摘要:Jane Austens fundamental feminist concerns may be seen from her constant insistence on womens intellectual power. Her firm belief in womens intelligence leads her undoubtedly to revise the conventional female image in popular novels of her day.
nst Harriet for her low birth, including impartial Mr.Knightley, Emma alone dare announce Harriet should not be looked down upon for the sin of her parents because it is not her fault.
Emma insists that Harriet is equal to any one as a human being. At the same time, Emma indirectly condemns the irresponsibility of Harriets parents, especially the unknown father, a symbol of paternal immorality.
When Mr. Knightley calls Harriet a“simpleton” and an “idiot”, he isnt aware that he has again fallen into contradiction. Mr. Knightley apparently regards a womans possession of intellectual power as a disadvantage, a misfortune, or more accurately a sin, because the male-dominated society prefers to cultivate foolish girls who are supposed to listen to men and follow their leadership.
Emma responds by giving a retort:
“...till they do fall in love with well-informed minds instead of handsome faces, a girl, with such loveliness as Harriet, has a certainty of being admired and sought after, of having the power of choosing from among many, consequently a claim to be nice. ...1 am very much mistaken if your sex in general would not think such beauty, and such temper, the highest claims a woman could possess.” ( Jane Austen,1994)
Here Emma evidently criticizes a social willingness to believe physical beauty and submissive temper more admirable than intellectual capabilities or good sense in women.What this paternal society asks a woman to be is an angel in the house rather than a.creature of ration. Mr. Knightley can hardly deny that Emma is right in her judgment.
As the novel develops, Mr. Knightley changes his mind about Harriet after frequent contact with Harriet. Mr. Knightley later tells Emma:“And I am changed also; for I am now very willing to grant you all Harriets good qualities. ”( Jane Austen,1994) “Harriet Smith has some first-rate qualities, which Mrs. Elton is totally without.”( Jane Austen,1994)
He acknowledges Emmas sound power of judgment and superior intelligence by saying “Nature gave you understanding.” In Emma Austen changes the traditional mentor-student relationship between man and woman and tries to show us that an intelligent woman like Emma is capable of making sound judgment, and teaching a man what is right and what is wrong.
B. Emma is a Perfect Self-awareness Woman
Although Emma is a heroine with superior intellectual power, readers do not overlook her weaknesses such as vanity, self-importance and snobbery. However, for all her faults we cant help caring for her because Jane Austen has given her a positive and attractive quality that is self-awareness.
Mr. Knightley has told Emma that he believes in Emmas “serious spirit”. This“serious spirit” refers to the power to objectively analyze ones own words and deeds, carefully examine ones own behavior, judiciously assess ones own right and wrong, and bravely correct ones mistakes. Those who have sound self-awareness and can truly examine
themselves continually will eventually expand their spirit and achieve moral improvement.On the contrary, Austen showed repeatedly those clever people without self-awareness may lose the opportunities of correcting their wrong-doings and tend to end in not only regret and unhappiness, but permanent disgrace.
Emma has been scolded for her interference with Harriet Smith, her insult to Miss Bates as well as her indifference to Jane Fairfax. These criticisms lead
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