Emma Question 2 Answer

Here are my thoughts on the second question I wish to address about Emma:

“One half of the world cannot understand the pleasures of the other,” says Emma.  Do gender differences constitute an important theme in Emma?  Beyond individual differences in personality among the characters, how do men and women differ in Emma?

Yes, I believe that gender differences do constitute and important theme in Emma.  To begin with, I would like to address this question from a social status point of view.  I get the distinct impression that women, in the world of Emma, view marriage more of a social status, than men do.  I believe this fact because Emma was looking for matches that would improve the social status of her circle.  Whether it was matching her nanny, the new Mrs. Weston, or Harriet to Mr. Elton, she was trying to improve their social statuses.

Men, on the other hand, and Mr. Elton exhibits this trait best, are looking for a woman who will increase their wealth.  Wealth is a very strong social aspect in Jane Austen’s world.  The more money and property men have, the better they are perceived, unlike with women, as I discussed in the previous paragraph.  Men also seem to be looking more long-term in Emma than the women are, between their business interests and their social activities.  The women seem to be looking for the short-term, and how certain activities may improve their standing with potential suitors.

Current day English society is clearly on display in Austen’s Emma, any reader, including myself, can clearly see how culture, and social interactions played a significant role in daily life, and it is so fascinating to me that this culture is something that I cannot experience today.  How fascinating it would’ve been to see this type of society in action!