Individualism and Emotional Distress in Emma by Jane Austen 

Jane Austen is a phenomenal writer from the Romantic Ages. She was born on December 16, 1775, which means he was born in the American Revolution. Her family consisted of 8 siblings with her being the 7th child. They lived a happy life in Steventon, England. Jane received excellent education and decided to have a more in-depth study in reading. At that moment, Jane realized she wanted to write books. Jane Austen has written many books such as “Pride and Prejudice”, “Elinor and Marianne”, and many more. She has written at least 11 books in her lifetime. Jane died on July 18, 1817 at the age of 41. Her body may have been left in ruins but her soul still remains in this world today through her writings. One of her most well known writings is Emma by Jane Austen.

The story starts off with the perfect girl. She is in the highest class for society, rich, beautiful, wants to be single her whole life, and extremely smart. Her name is Emma and is currently 20 years old. Living in Highbury, Emma has no fun by herself. Her older sister, Isabella, lives with her husband and Miss Taylor just got married. This all changes when Mr. Woodhouse, Emma’s father, decides to have a dinner with friends. One of the people attending the party is Mrs. Goddard. She is the headmaster of a boarding school. To not bore Emma, she brings one of the girls to the dinner and her name is Harriet Smith. They both get along very well because Harriet is pretty and naive and Emma needs a new companion. For the next two months, they learn a lot about each other. As time goes on Emma starts to see Harriet fall for someone. Harriet Smith is falling for the one and only Mr. Robert Martin. this is bad news because he is a farmer and she believes her new companion deserves better social class men than farmers.

Making matters worse, Mr. Martin decides to send a letter to Harriet asking her to be his wife. Harriet politely declines by sending a letter back. It was her choice but Emma kind of influenced her to say no. Emma wants to make sure that Harriet would not fall for him at all so she sets him up with Mr. Elton. Mr. Elton is a well sophisticated man who is in the higher part of the social ladder. Harriet tries to make a connection with Mr. Elton while she still has feelings for Mr. Martin.While this is happening, Emma and Mr.Knightley, Emma’s brother-in-law and close friend, talk about the Mr. Martin and Harriet situation. Mr. Knightley wanted them to be together but Emma didn’t so they got into a big argument. They decided to stop talking to each other but later make up and become friends again. After Harriet try to make a connection, Mr. Elton tells Emma that he wants her and not Harriet. Emma simply tells Mr. Elton that she doesn't like him. Out of nowhere a new character comes to Highbury.

The new character’s name is Frank Churchill. Frank decided to come to visit Mr. Weston (his dad). He is rich, top of the social ladder, highly sophisticated, intelligent, and overall perfection. Everyone adores him except Mr. Knightley. He thinks he is strange and doesnt like his aura. On the other hand, Emma loves him from his looks to his personality. Frank and Emma started to have a little spark between each other until the new girl arrives. Her name is Jane Fairfax. Jane is a pretty girl who doesn't do anything wrong. Emma forms a jealous attraction towards her. Mr. Knighltley talks her out of the jealous attraction to Jane and she starts to lose feelings for Frank. Frank now became a potential husband for Harriet. This all changes at the village ball. All of them are there. Mr. Knightley decides to dance with Harriet because she got embarrassed by Mr. Elton. The rest of them are just enjoying themselves in the ball.

The day after the ball, Harriet got into some trouble with gypsy beggars. Since Harriet isn't good in solving situations herself, Frank comes to save her and be the hero. Now Harriet has gained feelings for Frank Churchill. This is horrible because Jane and Frank have a little secret that no one knows until Mr. Knightley finds out. He tells Emma but Emma chooses to not believe him. Flirting with Frank and insulting Jane’s aunt has made Mr. Knightley call out Emma. Emma becomes sad and cries. As time flies by, Frank’s aunt dies. Since she is dead, Frank and Jane can let their little secret out. They were engaged. He used Emma so no one will know they are engaged. Emma wasn’t embarrassed or hurt but instead she was nervous for Harriet. She got scared how Harriet would react. When Harriet finds out, she comes out to Emma by saying she was actually obtaining feelings for Mr. Knightley.

Emma’s reaction was shock and anger. Her reaction made her realize that she also has feelings for Mr. Knightley. Two girls fighting for the same man. This would sound like it would break a friendship but it didn't. When Mr. Knightley confronted the situation, he claimed his feelings for Emma. Emma was in awe because she thought Mr. Knightley would love Harriet. To make matters even better, Mr. Martin proposes to Harriet Smith again. This time she says yes. The two couples get married and live happily with each other forever.

The themes in Jane Austen are love and friendship. Love is the biggest theme in this book. It can either be portrayed as good or bad throughout the book. When Harriet got asked to be Mr. Martin’s wife for the first time, she was confused. She didn't know if she should say yes because she has feelings for him or to say no because of his social class rating. He is a farmer after all and she could do much better. To solve this problem, Harriet makes a bold decision and ask Emma to help her out. Emma knows a few things about love and tells her a life changing lesson.

In the life changing lesson Emma says, “I lay it down as a general rule, Harriet, that if a woman doubts as to whether she should accept a man or not, she ought to refuse him. If she can hesitate as to say ‘yes’, she ought to say ‘no’ directly. It is not a state to be safely enter into with doubtful feelings, with half a heart.” (Emma 45) Emma explains to Harriet how to choose a husband or how to know if you love someone. Love is constantly sacrificing one’s time, dedication, and affection for a spouse. If you truly love someone, you would agree to saying yes to them for marriage. If you have mixed emotions about the situation, you don't really love them. Another theme in the book is friendship. Friendships throughout the book are broken, reunited, and made. A big part of the book is when Emma and Mr. Knightley broke up being friends. It was all because of the Mr. Martin and Harriet incident. After the argument, Emma says, “She hoped they might now become friends again. She bought it was time to make up. Making up, indeed, would not do. She certainly had not been in the wrong and he would never own that he had.

Concession must be out of the question; but it was time to appear to forget that they had ever quarreled; and she hoped it might rather assist the restoration of friendship.” Emma realizes how important friendship is. Friendship makes your life interesting and filled with thrill. Her friendship with Mr. Knightley is full of thrill and excitement. Without him, her life is simple and boring. She just stays in her house all day doing nothing or being with Harriet. Even with Harriet, it seems like Emma is just helping Harriet only.

Emma by Jane Austen is an example of the Romantic genre because it contains individualism and emotion. Emma as a whole gives an excellent representation of individuality. She chooses to be independent in her love life throughout a majority of the book. She shows how strong she is by being herself. Emma doesn't back down on her opinions for anything or anyone. This all changes in the last segment in the book because of emotion which is the second theme that makes “Emma” a splendid example of the romantic genre. For emotion it is shown through all characters.

For example Harriet’s emotions towards Mr. Martin are all over the place. The only reason she doesn’t want to marry him and start a new life is because he is a farmer in the beginning of their fluctuating relationship. Harriet tries to find love in other people but the people she catches feelings for don't want to be with her at all. After countless trials trying to find someone to fill in the spot Mr. Martin obtained, she finally realized how much she loves Mr. Martin. Realizing this allowed her to make the life changing choice of marrying him. Their relationship shows how emotions range throughout the scale. Harriet and Mr.Martin’s love is the same as many other people in the book. Without individuality or emotion, Emma by Jane Austen would never fulfill its role as a book in the Romantic Age.