Tolog Review: Emma

Emma
by Jane Austen
reviewed by Meghan Sullivan

Although, Jane Austen’s book Emma falls under the genre of romance, she breaks away from the stereotypical trope of male/female romantic relationships and focuses on strong female platonic relationships. Throughout the book the reader watches as Emma, the main protagonist, grows in her relationship with Harriet, her best friend. Harriet is a member of lower society who Emma takes under her wing after losing her other companion Mrs. Weston. As the book progresses, Emma and Harriet’s relationship evolves from mere acquaintances to best friends. The plot of the book is essentially relationships, mainly between Emma and Harriet. However, it also follows the relationships between their other friends, such as Mrs. Weston, Frank Churchill, and Mr. Kingsley. It follows the characters as they go through challenges, triumphs, and struggles of high society.

Set in England in the 1800s, Jane Austen completely goes against societal norms when she created Emma, the strong independent woman who has a “fixed determination… never to marry” (Austen 214). At the time, women were to be seen not heard. Making Emma opposed to marriage, Jane Austen allows the reader to become invested in other relationships. By focusing on the strong platonic relationship between two well written characters instead of a romantic one, Austen is ensuing that the reader realizes that there are multiple types of love. She explores the platonic love between Emma and Harriet, while making the reader emotionally invested in both characters. Emma is a member of the highest social class, but when she loses Mrs. Weston, her governess, she finds herself needing someone to take Mrs. Weston’s place. That is when she meets Harriet, a member of a lower social class. Emma immediately takes to Harriet, because she wants to help introduce her to higher society. Spending so much time at Hartford, Emma’s house, Harriets becomes “exactly the something of which [Emma’s] home required” (Austen 20). Harriet is sweet, naive, and pretty, and Emma enjoys guiding her in the right direction. Emma enjoys spending time with her because she feels like she is needed by Harriet. Throughout the book it becomes apparent that Harriet looks up to Emma with the highest degree of respect and that Emma enjoys mentoring Harriet in her transition to high society. 

Jane Austen’s technique of creating relatable characters keeps the reader engaged because she is emotionally invested in the novel. The reader becomes so invested in the relationship because Jane Austen excels at creating complex characters and relationships. Because Emma and Harriet’s friendship goes through struggles and challenges, it is very three dimensional, allowing the reader to have an easy time relating to it. Rather than being the perfect relationship that no one has, Austen is able to incorporate problems that real people go through. Because of this, the reader is able to empathize with both of the characters and with their friendship as well. When Emma is insecure about her musical skills, Harriet is there to console and comfort her. When Harriet thinks herself too lowly for the guy she likes, Emma is quick to encourage her to not be defined by her social standing. By including faults and insecurities, Austen is allowing the reader to truly connect with both characters, rather than making them both perfect and unrelatable.