Emma Passage Analysis

Emma.

Chapter One, Volume Two.

Emma's naïve prejudice towards ones social status, in addition to her absolute lack of altruism, cause immense havoc for herself, and all those whom she interacts with throughout the novel. Although Emma posses a great deal of intelligence, she lacks empathy and perspective; almost always letting class concerns override her occasional charitable nature. Emma's fear of associating with and consequently 'falling in with' the second and third rate of Highbury consumes much of her benevolence. Austen conveys her disregard for class discrimination, by exhibiting Emma's bias beliefs, towards those less wealthy to be obnoxiously, off putting. In chapter one of volume two, Emma visits the rather poor Mrs. and Miss Bates, but only for her own egotistical gain, as an excuse to discontinue her distressing ongoing conversation with Harriet, regarding Mr. Elton. Predictably Emma finds this experience to be rather unpleasant, and thus 'escapes' the household soon after arrival.

Through Emma's excess time and energy, and miss' Bates desperation and tedious nature, Austen conveys just how limited a women was in regency England. Miss bates is a spinster, which was quite a tragic affair for a women of her age , residing in Regency England, as the position of women in her society was largely dictated by strict codes and expectations, expectations she evidently didn't meet. However even women of good fortune were quite confined, as depicted consistently throughout Emma. The alternative pastimes portrayed in the book, were limited to social visits, charity visits, and artistic endeavors, these relatively petty events seeming quite tedious. The very fact that Emma felt compelled to visit a woman's residence, whom she was not fond of, in order to avoid a discussion with her friend, exemplifies the insufficient options she had to choose from.

As Emma is unable to feel genuinely supportive towards Miss Bates' pride regarding her niece; Jane Fairfax, due to her lack of compassion, yet doesn't want to appear uncouth, she feels as though she has an obligation to humour her, this is conveyed through the satire within her speech. Although this is blatant for readers to see, Miss bates believes Emma's compliments to be authentic, deeming Emma to be 'extremely kind'. This is because Miss bates is so kind-hearted and desires to see the best in everyone, that she is blinded from the truth, and although this trait may perceive her to be naïve at times, Austen clearly conveys her innocent, gullibility to be far more preferable than Emma's constant selfishness.

Through the complete contrast between Emma and Miss Bates, Austen makes it quite apparent that intelligence and beauty are inferior to compassion and patience. Miss Bates is 'neither young, handsome, rich, nor