is essential to a happy relationship. The only couple that can be seen as challenging the class structure is Jane Fairfax and Frank Churchill,
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Weston’s two marriages are vastly different from each other, mainly due to the social standing of his wives. His first wife, the former Miss Churchill, was from a higher social class than Mr. Weston. Her maladjustment to his way of living caused her to be unhappy in their marriage and is an example Austen places to illustrate that marriage should be a union between two individuals of the same social rank. Austen goes as far as to state “It was an unsuitable connection, and did not produce much happiness” (Austen, 13). In contrast, Mr. Weston’s second marriage is to a woman who is lower in rank than him, but they are of closer social classes. He thinks to himself that this connection is “the pleasantest proof of it being a great deal better to chuse than to be chosen, to excite gratitude than to feel it” (Austen, 14). This statement can be applied to the social hierarchy at the time, it was much more acceptable for a woman to marry up than down, as she would be the one who would have to change her lifestyle based on her husband. This is true of all the main marriages in Emma with the exception of Emma and Mr. Knightley who are equal, Harriet is lower socially than Robert Martin, Miss Anne Taylor is lower than Mr. Weston, and Jane Fairfax is lower than Frank Churchill. However, although these women come from lower social standings than their husbands, they are close enough that it defends the social hierarchy of the …show more content…
Knightley exemplifies the social structure within the novel. At the beginning of the novel, Emma is certain that she will never marry, she has her own fortune, her independence, and nothing except an exceeding superior gentleman could persuade her to give those things up. As Emma is a member of the highest societal class in Highbury, she does not have many eligible bachelors. Although Mr. Elton propositions her, he is of a lower social class and she does not even consider him. The only bachelor she considers throughout the novel is Frank Churchill, but even he is not impressive enough to cause her to form a true attachment to him. Mr. Knightley is the only bachelor worthy of Emma, in both character and station, and this is made apparent when Emma realizes, “she had never been more sensible of Mr. Knightley’s high superiority of character” (Austen, 378). By marrying Mr. Knightley, Emma upholds the social structure she was attempting to break when matchmaking Harriet with men above her
Weston’s two marriages are vastly different from each other, mainly due to the social standing of his wives. His first wife, the former Miss Churchill, was from a higher social class than Mr. Weston. Her maladjustment to his way of living caused her to be unhappy in their marriage and is an example Austen places to illustrate that marriage should be a union between two individuals of the same social rank. Austen goes as far as to state “It was an unsuitable connection, and did not produce much happiness” (Austen, 13). In contrast, Mr. Weston’s second marriage is to a woman who is lower in rank than him, but they are of closer social classes. He thinks to himself that this connection is “the pleasantest proof of it being a great deal better to chuse than to be chosen, to excite gratitude than to feel it” (Austen, 14). This statement can be applied to the social hierarchy at the time, it was much more acceptable for a woman to marry up than down, as she would be the one who would have to change her lifestyle based on her husband. This is true of all the main marriages in Emma with the exception of Emma and Mr. Knightley who are equal, Harriet is lower socially than Robert Martin, Miss Anne Taylor is lower than Mr. Weston, and Jane Fairfax is lower than Frank Churchill. However, although these women come from lower social standings than their husbands, they are close enough that it defends the social hierarchy of the …show more content…
Knightley exemplifies the social structure within the novel. At the beginning of the novel, Emma is certain that she will never marry, she has her own fortune, her independence, and nothing except an exceeding superior gentleman could persuade her to give those things up. As Emma is a member of the highest societal class in Highbury, she does not have many eligible bachelors. Although Mr. Elton propositions her, he is of a lower social class and she does not even consider him. The only bachelor she considers throughout the novel is Frank Churchill, but even he is not impressive enough to cause her to form a true attachment to him. Mr. Knightley is the only bachelor worthy of Emma, in both character and station, and this is made apparent when Emma realizes, “she had never been more sensible of Mr. Knightley’s high superiority of character” (Austen, 378). By marrying Mr. Knightley, Emma upholds the social structure she was attempting to break when matchmaking Harriet with men above her