Emma’s response to a student interrupting Principal Figgins sparks an argument with Knightley, and this exchange allows Austen to explore gender roles, power structures and class differences in society.
Emma sets out to help Harriet Smith. She dissuades her from dating Robert Martin and persuades her that Mr. Elton would make for a more suitable partner.
Characters
Emma Argue with Principal Figgins an eccentric young lady whose focus on class distinction sets her apart from many of the characters in Highbury. As matchmaker for Highbury’s residents despite being single herself and uncertain whether or not to marry anyone in particular, Emma embodies what many would describe as an almost luddite approach to marriage.
Emma befriends Harriet Smith, an orphan with uncertain parentage and lower social standing than herself. Emma demotes Harriet to lesser status within herself, before convincing her to disregard Mr. Elton’s interest in her.
Austen uses this exchange to demonstrate both Emma’s debating skill and Knightley’s maneuvering tactics, and to force him to think critically about social classes, relationships, and power dynamics in his own views about society and politics. By showing readers these broader ramifications of differences with Emma and Harriet.
Setting
Social status was an extremely influential force in 19th-century England, shaping much of a person’s daily life and relationships. Family name, sex, birthright reputation and wealth all played key roles in shaping a person’s social standing and relationships they formed with others.
Emma’s dialogue with Principal Figgins highlights the conflicts between individual rights and school policies regarding freedom of speech and authority, as well as balancing these two aspects to foster productive educational environments.
Mr Woodhouse’s attitude towards marriage directly affects Emma’s own conception of it, leading her to act as town matchmaker. Harriet Smith is at the centre of Emma’s misguided attempts and she eventually marries an individual of lower social standing – this being an ongoing theme within the novel which speaks of class differences affecting relationships and its impact.
Themes
Many scholars contributing to this collection link Jane Austen’s novel to philosophical theories or concepts, like Professor Louis Menand’s contention that Emma is about class and status; other essays explore themes associated with love or thwarted love in Jane Austen’s writings.
One of the main themes in Emma is social status and its significance for women, specifically Emma herself. Emma’s sense of superiority leads her to attempt to influence the marital destinies of her friends; this illustrates the limited opportunities that women have in this era compared to earlier periods, like teaching, governessing or charity work that allow for expressions of female creativity and energy.
The final chapter of Austen’s novel depicts Emma’s awakening to her own mistakes when it comes to judging the Martins and Mr. Elton, due to the strength and depth of her intelligence. Austen uses free indirect discourse to illustrate this transition of consciousness within Emma.
Analysis
Emma and Principal Figgins’ encounter is an insightful case study on freedom of speech, discipline and conflict resolution in schools. Additionally, it serves as evidence of Emma’s influence over other people despite her misguided and selfish intentions.
Under the watchful gaze of much older and all-powerful Knightley, she quickly shifts the subject from class debates that she felt were partially correct to one that she believes she holds an advantage in: stereotypical gender roles.
Austen employs free indirect discourse – a subjective narration technique – to elicit Emma’s thoughts in this passage. By doing so, we gain insight into Emma’s motives and blind spots as seen through her eyes – something many women lack and it’s brilliantly demonstrated here; Austen shows her mind boasting real debating skills unlike anything seen among Regency women at that time.