Emma人物分析

Emma in the novel In the novel Emma, Jane Austen has successfully created a series of characters, who have their own characteristics, and each one occupies a different location and has a different role. Emma, the heroine, is the most prominent character, and is also the representative one among all of Austen’s characters. 1. Brief Retrospection of Emma Emma is a “handsome, clever, and rich” young girl and as she “seemed to unite some of the best blessings of existence”, she can not help thinking too much of herself and tends to do whatever she wishes. Although she makes up her mind not to marry herself in the beginning, she is keen to make matches for her friends. But every time she does the match-making, her matches are based on her whims or impulse instead of reasons and facts so that she always makes the wrong matches and suffers a lot. Finally she falls in love with the gentleman Mr. Knightley, which makes the story a happy ending together with other two couples. 2. Attitude towards life She lives in a large house with “lawn, bushes and its own title”. Every time Emma goes to a party, she has her own carriage instead of walking there. Emma enjoys her life “with a comfortable home and happy disposition. When Emma does all these, she does not attempt to show off or get a great reputation. She adopts a positive and active attitude toward social life. she brakes the rigid regulations, and accepts the Cole family's dinner invitation; she visits the poor farmers, full of compassion, without prejudice, to give guidelines and sincere help. Emma acts as the leader in Hartfiled and even in Highbury society. 3. Friendship in her eyes Emma values friendship very much. She has many friends, such as, Miss Taylor, Harriet Bates and Knightley. For Emma, Miss Taylor acts less as a governor than a friend. Harriet Smith is a seventeen-year-old girl that Emma knows at Mrs. Goddard’s school. Emma admires Harriet’s pretty appearance and finds out Harriet very engaging, not inconveniently shy, not unwilling to talk. Be kind and helpful to her friend. Emma introduces Harriet into good society in Highbury, and informs her of opinions and her manners. What Emma does to help Harriet the most actively is to do matchmaking for Harriet: the first time with Mr. Weston, and then with Frank Churchill. What’s more, Emma convinces Harriet to refuse Mr. Martin’s courtship. Although Emma’s matchmaking proves to be wrong and harms Harriet a little bit, Emma is only going to be kind to her dear friend. Miss Bates is also one of Emma’s Friends, a poor old maid who often chatters away. Emma often pays visits to the Bates’ family. However, she sometimes takes different attitude to Bates from other friends from an upper class. Emma is imperfect in moral. She judges a person just based on his social status. Once, Emma puts down to Miss Bates. After Mr. Knightley criticizes her indifference to Miss Bates, Emma also realizes her improper behavior and tries to make up for her mistake. Mr. Knightley gets all of the good characteristics in one: mature, kind, straightforward, loving and wealthy, rare modern gentleman in a male dominated society. He is not only Emma's friend, relative, but also serves as Emma's mentor. Only he can observe the shortcomings of Emma, and only he can exert influence on Emma's thoughts and behavior. The friendship between Emma and Mr. Knightley seems strange, but it is the true friendship based on mutual respect and genuine concern. 4.Her View of Love Emma advocates equality in a marriage, and believes love is the foundation of marriage. In her views, it is a dreadful mistake for a woman to go into marriage without love. Emma is obviously aware of the importance role of love to a successful marriage and she tells Harriet that she should be a fool to get married without love. However, Emma’s emotional awakening comes very late. Fortunately, she eventually realizes her own true love for Mr. Knightly. 5. conclusion Emma’s character was influenced by her family, the Surrounding Community and also the economy background. She was born in the top family of the village Highbury and so has a very high social status. She has access to good education as well as material care. However, due to this kind of environment, Emma has her shortcomings. Thanks to Mr. Knightley and Mrs. Weston, she often takes self-examination to reach moral perfection.