Financial Independence and the Single Woman Essay

Most, if not every of Jane Austens renowned novels feature the trials and tribulations of single womenfrom overcharge and Prejudice, to Sense and Sensibility, to Emma. The focus is specifically on the concept of marriage as the only viable choice for a single woman, if she wished to live substantially in her later years. However, while the subject of being wed to a suitable gentleman is present in Emma, the main character possesses a quality distinguishable from those in the other stories mentionedEmma Woodhouse is financially stable.Therefore, this discussion of Austens Emma will be done through a different angle, which runs contrary to the authors paraphrase above. Matrimony in Emma is thoroughly explored and its nature as a solution for an unmarried womans future, yet it apparently does not apply to the storys protagonist. Further arguments will expose the same logic as it is perceived today later all, Austen wrote most of her work during the mid- to late 19th century. II. Em ma Woodhouse and MatchmakingThe taste sensation of the title character for matching her women friends with possible grooms composes the running narrative of the story. Because of a previous success, Emma decides to do the same for her friend Harriet Smith, an innocent but socially-inept young woman. Emma pours all of her efforts in setting Harriet up with the pompous Mr. Elton, and cut all possibilities of Harriets consideration of a marriage proposal she had received from Mr. Martin, a young farmer.Eventually, after many plot twists and turns and appearances of more characters, her plans backfire as the arrogant Elton reveals his true desire for Emma, and not for Harriet. Harriet happily ends up with Martin, and Emma admits to her own affections for her longtime friend Mr. Knightley. It is self-explanatory that Emmas obsession with matchmaking does not cover merely attraction she chose Mr. Elton for Harriet mainly because of his financial stability, being the local vicar.Compared to the income of a regular farmer, a vicar would ensure a better life for Harriet. Clearly, the eras societal norms and economic potential for women are at play, for woman were generally not entitled to many occupational choices the most common would be as a family teacher or governess, both which are not financially rewarding. But the biggest bane of women then was the hatch musical mode of being single until they reach an age unacceptable for marriagewhich would be around the mid-20s.For Emma, born into a wealthy family and allowed to make her own decisions, the best way to make sure her less fortunate women friends would have good lives ahead would be to marry a rich man. This is not explicitly implied in the story, as Emmas designs were disguised as just a bored, rich girls newest hobby. However, in analyzing her own conditions as well as her initial rejection of the unequal Mr. Martin for Harriet, it is obvious that she subscribes to the concept of marriage being the only so lution for women other than herself.