Marriage

Marriage is a prominent theme throughout Emma as the opening of the novel includes the marriage of ‘Poor Miss Taylor’ and Mr. Weston. Their marriage is one of the ones that was not highly anticipated by many. Throughout the rest of Emma, Austen focuses heavily on the anticipation of many to marry based on their wealth and social standing. Mrs Weston’s thoughts at ‘Randalls respecting Emma’s destiny’ with Frank Churchill was based on the understanding that he was raised in society that would allow him to be Emma’s equal. Mrs Weston had been Miss Woodhouse’s governess for many years but had never mentioned any thoughts on the marriage of Emma until she thought of someone who is able to match Emma in ability and class. The idea of who one is expected to marry is carried through in the character of Mr Elton as he ‘would not marry indiscreetly’. Mr Knightley was able to see unlike Emma that Mr Elton was trying to marry someone who was at least his equal in society if not above him. He would try to marry a ‘Miss Somebody else with twenty (thousand pounds) proving that wealth was more important in marriage than love. Austen demonstrates how heavily one relies on their social standing especially their wealth and family background when searching for a suitable partner to marry. For most they were trying to move up in the social ladder however it was far more acceptable for both to marry their equal in status. Mr Knightley and Miss Woodhouse’s quarrel over Mr Martin’s marriage proposal revolves around the ideas that one of them was far more superior to the other. He believes that the proposal is to Harriet’s ‘advantage’ not considering the idea that Harriet may not feel that way towards Mr Martin. Alike Mr Knightley, Emma does not believe that Harriet should marry someone who is her inferior even if his financial status was better than Harriet’s. The idea of rejecting one’s proposal for marriage due to them been inferior is carried on through the carriage ride of Emma and Mr Elton. Emma’s disbelief at the proposal from a ‘nobody’ demonstrates that simply wealth is not enough to marry someone with such good circumstances as Emma. For women however marriage was often far more important than simply moving their way up the social ladder it was more about been able to survive without struggling for the rest of their life. Women were more restricted in their options for work whereas men could find work in almost any occupation and earn themself a decent living. This is evident in Jane Fairfax’s situation where she must find work as a governess because the Campbell’s can no longer support her however her engagement to Frank Churchill will mean that she will no longer have to work to survive. Harriet faces the same problem for if she doesn’t marry ‘she may be a parlour-boarder at Mrs Goddard’s all the rest of her life’ as she has no family and not enough money to survive on her own. Despite the evident need for women to marry which is evident throughout Emma, Austen uses Emma to display what she believes marriage should really be about, love. Due to Emma’s financial situation she had the freedom to remain unmarried without been considered in the same situation as Miss Bates, the old maid. Her belief that ‘if a woman doubts as to whether she should accept a man or not, she ought to refuse him’ is not a common thought throughout the women of Highbury for most women do not reject any proposal. For Emma she believes that the man one wishes to marry should not only be of the same status of her but also ‘the most agreeable man’ she had ever met she did not conform with the idea that women should marry just because they were asked. Emma’s financial status allowed her the freedom to be able to make these decisions however for most women they accepted the first man who asked and hoped that he provided enough for the woman to have a respected life. Tell harriet not to marry unless she has no doubts Must find him the most agreeable man