How could Jane Austen's Emma be considered a feminist novel?

's novel
has a central character criticized as sheltered and overly concerned with
status, place, and marrying well, all the things well off women were supposed to be and do. In
her match making, she pushed her friend to not marry a prosperous farmer because he was not what
was considered well born, from a high or elite background. By novel's end she is forced to admit
she was wrong, and the marriage takes place.

Austen also makes use of
gendered space in the novel. Female characters almost always meet indoors while males meet
outdoors, suggesting their relative freedoms. The main character cannot walk alone to the post
office without attracting gossip while her father can go alone to London without worrying about
the same.