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Fiction

Notes dramatic conflict. The heroine of the novel is also unique because of her seeming immunity
to romantic sensibility. It is only at the end of the work that Emma succumbs to love; before
that point, she shows minimal romantic interest in any of the male characters.
Because Austen’s works were published anonymously, they received little critical attention
during her time period. Although her books sold well and were favored by prominent figures
in British society (such as the Prince Regent and his daughter), Austen received only a few
short reviews. After her death, her works continued to be steady sellers but were not widely
popular among readers in the 19th century. In general, audiences preferred the dramatic style
of George Eliot and Charles Dickens over Austen’s mild forays into British society.

Task When did Emma published and by whom?

However, Austen’s work was still highly praised by prominent literary scholars. Authors Sir
Walter Scott and Henry James and philosopher George Henry Lewes lauded Austen’s narrative
style; Henry James, in particular, compared her writing to that of Shakespeare, Cervantes, and
Henry Fielding. After James Edward Austen-Leigh published his biography of his “dear aunt
Jane” in 1869, Austen was introduced to the wider public, who clamored for new editions of
her works. Austen-Leigh’s biography also spurred a rift between the literary elite, who called
themselves “Janeites,” and the larger public, who was presumed not to properly understand
her works.

In the 20th century, Austen’s works began to receive major scholarly attention, specifically
with the publication of A.C. Bradley’s essay on Austen in 1911. The 20th century also saw a
surge of adaptations of Austen’s works, including films, prequels, sequels, and revised novels
(such as Seth Grahame-Smith’s “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies”).

Notes “Emma,” in particular, has been adapted for film multiple times, including the
1995 film “Clueless” with Alicia Silverstone, and revised as comic horror novel
“Emma and the Werewolves” by Adam Rann.

8.2 Emma: Detailed Study of Text

Chapters 1-7

Chapter One: The first chapter introduces the novel’s title character and protagonist, Emma
Woodhouse, a twenty-one-year-old heiress and the youngest of two daughters. Emma’s mother
died long ago, leaving Emma to be brought up by Miss Taylor, a governess who “fell little
short of a mother in affection.” However, at the novel’s beginning Miss Taylor has just married
Mr. Weston, leaving Emma contemplative and lonely. After the wedding, Emma is alone
playing backgammon with her father, a hypochondriac who tends to overindulge his daughter.
They are joined by Mr. George Knightley, a wealthy neighbor whose brother had married
Emma’s elder sister. They discuss Miss Weston’s marriage and confirm that Emma will miss
her friend. Only Mr. Woodhouse pities Miss Taylor, absurdly thinking that she must be unhappy
to be married and thus separated from the Woodhouse household. Emma tries to take credit
for the marriage, claiming that she matched Miss Taylor and Mr. Weston.
Analysis: Within the first few paragraphs of the book, Austen gives the reader a clear sense
of Emma’s character. While she is “handsome, clever and rich,” she is also spoiled and self-

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