Page 94 - DENG404_FICTION

Fiction

Notes Analysis: The best and worst of Emma Woodhouse is revealed in her attempts to improve
Harriet Smith. She has good intentions toward Harriet and genuinely wishes to help the
young lady by introducing her into society and finding her a suitor, but Emma is also meddlesome
and condescending. She assumes that she is the most appropriate person to “improve” her
friend and has no qualms in persuading Harriet to go against her personal feelings. Emma
immediately assumes that the Martins are inappropriate friends for Harriet, solely based on
their social status and common upbringing. Mr. Knightley, however, thinks very highly of the
family, despite their profession.
The chapter also clarifies the social hierarchy of Highbury society. The Woodhouses, the
Westons and Mr. Knightley are at the top, since they own the largest estates. Below them in
status is Mr. Elton, who is important in Highbury not because of wealth but because of his
position as the vicar. Mrs. Bates, as the widow of the former vicar, also retains some status,
though she has little money. At the lowest rung of society are single women such as Harriet
Smith and Miss Bates. Miss Bates takes part in social functions because of her mother, but
Harriet is only allowed among the better persons of Highbury because of her connection to
Emma. Parentage is crucial for determining a character’s social status, and Harriet does not
know who her parents are. Emma assumes that Harriet’s father must be a gentleman, and,
because of her own social status, she can determine who is included.
Chapter Four: Emma introduces Harriet Smith into her social circle, using her as a companion
to replace Mrs. Weston. Harriet is unable to tell Emma anything about her parents as Mrs.
Goddard given her little information, but Emma is easily persuaded that Harriet’s father was,
in fact, a gentleman. Emma grows increasingly concerned about Harriet’s connection to the
Martin family when she discovers that Robert Martin, the son, may have romantic interest in
Harriet. In conversation with Harriet, Emma attempts to belittle Robert Martin as uneducated,
not handsome, and too young to marry. After Emma briefly meets Mr. Martin, she promptly
informs Harriet that he is plain and clownish. She encourages Harriet to compare Robert to
better men such as Mr. Weston or Mr. Elton and privately wonders if Mr. Elton might be a
more appropriate match. After all, although he does not have low social connections, he does
not have a family who would object to Harriet’s doubtful birth.
Analysis: Harriet Smith reveals herself to be the perfect case for Emma: she impressionable
and naïve and dotes upon Emma. She serves as a replacement for Mrs. Weston as a companion,
but unlike Mrs. Weston, she does criticize Emma or attempt to improve her in any way.
Instead, she flatters Emma in every way. Significantly, it is because of Harriet’s dissimilarities
from Mrs. Weston that Emma selects her to be a friend. Since she cannot find a suitable
replacement for Mrs. Weston, she decides to find a different sort of relationship. Instead of
finding another teacher, Emma finds a student of her own.
The reason that Emma gives to dissuade Harriet Smith from a romance with Robert Martin is
significant. He lacks proper manners, with his “awkward look,” “abrupt manner” and “uncouthness
of a voice.” She does this through contrast: Robert Martin lacks the grace and breeding of Mr.
Knightley, Mr. Weston, and Mr. Elton. But for Emma, “manners” actually mean status. She
disapproves of Robert Martin before she has even met him, simply because he is not a gentleman.
Emma’s judgmental decision about Robert Martin brings up a recurring theme in the book: the
relationship between status and manners. She emphasizes the fact that Mr. Knightley and Mr.
Elton have manners that befit their social situation. Each place in society has manners that are
proper to it: behavior that might be acceptable to a woman such as Emma might not be
appropriate for a woman such as Harriet Smith.
Chapter Five: Mr. Knightley and Mrs. Weston discuss Emma’s new friendship with Harriet
Smith. Mrs. Weston approves of the friendship, believing that it will be beneficial to both. Mr.
Knightley, on the other hand, believes that Harriet will do nothing to stimulate Emma on an

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