"Emma Woodhouse, handsome, clever, and rich"

At the crossroads of the Enlightenment and Romanticism, Jane Austen writes her novel, Emma, filled with ordinary people, places and events, unlike other novels of the time.  This was the time in history when reading novels became one of the main forms of entertainment for many people, but especially the middle class. This highlights an idea of the Enlightenment regarding literacy and the popular press where individuals gained access to learning for themselves on a personal level.  Of course, many new works were too expensive to buy, but around this time period, methods for sharing and borrowing the latest fiction came about including libraries, reading clubs, and subscriptions.  These methods are all still alive in our day as we see the sharing of literary works.  

Matchmaker, Matchmaker, Make Me a Match

Jane Austen’s novel, Emma, takes place in history during a time known as Regency.  This time period gets its name from when George Augustus Frederick of Wales was appointed Regent to his father King George III. Regency is well-known for impressive architecture and arts, and was also a great time when the wealthy flourished.  There are many characters in Emma, who are all well-to-do, and the ones who are not are somewhat at the mercy of the them that are.  Class structures are very obvious in the novel. The idea is woven throughout the novel as many socially insignificant women are caught up in the allure of money, and go after men in whom they have no love interest.  This was a common practice during this time period, because for some, the only way to gain social status was through marriage.  In fact, there is a point in the book where the protagonist Emma, discourages her friend, Harriet Smith, from marrying her true love because of his lack of wealth and low social status. 

We also get a glimpse into the life of a women living in this time period.  Emma has much going for her; she is intelligent, beautiful, and has a great deal of energy.  However, the extent of her abilities go only as far as playing match-maker for her friends, because at this time, the role of women was seen as somewhat confined. So Emma makes the best use of her abilities that she can as she attempts to guide her friends to their own happily ever after.