Emma And Mr Woodhouse example essay topic

Jane Austen opens the novel with a paragraph about the heroine, Emma. She is 'handsome, clever and rich'. At the social event we meet Miss Bates and Emma can be juxtaposed with her. This first paragraph shows how Emma is a happy character and has had a sheltered lifestyle living with her 'most affectionate, indulgent father'. Although the opening is happy the word 'seemed' indicates this is not always the case throughout the novel. Austen mocks Emma using gentle irony; such a joyful event of Miss Taylor's marriage has caused Emma so much sorrow.

Emma seems smug that 'she had always wished and promoted the match' Emma will miss the companionship of her governess who 'she had such an affection for'. She feels lonely and even though 'she dearly loved her father, he was not a companion for her'. Mr Woodhouse has been a 'valetudinarian all his life without activity of mind or body'. He is tedious but Emma is a devoted and dedicated daughter.

Any positive comments said to him are picked at and turned into negative ones. Emma is expected to keep him entertained. Mr Woodhouse loathes change. His habits are of 'gentle selfishness', he thinks of his own needs and no one else's. He has very little social awareness like his daughter. He never accepted Isabella's marriage even though she was happy and he can't believe Miss Taylor willingly got married because it wasn't a marriage of wealth or necessity.

He doesn't understand it's a 'match of affection'. Mr Woodhouse is a self-reserving man and he won't help Emma become socially aware. Two concerns are shown here, first, the views on women and marriage, in Austens' time women married for financial security and second the insular atmosphere and Mr Woodhouse detachment form society. Mr Knightley is the opposite of Mr Woodhouse. He is cheerful, positive, athletic and hearty. He knows Emma will be upset after Miss Taylor's departure.

He mocks Emma and Mr Woodhouse, 'who cried most'. Mr Knightley knows Emma wants independence and he is perceptive, 'it must be better to have one to please than two'. The thoughts on Mr Weston and Miss Taylor's marriage show the characters attitudes. Here we learn their views through their speech. Mr Woodhouse is against the marriage and of matchmaking. Emma happily babbles including irrelevant details and is smug that the marriage is due to her matchmaking.

Mr Knightley is logical, he talks of the advantages of Miss Taylor's marriage and his views always show good judgement, later when Emma talks of matchmaking Mr Elton, Mr Knightley replies 'a man of six or seven and twenty can take care of himself'. Mr Knightley sees faults in Emma, unlike her father who idolizes her, 'Emma bears everything so well'. Mr Knightley tells her of her faults too, he deflates her, 'what are you proud of? You made a lucky guess'. Emma can be seen, as opposite to Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice who needs to marry for security whereas Emma doesn't, she likes being in charge and dominating friends. Although she is sad to lose her governess, she says she must celebrate the wedding and Miss Taylor's good fortune.

In this first chapter we meet three characters: Emma, Mr Woodhouse and Mr Knightley. We also hear about Miss Taylor and Mr Weston. The three can be contrasted with each other; they are all very different. Emma has a 'happy disposition'. She puts up with and cares for her tedious father.

Her immaturity is great 'amusement'. She believes she matched Mr Weston and Miss Taylor. Emma often gets her predictions wrong. Mr Woodhouse is a trivial man who often makes something out of nothing. He is quite the opposite of Mr Knightley who is hearty sensible man and he handles Mr Woodhouse with cordial tact. Mr Knightley's response to Miss Taylor's marriage is juxtaposed with that of Emma and Mr Woodhouse.

The first concern shown is Emma's lack of social awareness, she lives in a dull society and this is seen through her impetuous domineering actions. 'Highbury... afforded her no equals': this shows the social importance. The second stressed concern is marriage. This is shown through comic dialogue from Mr Woodhouse, 'Poor Miss Taylor... what a pity it is that Mr Weston ever thought of her!' It shows his inability to see the reason for their marriage and why she would want a 'house of her own'.

This leads on to another concern of his lack of social awareness.