'A strong sense of class consciousness in “Emma”\r'

' there is a strong sense of material body consciousness in â€Å"Emma”. What is Emmas attitude towards cordial position? How do the Martins and the Coles reflect channelizes in the course of instruction structure of 19th ampere-second Eng disembark? How willing is Emma to accept these changes? Compargon and teleph wizard line Emma and Mr Knightleys attitudes towards Robert Martin.\r\nâ€Å"Emma” was written at the beginning of the ordinal century when dramatic change was waiver on in amicable structures. Up until then fraternity was governed by a nonindulgent class system and alloy of classes was very rare, even the ‘middle class, the land owners and work-force owners were beginning to carve their own state of affairs in club. Increases in international business and the start of the Industrial Revolution were profound factors in the rise of the ‘middle class. Emma as the daughter of a substantial property owner and at the top of society re sists these changes with abundant social snobbism although she is aware the change is at hand(predicate).\r\nâ€Å"Emma conceives of her society in terms of austere in tintities; Miss Woodhouse can non natter Mrs Martin, the Coles will non presume to invite the Westons, Mr. Elton may non aspire to the heiress of Hartfield” writes Helen Dry, â€Å"Syntax and the refer of View in Jane Austens Emma”, (1977), 87-99. Emma clings to ancient open ideas of social hierarchy: but hardly when it suits her. She ignores Harriets illegitimacy purely for her own realize and sees no problem in a starting signal mate between Harriet and Mr. Elton, or Harriet and candid Churchill; merely the idea of an unequal relate between Harriet and Mr. Knightley shocks her, â€Å"Such an elevation on her side, a great deal(prenominal) a debasement on his!” She is too feels extremely insulted when Mr. Elton proposes to her:\r\nShould suppose himself her equal in connection or in mind! Look down upon her friend, so well understanding the gradations of rank under him, and be blind to what rose above, as to fancy himself shewing no presumption in addressing her!-it was most provoking.\r\nEmma objects risquely to Mrs Elton, partly repayable to her self-inflated ideas of social status: â€Å"She brought no name, no blood, no alliance. Miss Hawkins was the youthfulnessest of two daughters of a Bristol merchant”, â€Å"The idea of being indebted(predicate) to Mrs. Elton…The dignity of Miss Woodhouse of Hartfield, was sunk and then!” Mrs Elton shows a great deal of snobbism herself; she is harsh, brash and arrogant, she boasts on numerous do about â€Å"Maple Grove”, and the â€Å"barouche-landau” belonging to her brother-in-law. She endlessly compares everything and everybody to his circle: the only(prenominal) good society she knows.\r\nMr. Weston marries a â€Å"portionless governess”, yet Emma does not pr ess this because Mrs Weston happens to hand over been her governess. And Emma angrily defends Mrs Weston when Mrs Elton expresses her surprise at her ladylikeness. â€Å"I was rather astonished to recoup her so very lady-like! But she unfeignedly is quite the gentlewo opus”.\r\nEmmas inherent snobbery is demonstrated when the Coles host a fellowship in Highbury. â€Å"The Coles were very upright in their way, but they ought to be taught that it was not for them to prune the terms on which the superior families would visit them. This lesson, she very much 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, â€Å"they have better judgement…Knightleys flexibility absorbs the threat, whereas Emmas awkwardness augurs f riction” (Jane Austen [Northcote House, 2003], p.105)\r\nEmmas dislike of the Coles stems from their tardily acquired riches: â€Å"They…by this time were, in circumstances and style of living, second only to the family at Hartfield.” High rank in society was dictated more by family history than current wealthiness. hitherditary wealth was perceived as infinitely superior to recently earned ‘new money. However, change was imminent with the increase in trade wealth and the upper class had to accept this, several(prenominal) even embraced it, Emma however refuses to accept these changes and aline to this new way of thinking.\r\nThe Martins are an honest, respectable family and Emmas attitude towards them shows the goal of her snobbery, conceit and class consciousness: â€Å"amused by such a picture of another rear of beings and enjoying the youthful simplicity which could speak with so much exultation of Mrs Martins having ‘two parlours”. Here Emma laughs at the idea of less lucky people than herself and is exceedingly patronising towards Harriet; however Emma is not perceived as reprehensible because she doesnt know every different and has not experienced bearing outside of Highbury and the unaltered community she was born into.\r\nâ€Å"A young utmostmer…is the very last classification of person to raise my curiosity” She discourages Harriets adjunct to the family and in particular Robert Martin, â€Å"I did not expect much; but I had no idea that he could be so very clownish, so exclusively without air. I had imagined him, I confess, a gradation or two nearer genteelness” Emma warns her that the accident of her birth obliges her to dissociate herself from any connections which would lower her social status come along; 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 commonwealth f amily. This demonstrates the arrogant, hypocritical and interfering characteristics which flaw Emmas character.\r\nWhen Mr. Martin proposes to Harriet, Emma is affect by the quality of his letter, â€Å"She read, and was surprised. The style of the letter was much above her expectation”, this reveals the extent of her superiority and condescension. â€Å"You banished to Abbey-Mill Farm!-You confined to the society of the illiterate and vulgar all your life! I wonder how the young populace could have the assurance to ask it. He must have a elegant good printing of himself.” This shows humour and banter because what Emma says is very spiteful and un unfeigned (although she does not mean it to be so), but also hypocritical because she has an extremely high opinion of herself.\r\nMr. Knightley, on the other hand, has a high regard for Mr. Martin and his family; â€Å"I never see to it better sense from any one than Robert Martin. He is an excellent young man both as son and brother.” Mr. Knightley is appall when he learns of Harriets refusal. He is a realistic, advised man and knows Martin is a good, respectable match for Miss Smith. â€Å"Robert Martins manners have sense, unassumingness and good-humour to recommend them; and his mind has more true gentility than Harriet Smith could understand.”\r\nEmma, although aware changes in social position are calamity and being real, 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 represent these changes and we see them accepted warmly by nearly everyone just 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.\r\n'