Austen's Novel Emma Uses Playful Matchmaking as Disguise for Social Commentary

Austen's novel Emma uses playful matchmaking as disguise for social commentary.

Austen conveys that matchmaking can have destructive consequences and lead to poorly arranged unions between incompatible individuals, and ultimately suggests that enabling individuals to determine their own lifelong partners lead to more fulfilling and enduring marriages. Marriage during the 19th century was an important social and financial decision where socially acceptable matches were based on compatibility of family wealth, reputation, position and ranking in society and there was little regard for mutual affection between the participants of the marriage. Marriage is a method to elevate one's social standing in the society.

Austen portrays how a woman's freedom and independence is heavily reliant on their social standing and wealth within society. Austen suggests that high ranking women have more freedom in determining their own marriages and are less bound by societal expectations and this is seen through the matchmaking schemes of Emma Woodhouse. As Emma is a young wealthy woman from a highly respected family, she has more freedom in determining her marital state and is not dictated by society's standards to make an advantageous match. This is clearly shown in the scene where she rejected Mr Elton, a high-ranking gentleman in society, as she did not harbour any romantic feelings towards him. Furthermore Emma commands higher respect and influence within her network and is able to manipulate others through her matchmaking schemes. By comparison, Harriet comes from a far less impressive background and is therefore keen to make an advantageous marriage in order to elevate her social standing in society. Thus, Austen's narration reflects the disparities of women in the 19th century by showing how high-ranking women wield far more influence and freedom with regards to marriage.

Moreover, Austen emphasises the prevalence of patriarchal values to reflect the decorative and obedient role of women in the Regency era. No doubt, Emma's jealous judgment of Jane Fairfax's physical beauty, as she compares her skin to a flower conveys Emma's admirable and observant nature TALK ABOUT HOW THIS MAKES HER JEALOUS?. Her focus on women as ornamental and refined objects confirms the stereotypical attitudes embraced in the 19th century where women are objectified and marriages seldom take into account the feelings and attitudes of the women towards their prospective husbands.

Throughout the novel, Austen raises concerns on various engagements and romantic connections. As a match-maker, Emma forms potential intimate relationships with two of her friends merely on the basis that they are both single, however she ignores the differing social standings and wealth. This is clearly seen through Emma's attempted match-making between Harriet, a daughter of unknown background and Mr Elton, standard of excellence in Highbury. "Men of sense, whatever you may choose to say, do not want silly wives" this quote portrays Mr Knightley's perception on Emma's match-making and the two diverging views of a romantic relationship.