Financial Independence and the Single Woman Essay

Most, if not all of Jane Austens ren takeed novels feature the trials and tribulations of single womenfrom Pride and Prejudice, to Sense and Sensibility, to Emma. The focus is specifically on the concept of jointure as the only viable alternative for a single woman, if she wished to live substantially in her new-mader years. However, eon the subject of world wed to a suitable gentleman is pay in Emma, the main character possesses a quality different from those in the other stories mentionedEmma Woodhouse is financially stable.Therefore, this discussion of Austens Emma will be through with(p) through a different angle, which runs contrary to the authors ingeminate above. Matrimony in Emma is thoroughly explored and its nature as a event for an unmarried womans future, yet it app arently does not contain to the storys protagonist. Further arguments will expose the same system of logic as it is perceived todayafter all, Austen wrote most of her work during the mid- to late 19 th century. II. Emma Woodhouse and MatchmakingThe penchant of the title character for matching her women friends with possible grooms composes the streak narrative of the story. Because of a previous success, Emma decides to do the same for her friend Harriet Smith, an aboveboard but socially-inept young woman. Emma pours all of her efforts in setting Harriet up with the overblown Mr. Elton, and cut all possibilities of Harriets consideration of a marriage aim she had received from Mr. Martin, a young farmer.Eventually, after many plot twists and turns and appearances of more(prenominal) characters, her plans backfire as the arrogant Elton reveals his true desire for Emma, and not for Harriet. Harriet gayly ends up with Martin, and Emma admits to her own affections for her longtime friend Mr. Knightley. It is obvious that Emmas regression with matchmaking does not cover merely attraction she chose Mr. Elton for Harriet mainly because of his financial stability, being the loc al vicar.Compared to the income of a regular farmer, a vicar would ensure a emend life for Harriet. Clearly, the eras societal norms and economic potential for women are at play, for woman were generally not entitled to many occupational choices the most common would be as a family teacher or governess, both which are not financially rewarding. But the biggest bane of women indeed was the possibility of being single until they reach an age unacceptable for marriagewhich would be around the mid-20s.For Emma, born into a wealthy family and allowed to make her own decisions, the best way to make sure her less fortunate women friends would draw good lives ahead would be to marry a rich man. This is not explicitly implied in the story, as Emmas designs were disguised as salutary a bored, rich girls newest hobby. However, in analyzing her own conditions as well as her initial rejection of the poor Mr. Martin for Harriet, it is obvious that she subscribes to the concept of marriage bei ng the only solution for women other than herself.