Emma by Jane Austen | Summary & Analysis

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Course Hero Literature Instructor Russell Jaffe provides an in-depth analysis of the plot, characters, symbols, and themes of Jane Austen's novel Emma.

Download the free study guide and infographic for Emma here: https://www.coursehero.com/lit/Emma/i...

Emma Woodhouse, the heroine of Jane Austen's lightly biting satire of the 19th century British middle class, is a charming but meddlesome young woman intent on playing matchmaker to her friends and acquaintances.

Though her intentions are good, she fails to perceive the consequences of her actions. Thus, she unnecessarily complicates the lives of her intimates and, amusingly, her own.

As Austen’s protagonist attempts to pair a lower class friend with a number of unsuitable upper class partners, she temporarily alienates her own obvious match and falls for someone else.

Attempting to navigate the expectations of their parents and peers, the characters find themselves hopelessly lost. In classic romantic comedy style, they only find their way to happiness by following their hearts.

British author Jane Austen’s Emma was published in 1815. Austen closely observed the morals and manners of the landed gentry and portrayed women’s dilemma of dependence on men for status and livelihood. Her trademark wit and keen eye for the absurdities of class conventions are on full display in Emma. She predicted her character Emma would be "a heroine whom no one but myself will much like."

The famous romantic novel contains many enduring themes including marriage, as the choice of marriage partner is dictated by many motives making it hard to make the right choice; gender, as the woman’s livelihood is constrained by the need to marry well; and self-knowledge, as the characters must recognize their flaws in order to mature. Symbols include the book of riddles, Mr. Knightley’s name, and riding versus walking.

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