Social Class in Emma

Emma" was written at the beginning of the Nineteenth century when dramatic change was going on
in social structures. Up until then society was governed by a rigid class system and mixing of classes
was very rare, however the 'middle class', the land owners and work-force owners were beginning to
carve their own place in society. Increases in international trading and the start of the Industrial
Revolution were key factors in the rise of the 'middle class'. Emma as the daughter of a substantial
landowner and at the top of society resists these changes with immense social snobbery although
she is aware the change is imminent.
"Emma conceives of her society in terms of rigid inequalities; Miss Woodhouse cannot visit Mrs
Martin, the Coles will not presume to invite the Weston's, Mr. Elton may not aspire to the heiress of
Hartfield".She constantly compares everything and everybody to his circle: the only good society she
knows.
Mr. Weston marries a "portionless governess", yet Emma does not oppose this because Mrs Weston
happens to have been her governess
Austen highlights the theme of social class throughout the novel, particularly in terms of Emma’s
relationship with Harriet Smith. As a member of the wealthiest family in Highbury, Emma holds the
highest social position in the community. While she interacts with other characters at an equal level
(such as Mr. Knightley), she also has social responsibilities to less fortunate individuals, such as Miss
Bates, Harriet Smith, and the poor families who live on her estate. Yes, while Austen encourages
compassion and charity in members of the higher classes, she also maintains the importance of class
distinctions. One of Emma’s biggest mistakes is taking the lower-class Harriet Smith and bringing her
to an almost equal social level. While Harriet is a benevolent character, Austen asserts that she is not
an appropriate member of high society and, in fact, would never be accepted if it were not for
Emma’s influence. As a result of this confusion of classes, Harriet develops inappropriate
expectations for marriage and her future and thus risks being rejected from her own peers, such as
the Martin family. Austen also uses Mr. Weston’s first marriage as an example of this: because Mr.
Weston’s first wife was from a higher social class, she was unable to adjust to his lower standard of
living, and the marriage was ultimately an unhappy one.
Emma, like most of Austen’s novels, is a study in 19th Century English society and the significance of
propriety. The rich and “well-bred” control the social situations, issuing and initiating invitations and
friendships. Those of low social standing depend upon the charity and initiative of those in the
higher class. When violations of this order occur, they are often met with great indignation by those
of genteel-breeding, as when Emma takes offense at Mrs. Elton presuming to nickname Mr.
Knightley.
Social class also dictates the social obligations between the characters, and the way in which their
actions respond to these obligations reveals their character. The novel, for instance, teases out the
nuances of charity regarding class: Emma is charitable towards the poor, but shows little initiative in
befriending the orphaned and talented Jane.
The characters’ use or abuse of their social standing reveals much about their kindness or cruelty.
For instance, Emma’s exercise of wit at the expense of the silly, but low-standing Miss Bates is
condemned as cruel by Mr. Knightley because it is an abuse of her social clout. Humiliating the
hapless Miss Bates sets a bad example for those in society who would follow her example. On the
other hand, Mr. Knightley’s asking Harriet to dance after she has been snubbed by Mr. Elton is an act
of charity, graciousness, and chivalry because he is of a high social standing in comparison to both
her and Mr. Elton. His act socially “saves” Harriet and reprimands the Eltons for their rudeness.
Social class also restricts the actions that characters are able to take in fulfilling their desires, as is
most evidently seen in the novel’s drama regarding marriage matches. Frank must conceal his
engagement with Jane because she is an orphan and regarded as an unsuitable social match by his
family. Harriet rejects Robert Martin because Emma advises her that he is “beneath” her. Mr. Elton
rejects Harriet by the same calculations, and so on.
Emma objects highly to Mrs Elton, partly due to her self-inflated ideas of social status: "She brought
no name, no blood, no alliance. Miss Hawkins was the youngest of two daughters of a Bristol
merchant".Mrs Elton shows a great deal of snobbery herself; she is harsh, brash and arrogant, she
boasts on numerous occasions about "Maple Grove", and the "barouche-landau" belonging to her
brother-in-law.
Emma's dislike of the Coles stems from their recently acquired wealth: "They...by this time were, in
fortune and style of living, second only to the family at Hartfield." High rank in society was dictated
more by family history than current wealth. Hereditary wealth was perceived as infinitely superior to
recently earned 'new money'. However, change was imminent with the increase in trade wealth and
the upper class had to accept this, some even embraced it, Emma however refuses to accept these
changes and adapt to this new way of thinking.

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Emma" was written at the beginning of the Nineteenth century when dramatic change was going on

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