A strong sense of class consciousness in “Emma”

There is a strong sense of class consciousness in Emma. What is Emmas attitude towards social position? How do the Martins and the Coles reflect changes in the class structure of 19th century England? How willing is Emma to accept these changes? Compare and contrast Emma and Mr Knightleys attitudes towards Robert Martin.Emma was written at the beginning of the Nineteenth century when striking change was going on in social structures. Up until then nightclub was governed by a unshakable class system and mixing of classes was real rare, so far the middle class, the land owners and work-force owners were beginning to compartmentalize their own place in society. Increases in international trading and the start of the Industrial Revolution were notice factors in the rise of the middle class. Emma as the daughter of a substantial landowner and at the elapse of society resists these changes with immense social snobbery although she is aware the change is imminent.Emma conceives of her society in terms of rigid inequalities Miss Woodhouse cannot telephone Mrs Martin, the Coles will not presume to invite the Westons, Mr. Elton may not aspire to the heiress of Hartfield writes Helen Dry, Syntax and the Point of View in Jane Austens Emma, (1977), 87-99. Emma clings to ancient established ideas of social hierarchy but only(prenominal) when it suits her. She ignores Harriets illegitimacy purely for her own fancy and sees no problem in a match betwixt Harriet and Mr. Elton, or Harriet and Frank Churchill however the idea of an unequal match between Harriet and Mr. Knightley shocks her, Such an elevation on her side, a lot(prenominal) a debasement on his She is also feels extremely insulted when Mr. Elton proposes to herShould suppose himself her equal in familiarity or in sagacity Look down upon her friend, so well understanding the gradations of rank infra him, and be blind to what rose above, as to fancy himself shewing no presumption in addressing her-i t was most provoking.Emma objects super to Mrs Elton, partly due to her self-inflated ideas of social status She brought no name, no blood, no alliance. Miss Hawkins was the youngest of two daughters of a Bristol merchant, The idea of being indebted to Mrs. EltonThe dignity of Miss Woodhouse of Hartfield, was sunk indeed Mrs Elton shows a great deal of snobbery herself she is harsh, brash and arrogant, she boasts on numerous occasions about Maple Grove, and the barouche-landau belonging to her brother-in-law. She evermore compares everything and everybody to his circle the only good society she knows.Mr. Weston marries a portionless governess, yet Emma does not oppose this because Mrs Weston happens to take up been her governess. And Emma angrily defends Mrs Weston when Mrs Elton expresses her surprise at her ladylikeness. I was rather astonished to find her so very lady-like But she real is quite the gentlewoman.Emmas inherent snobbery is demonstrated when the Coles host a par ty in Highbury. The Coles were very respectable in their route, but they ought to be taught that it was not for them to arrange the terms on which the superior families would visit them. This lesson, she very some(prenominal) feared, they would receive only from herself she had little hope of Mr. Knightley, none of Mr. Weston. Emma feels the Coles are attempting to rise above their station however she recognizes that neither Mr. Knightley nor Mr. Weston will agree or support her here because as Robert Miles writes, they have better judgementKnightleys flexibility absorbs the threat, whereas Emmas stiffness augurs friction (Jane Austen Northcote House, 2003, p.105)Emmas dislike of the Coles stems from their recently acquired wealth Theyby this sequence were, in fortune and style of living, second only to the family at Hartfield. High rank in society was dictated more by family history than current wealth. Hereditary wealth was perceived as continuously superior to recently earned new money. However, change was imminent with the increase in trade wealth and the upper class had to accept this, some even embraced it, Emma however refuses to accept these changes and adapt to this new way of thinking.The Martins are an honest, respectable family and Emmas attitude towards them shows the termination of her snobbery, conceit and class consciousness amused by such a picture of another set of beings and enjoying the youthful simplicity which could speak with so much jubilancy of Mrs Martins having two parlours. Here Emma laughs at the idea of less fortunate people than herself and is exceedingly patronising towards Harriet however Emma is not perceived as cruel because she doesnt know any different and has not experienced biography outside of Highbury and the unchanged community she was born into.A young farmeris the very last course of person to raise my curiosity She discourages Harriets attachment to the family and in particular Robert Martin, I did not expect much but I had no idea that he could be so very clownish, so whole without air. I had imagined him, I confess, a degree or two nearer gentility Emma warns her that the accident of her pedigree obliges her to dissociate herself from any connections which would lower her social status further Harriet is probably of the same class as the Martins, but Emma feels that the association with herself has raised Harriet far above an association with a farming family. This demonstrates the arrogant, hypocritical and impede characteristics which flaw Emmas character.When Mr. Martin proposes to Harriet, Emma is surprised by the quality of his letter, She read, and was surprised. The style of the letter was much above her expectation, this reveals the extent of her superiority and condescension. You banished to Abbey-Mill Farm-You confined to the society of the illiterate and vulgar all your life I venerate how the young man could have the assurance to ask it. He must have a beauteous good opinion of himself. This shows humour and irony because what Emma says is very spiteful and untrue (although she does not mean it to be so), but also hypocritical because she has an extremely spunky opinion of herself.Mr. Knightley, on the other hand, has a high regard for Mr. Martin and his family I never hear better sense from any one than Robert Martin. He is an beautiful young man both as son and brother. Mr. Knightley is outraged when he learns of Harriets refusal. He is a realistic, intelligent man and knows Martin is a good, respectable match for Miss Smith. Robert Martins manners have sense, sincerity and good-humour to recommend them and his mind has more true gentility than Harriet Smith could understand.Emma, although aware changes in social position are chance and being accepted, is reluctant to change, and as the first lady of Highbury does not welcome the break-down of the rigid class structure. The Martins and the Coles fight down these changes and we see them ac cepted warmly by nearly everyone except Emma. Characters such as Mr. Knightley and Mr. Weston are much more realistic, with a wider understanding of social issues than Emma, who has never left Highbury.