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.
e authority because social ideology requires relinquishment of female authority of any form. But Jane Austen is daring in her attempt to subvert the traditional idea by creating a heroine with the power of authority in Emma.
Emma Woodhouse is physically strong, intellectually active and morally superior. She refuses to have her destiny determined by a man. In fact, what makes Emma unusual is the fact that Emma is a woman who asserts her own authority. In so doing, she undoubtedly offends this male-domonated society.Therefore,it is not surprising that Mudricks accusation that "Emma has no tenderness" really means that she is not submissive to men:
hers is"a dominating and uncommitting personality".( Johnson,1988)
In an age when obedience was the only duty of women, the idea was rooted that women
were not qualified for possession of authority because of their inferior intellectual capability. It was even advocated that womens possession of talent is "the possession of a dangerous heritage---a jewel which cannot with propriety be worn". If one says women "preside" in the home, the word preside may produce a startling effect upon the ear of man, (Newton,1997)so warned a conduct-book writer.
Yet, Emma is the real ruler of the household at Hartfield. Her father is poor in health all his life and his intellectual, physical and even moral frailty necessitates his dependence upon Emmas female strength and good judgment. So Emma has been mistress of the house ever since she was twelve. She manages the household with skillful diplomacy.
At the dinner table, Emma takes the duties of "patriarchal hospitality" upon her own shoulders. She allows her father to talk, but supplies food to the visitors in a grand style. When disputes are very likely to break out among her guests, Emma always subtly steers them away from uncomfortable topics.
Emmas excellent superintendence over Hartfield, a symbol of superior female and power, is in sharp contrast with Mr.Woodhouses disability. Austen seems to have subverted the convention that female is supposed to be inferior to male. Instead,Austen hints that the reign of a capable intelligent woman is preferable to that of a man.
Besides her authority in her domestic circle, Emma is also the leader of her whole community People in the neighborhood acknowledge Emmas preeminence. When the Coles,who have accumulated fortune out of trade, intend to hold a dinner party for respectable people in Hibury, the one to whom they attach special importance is Miss Woodhouse. Emma is so sure of herself that she says: "I always deserve the best treatment,because I never put up with any other."( Jane Austen,1994)
At the end of the novel, Emma eventually marries Mr. Knightley and marriage often means relinquishment of female power. Wayne Booth has declared,"Marriage to an intelligent, amiable, good, and attractive man is the best thing that can happen to this heroine…’’( Johnson,1988)With Mr. Knightleys decision of moving to Hartfield after marriage,the ending of Emma turns back on the conventions. Considering his own high status Mr. Knightleys move into Hartfield is extraordinary---“how very few of those men in a rank of life to address Emma would have renounced their own home for Hartfield! ”(Jane Austen,1994) By moving to Hartfield, Mr. Knightley is now sharing Emmas home, and placing himself within her do
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