The Character and personality of Emma Woodhouse
Emma Woodhouse the very important character of the novel “Emma”, is introduced to us in the very opening sentences of the novel as handsome, clever, and rich, with a comfortable home and a happy disposition. She is nearly twenty-one years of age at this time, and there is very little to distress or vex her. She is the younger of the two daughters of a most affectionate father, Mr. Henry Woodhouse. Her elder sister, Isabella, had been married long before and settled with her family in London. Emma has been the mistress of her father’s house for a long time. Her mother had died when she was a child, and she had been looked after for many years by a governess, Miss Anne Taylor who has just got married. Having been very intimate with Miss Taylor (who has now become Mrs. Weston), Emma misses her badly.
In the very chapter we find her claiming that she had brought about the matrimonial alliance between Miss Taylor and Mr. Weston. This claim is refuted[mp1] in blunt terms by Mr. Knightley who says that Emma had not brought about this match but made a lucky guess that Miss Taylor and Mr. Weston would get married. Mr. Knightley speaks to Emma in such a way to deflate her vanity in this matter.
Emma suffers from several illusions and misconceptions all of which are successively shattered in course of time. Her first illusion, as Mr. Knightley said that she had a hand in bringing about the marriage of Miss Taylor and Mr. Weston. Her second illusion is that she can find a suitable match for the vicar[mp2] of Highbury, Mr. Elton. She thought that Harriet Smith, an orphan, whose responsibility is undertaken by Emma is perfect match to Mr. Elton. She therefore takes the necessary steps to wean the girl away from the Martin family to whom the girl has been greatly attached for many months.
Emma does not think Mr. Robert Martin to be a suitable husband for Harriet. Her whole approach to the possibility of a marriage between Mr. martin and Harriet shown Emma’s social snobbery. Mr. Martin is a mere farmer, and Emma thinks Harriet to be a fit wife for a man belonging to a much higher rank in society ― Mr. Elton. Emma’s snobbery[mp3] is seen also in her attitude towards the Coles. She thinks it beneath dignity to mix with them because they have risen to wealth from a much lower position. So, she does not respond to their invitation when they gave dinner party for all the people of Highbury. Emma’s snobbery is traced even in indifferent treatment of Miss Bates in the past.
Emma is not only snobbish but lacking in sense of realism. When a written, proposal of marriage is received by Harriet from Mr. martin, Emma instigates Harriet to reject it, though Emma does so in an indirect manner without appearing to influence Harriet’s own judgement.Ostensibly, Emma gives to Harriet full freedom in saying ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to Mr. Martin’s proposal, but actually it is she who takes the decision on Harriet’s behalf. Thus, we find that Emma is also capable of a certain sophistry.[mp4]
It is Emma who puts into Harriet’s head the notion that Mr. Elton is in love with her and will marry her. Emma herself paints a portrait of Harriet which Mr. Elton takes to London to have it framed. And Emma, who never fails to exercise her imagination in such matters, says to Harriet; “At this moment perhaps, Mr. Elton is showing your picture to his mother and sisters, telling them how much more beautiful is the original, and after being asked for it five or six times, allowing them to hear your name, your own dear name.” Subsequently she makes every possible effort to promote a match between Harriet and Mr. Elton and receives a big shock when Mr. Elton proposes not to Harriet but to Emma herself. Thus, Emma discovers how sadly mistaken she had been in her assessment of the character of Mr. Elton. Mr. Elton’s proposal as a great disillusionment for Emma.
Emma’s attitude towards Frank Churchill and her judgement of that man’s character again show Emma to be an “imaginist”. Emma is always inclined to believe what she wishes to believe and not what is actually or really the case. She first thinks of Frank as a possible husband for herself. Then, dismissing him as a lover or husband for herself, she imagines him as a possible husband for Harriet, her ground for this belief being no more than the fact that Frank has rescued Harriet from the gipsies. It is in this context that the author calls Emma an “imaginist”. Just as previously she had received Frank’s attentions to herself as the advances of a suitor or wooer, so now she begins to treat him as a suitor for Harriet. She completely fails to understand the reality of Frank’s character in spite of the fact that Mr. Knightley tries to open her eyes to the true character of that young man. She begins to think Mr. Knightley to be “illiberal” and unjust in his assessment of Frank and tries to defend Frank till the shocking revelation comes that Frank has long been engaged to Jane Fairfax.
It is not possible to appreciate Emma’s attitude towards Jane Fairfax in early stages. Emma had always kept distance from the time of earliest acquaintance with Jane. It could have been, as suggested by Mr. Knightley, a sub-conscious jealousy on Emma’s par which prevented her from becoming friends with Jane. Subsequently, Emma’s dislike of Jane is strengthened by what seems to Emma the coldness and reserve of Jane. However, Emma tries to amend herself to Jane and eventually both have become good friends at later stages of the novel.
Emma shows a lack of delicacy in her treatment of Miss Bates also. On the occasion of the visit to Box Hill, Emma says something very rude and offensive to Miss Bates. Emma’s words on this occasion amount to her accusing Miss Bates of extreme dullness in whatever Miss bates has to say. However, when afterwards Emma is rebuked by Mr. Knightley for this rudeness. Emma realizes her mistake and makes amends to Miss Bates by paying a friendly visit to her.
Likewise, Emma’s character is treated in the novel with the mixture of little arrogance and compassion. Her kind-heartedness is also seen in her when she was ultimate realization of the troubles through which Jane Fairfax has passed. Her rudeness to Miss Bates on one occasion should not be regarded that she is hard-hearted and callous woman.
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[mp3]The character of quality of being snob.
A person with an exaggerated respect for high social position or wealth who seeks to associate with social superiors and looks sown on those regarded as socially inferior
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