Introduction
❖ The first important English woman novelist ❖ Born to a country clergyman’s family;
amiable family atmosphere ❖ Led an uneventful life at her home and the
❖ Her mother died when she was very young, and she has been mistress of the house ever since, certainly since her older sister got married.
❖ Although Emma is a manipulative person for others’ hearts, she didn’t understand her own. Until Harriet finally says that she thinks Mr. Knightly, Emma’s old friend, is in love with her, jealousy makes Emma realize she loves him herself. Knightly has been secretly in love with Emma since long. So they get married and live in Hartsfield with Emma’s father together.
❖ deals with a young woman's maturation into adulthood and the trouble she gets herself into along the way.
Elementaracter ❖ Plot ❖ Theme ❖ Point of view
Jane Austen
1775.12.16-1817
*Her works:
Jane Austen wrote altogether 6 novels:
1) Northanger abbey (1789) 《诺桑觉寺》 2) Sense and Sensibility (1811) 《理智与情感》 3) Pride and Prejudice (1813) 《傲慢与偏见》 4) Mansfield Park (1814) 《曼斯菲尔德庄园》 5) Emma (1816) 《爱玛》 6) Persuasion 《劝导》
❖ In some ways, Emma is mature for her age, although she makes some serious mistakes.
❖ Though vowing she will never marry, she delights in making matches for others.
though he cares deeply for her ❖ the owner of the neighbouring estate of
Dowell, which includes extensive grounds and a farm
Harriet Smith
❖ The illegitimate daughter of initially unknown parents, she is revealed in the last chapter to be the daughter of a fairly rich and decent tradesman, although not a "gentleman".
Main Characters
❖ Emma Woodhouse ❖ Mr. George Knightley ❖ Harriet Smith
Emma Woodhouse
❖ the protagonist of the story, is a beautiful, high-spirited, intellectual, and 'slightly' spoiled woman of almost 21.
❖ Emma takes Harriet under her wing early in the novel, and she becomes the subject of some of Emma's misguided matchmaking attempts.
❖ Harriet initially rebuffs(粗暴拒绝) a marriage proposal from farmer Robert Martin because of Emma's belief that he is beneath her, despite Harriet's own doubtful origins.
nearby town, remaining unmarried all her life
Emma
❖ comic novel about the perils of misconstrued (误解的) romance
❖ comedy of manners
Gwyneth Paltrow starring as Emma Woodhouse in the 1996 film
❖ She seems unable to fall in love, until jealousy makes her realize that she has loved Mr. Knightley all along.
Mr. Knightley
❖ about 37 or 38. ❖ a close friend of Emma, and her only critic,
setting
❖ Austen portrayed the life of the middle class people living in towns from the end of the 18th. century to the beginning of the 19th. century, taking marriage as a subject matter and writing novels with an ironic and humorous tone.
❖ Before she began the novel, Austen wrote, "I am going to take a heroine whom no-one but myself will much like."
❖ In the very first sentence she introduces the title character as "Emma Woodhouse, handsome, clever, and rich." Emma, however, is also rather spoiled; she greatly overestimates her own matchmaking abilities; and she is blind to the dangers of meddling in other people's lives.
Theme
❖ Marriage and social status ❖ The confined nature of women’s existence ❖ The blinding power of imagination ❖ The obstacles to open expression
point of view(视角)
❖ The 3rd person point of view
Homework
❖ Remark one or two characters that you are interested in.
❖ Comment on different types of marriage
Thank you!
❖ Ultimately, Harriet and Mr. Martin are wed, despite Emma‘s meddling (干涉).
Plot
❖ Emma Woodhouse is a young, beautiful, witty, and spoiled woman living in Hartsfield with her elderly widowed father. Encouraged by her previous success, she starts to match her new friend Harriet Smith, a sweet but non-too bright girl, to other gentlemen. Her behavior leads to several misunderstandings and makes good laugh.