Emma: A Literary Analysis
Emma, written by Jane Austen, tells the story of a young lady as she navigates the social world of 19th
century England. Emma is known throughout Highbury for her sharp with and match-making abilities. When
Emma meets Ms. Harriet Smith, she immediately begins searching for Harriet’s perfect suitor. Throughout
the novel, Emma and Harriet encounter difficult situations due to Emma’s misled assumptions. Hearts are
captured, broken, and healed in Austen’s novel of intriguing characters, twisting plot lines, and enchanting
romance. Austen uses humor and character foils to support the idea that one cannot assume to know the
most about a situation; therefore basing actions only upon self-made ideas can lead to undesirable
circumstances.
Throughout the novel, Austen’s use of classic wit aids the reader in understanding the consequences of
Emma’s mistaken ideas. When Emma first meets Harriet she quickly decides that, despite Harriet’s unknown
parentage, the perfect match for her would be Mr. Elton. As time passes, Mr. Elton’s support of Ms. Smith
leads Emma to conclude that he is in love with Harriet. However, Emma entirely misinterprets Mr. Elton’s
attentions. There are moments when Emma recognizes that things do not match up—but she merely
attributes those incidents to the blooming love between the two prospects. Mr. Elton writes a letter to the
lady of his affections, which Emma assumes is Harriet. Within the poem, one line describes the woman as
having a ready wit. Emma’s response can be found in the following: “Harriet’s ready wit! ... A man must be
very much in love, indeed, to describe her so” (Austen 71). Emma, clearly, does not think Harriet’s wit is
worthy of such a compliment. However, the humorous way in which Austen delivers this statement, leads the
reader to conclude that Emma meant her statement as friendly criticism, not a harsh assessment of Harriet’s
personality. Indeed, if Emma had no pre-conceived notion that Harriet and Mr. Elton were “meant to be”,
perhaps she could have realized his true intention before he himself tells her. It is in a private moment that
the following occurs: ‘…she found her subject cut up- her hand seized- her attention demanded and Mr.
Elton…, lover of Harriet was professing himself her lover” (Austen 129). The romantic poem had been
intended for Emma, not Harriet. His concern for Ms. Smith had only been because she was a dear friend of
Emma’s. The humorous profession and refusal of Mr. Elton’s love could have been avoided, had Emma
admitted to herself that she did not always know best.
Throughout the novel, Mr. Knightly proves himself an excellent foil for Emma’s character. Personality wise,
the two could not be more different. Mr. Knightly willingly accepts advice from those around him. Emma, on
the other hand, refuses to accept anyone’s advice that contradicts her own notions. As seen before, Emma
believes Mr. Elton to be in love with Harriet. Mr. John Knightly, brother to Mr. Knightly, saw the true object of
Mr. Elton’s affections. He attempted to tell Emma, but was met with the following response: “I assure you
you are quite mistaken. Mr. Elton and I are very good friends, and nothing more” (Austen 112). This
difference in personality supports the idea that refusing to change your ideas and accept advice can lead to
disagreeable situations. Had Emma been more like Mr. Knightly and taken the advice given to her, the
unfortunate carriage incident may well have never occurred. Mr. Knightly and Emma also quarrel over
Emma’s advice giving, when Harriet receives a proposal from the humble Mr. Martin. When Mr. Knightly
learns of this occurrence, he rebukes Emma, for he knows Mr. Martin is a worthy man. He disapproves of her
meddling and puts his irritation as follows: “Upon my word, Emma, to hear you abusing the reason you have,
it is almost enough to make me think … [it] better [to] be without sense, than misapply it as you do” (Austen
61). Mr. Knightly points out a major flaw within Emma’s personality: her inclination to form an idea and take
action on it, even if she is warned otherwise. Without the contrasting figure of Mr. Knightly, readers may not
recognize this major fault of Emma’s. The character foil is necessary for understanding how Emma, acting on
her own assumptions, landed her in many difficult situations.
Overall, it was Emma’s assuming to know best that landed her in a series of undesirable situations.
Through the use of humor, Austen displayed the terrible predicaments Emma got herself, and others, into.
The character foil between Emma and Mr. Knightly showed the major personality fault within Emma, as well
as how Emma perhaps should have acted. This novel teaches a valuable lesson: accept other’s ideas and be
willing to modify your own, else you may find yourself in as many awful situations as Emma did.