Representation Of Social Class, Intellectual Independence And Gender Roles In Emma By Jane Austen

Abstract

Emma by Jane Austen, published in 1815, primarily focuses on the social and romantic life of its protagonist, Emma Woodhouse. While the novel does not explicitly address the theme of women's emancipation as a central subject, there are elements and themes within the story that can be interpreted in the context of women's roles and societal expectations during the Regency era. Here are some themes related to women's emancipation that can be explored in Emma. This paper investigates the patriarchal values and feminist ideas in the novel Emma by Jane Austen. The focus of this paper is on how patriarchy and feminism are portrayed in the novel Emma. The study concludes that there are concepts of both feminism and patriarchy in the novel depicted through the situations that the character faces in terms of marriage, social class, and relationships. The result of this paper and my argument is that there is a new emerging society portrayed through the protagonist, Emma Woodhouse, in terms of her personal growth, the patriarchal relationship, and the independence that stems from her education.