Abstract

Jane Austen is a famous British female novelist. Her novels are mainly about British gentry women's marriage and family life at the turn of 18th century and 19th century. She uses her unique meticulous observation as well as lively and humorous words to depict the era of her time of the social panorama. Her works are generally related to women with vivid personalities, love, and marriage, and aim to explore the social fallacy and prejudice in these areas and to reveal some weaknesses in human nature. Emma is considered to be the maturest work in Austen’s writing art, in which mainly depicts the exploration process from love to marriage of several young men and women in Highbury. By analyzing and studying Emma, Jane Austen's views on marriage and awareness of the feminism under the patriarchy can be understood in a deeper way. What’s more, this paper can also provide some inspiration for modern women in their views of marriage.

Key words: Jane Austen; Emma ; Women; Views of Marriage

Contents

Abstract

摘要

1  Introduction .1

1.1 An Introduction to the Author2

1.2 An Introduction to Emma.3

1.3 The Social Background of Jane Austen’s Age.5

2  Emma’s Marriage－Perfect Match6

 2.1 Social Factor: The Influence of Bourgeoisie.6

2.2 Individual Factors7  

2.2.1 Emma’s Family Background7

2.2.2 Emma’s Personalities8

3  Harriet’s Marriage－Utilitarian Partnership.10

3.1 Social Factor: The Influence of Patriarchy.10

3.2 Individual Factors.11 

 3.2.1 Harriet’s Family Background11

 3.2.2 Harriet’s Personalities 12

4  Jane’s marriage－Spiritual Companionship14

 4.1Soocial Factor: The Influence of Romanticism14

4.2 Individual Factors15

 4.2.1 Jane’s Family Background.15 

4.2.2 Jane’s Personalities.16

5  Conclusion18

Bibliography.21

Acknowledgments22