Character Study of Emma and Someone else; Maximum of three characters

[Student Name]
[College Name]
[Course No/Title]
[Date]
Comparison of Emma, Jane and Mr. Knightley:
A Look at Society and Social Darwinism
Introduction
Literature has always been an excellent medium for analyzing and scrutinizing the way society works. Indeed, through characters, both fictional and true to life, are able to portray, romanticize, emphasize, or even mock society. The works of Jane Austen are perhaps one of the greatest examples of this, wherein even though Austen lived in an era much more conservative than today`s modern society, the essential points she has raised in her works still apply today. The novel Emma is Austen`s longest, and perhaps most comprehensive exploration of the society in which man lives in.
On the other hand, Austen`s society is perhaps one of periods that most experienced the effect of Social Darwinism. Social Darwinism involves the theory that the principles of Darwin in biological evolution can also be applied to the evolution of the society and politics (Williams 186). This theory asserts that like the processes involved in biological evolution, there are also natural forces that affect the development and evolution of the human society. Darwin`s main principle in evolution involves the phrase "survival of the fittest", wherein the species that are most able to adapt to their environment is able to dominate over weaker species unable to adapt. These strong species then survive, and the weak perish (Claeys 224).
In relation, this paper will then attempt to analyze society in terms of marriage, prejudice, the social status of men and women, and the Social Darwinist Theory, by looking at and comparing the character of Emma in relation to two other characters in the story, Jane Fairfax and Mr. Knightley. More importantly, this paper will attempt to prove that through the character of Emma, Austen was able to portray the negative effects of Social Darwinism. This paper will first compare the characters of Emma and Jane, but a brief background for each will be first presented. Afterwards, the comparison of the characters will be then discussed. This will be followed by the comparison of Emma to Mr. Knightley.
Character Study and Comparison of Emma and Jane
Emma (Woodhouse) is the protagonist of Austen`s novel of the same title. She was introduced to the reader as a "handsome, clever, and rich (woman), with a comfortable and happy disposition" (Austen 1). Nearly 21 years old, Emma has lived a wonderful life with very little to vex or distress her. However, as much as Emma is blessed with good qualities, these blessing may actually have served as a curse for her, since the said qualities caused her to be vain and to think of herself a little too well. This vanity, coupled by her stubbornness in almost all matters in life led to three of the major conflicts in the story.
First, believing that Harriet must marry a gentleman, she encourages her to refuse the proposal of the man she loves and expect the attentions of Mr. Elton. Ironically, Mr. Elton is actually besotted with Emma, but Emma, believing in her superior abilities to perceive the thoughts and regards of others, convinced Harriet that Elton`s bashfulness is something that can be interpreted as his interest in Harriet (74). However, as Wright pointed out, Emma was a victim of her own delusions (142). Next, another mistake Emma committed was she flirted with Frank Churchill, even though she always claimed a commitment to staying single. This false commitment also led to her third mistake, which made her realize belatedly that she was actually in love with Mr. Knightley (407).
Interestingly, these faults of Emma make her somewhat endearing to the reader, especially as she begins to realize her mistakes and gain humility. However, in the course of the story, the reader is see-sawed back and forth between irritation and sympathy for Emma. Such contrast makes Emma such a multidimensional character that she is able to make the story both interesting and filled with moral.
On the other hand, Jane Fairfax is the niece of Miss Bates, a family friend of the Woodhouse family. Jane was introduced in the story as a subject of conversation, during which Emma makes the reader believe that Jane is a bore (73). Indeed, since the story was presented through Emma`s point of view, the reader first comes to believe Emma`s interpretation that Jane is a snob and is uninteresting because of her reserve. However, as the story progressed, Jane gradually opens up and she is revealed to be a kind-hearted and interesting woman. As Jane begins to betray more emotions, she and Emma became "friends", although Emma continued to dislike her.
This dislike may stem from various reasons including the fact that Jane represents an adversary in almost everything, including beauty and talent, except for birth and prospects (Smith 237). In fact, Jane`s lack of wealth is one of her major concerns, since unlike Emma, she does not have financial security. Thus, Jane either has to wed, or find a post as a governess as her means of living. However, she was saved at the later part of the story when she married Frank Churchill, who has also inherited a large amount of property and business.
In terms of her feelings for Frank, Jane`s passionate nature is somewhat of a contrast to her delicate sense of decorum. In fact, these contrasts are more dramatic than those experienced by Emma, even after she acknowledges her feelings for Mr. Knightley. Thus, the revelation of Jane`s secret engagement to Frank is an invaluable window that allowed the reader a glimpse of Jane`s humanity and passionate side.
Jane is presented in the book as Emma`s equal and rival, although Emma has an advantage of rank and wealth. Still, in terms of beauty and talent, it was revealed that Jane is equal to Emma, and in fact, when asked to play the piano, it was revealed that Emma is not nearly as good as Jane (205). Nevertheless, Jane is comparable to Emma in most ways, and this likeness may be part of the reason why Emma immediately disliked her. In fact, Emma`s first description of Jane was "she tires me to death" (73).
However, Mr. Knightley provided another angle as to why Emma dislikes Jane. According to him, Emma disliked Jane because she saw in Jane "a really accomplished young woman, which she wanted to be thought herself" (176). Although Emma initially rejected this idea, there were moments in her musings when she thought that the idea had its merits. Nonetheless, these two females were able to reveal a significant social issue during their period. This issue involves the fact that women had pretty much very little use but for housekeeping, entertaining, and marriage.
Indeed, in terms of marriage, females of Austen`s period had very little choice in life, especially for employment and financial independence, unless they were born into rich families. Unlike Emma, females who were not born into wealthy families either had to marry to have a husband to support them, or find an employment as governess and sometimes, even as maidservants (Gillie 76). Thus, it could be seen that Jane`s situation was made rather desperate by her lack of wealth, while Emma enjoyed the benefit of not being forced to find a husband. In fact, this wealth and social status may have also contributed to her haughty claim that she is committed to being single for the rest of her life, since she does not really need a man to provide for her financial and other needs.
This very same social status also allowed Emma to move around freely, and it also allowed her to believe that she has the special ability to discern every person`s feelings and emotion. More importantly, this social status made her believe in her delusion that knowing the feelings of others, she can easily manipulate people into her schemes to achieve what she falsely believes as their inner desires. Her social status also gave her a disposition that allowed her to express her opinions readily, unlike Jane, whose modesty and lack of finances made her humble and aware of her situation, even after she was relieved from her burden of having to look for employment, by her marriage to Frank.
Thus, although their situations are somehow different, both Jane and Emma portrayed the very limited nature of a woman`s role in the early 19th century of England (Bloom 36). In fact, despite Emma`s elevated ranks, all she could really try to function in is as a matchmaker to her friends and acquaintances, and a manager of the affairs of the...