Central to understanding
this excellent and
witty novel is recognising the very different way in which marriage was
though of in Austen's day. Marriage was linked inextricably to social status. Marriage
was one
way in which women in particular could raise their social status, as
they were unable to raise
their status through a profession or personal
achievement. Thus the novel is based around a
series of marriages that have
either just happened or are eagerly anticipated. However, the
novel seems to
suggest, marrying too far above your own social sphere is something that can
bring sadness and strife. Mr. Weston's first marriage to Miss Churchill represented a
rise in
social status for him, but also resulted in a rather unhappy marriage
due to the inequality of
social position between them. Mr. Weston's second
marriage is much happier because both come
from a similar social position.
This is of course also something seen by 's misguided attempts
to match
Harriet with Mr. Elton, which other characters see as foolish, and which Emma
herself
recognises was the wrong thing to do. Note how Mr. Elton responds to
Emma's suggestion that he
liked Harriet:
Miss Smith is a very good sort of girl; and
I should be happy to see
her respectably settled. I wish her extremely well and, no doubt, there
are
men who might not object toEverybody has their level but as for myself, I am not, I
think,
quite so much at a loss.
Mr.
Elton is very clear about
the "level" of Harriet and his own level, which do
not, in his perspective, connect in
any way. Emma's affection and
determination blind her to the social realities of Emma's
position. Austen
seems to suggest therefore that marriage is best when it is between two
social
equals, as is the case between Emma and Mr.
Knightley.
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