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Emma-Jane Austen Book Review

In: English and Literature

Submitted By AditiParikh
Words 694
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BOOK REVIEW

Emma is a classic novel written by Jane Austen in 1815, published by John Murray. Emma is an intelligent, upper class young woman who thinks she knows more than other people. She decides to use her knowledge to become a matchmaker for her new little friend, Harriet. Emma finds out that she doesn't know as much as she thinks she does; while she discovers she misread quite a few of her acquaintances. She discovers that she didn't even know herself as well as she thought.

The Regency era was a time of great social, political, and even economic change. The upper class lived extravagantly and spent huge amounts on pomp and show which caused a tremendous drain of money and this lead to large scale poverty. Jane Austen's portrayal of England's class structure in 1816 presents the idea that there are three distinct social classes, the lower, middle and upper class. All three join together in harmony to create the essence of Highbury, however there is a little discrimination present. In the early part of this period the ballroom dancing was prevalent in high society parties. Jane Austen features balls in her novels quite often.

CHARACTER OVERVIEW:

Emma is a young, beautiful and rich girl and finds herself a bit smarter for her match-making habit. She is a feminist character and thinks that she’ll never marry.
Mr.knightley is Emma’s neighbor and also her sister Isabelle’s brother-in-law. He is a very good friend and critic of Emma and found to be wise in decision making.
Harriet Smith, a very good friend of Emma, is an illegitimate child whose parents are not known. She likes Mr. Martin, a well to do farmer but due to Emma’s match-making habit finds herself attracted to a series of men.
Frank Churchill-The son of Mr. Weston was brought up by his uncles, the Churchills. Frank Churchill is somewhat shallow and almost a villain but he is also handsome

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