Study Guide for Jane Austen's Emma: Course Hero Study Guides

Jane Austen's Emma is a witty and insightful novel that explores the themes of love, marriage, and social class. The novel is set in the early 19th century and follows the story of Emma Woodhouse, a young woman who is convinced that she is a matchmaker. Emma's attempts to arrange marriages for her friends and neighbors often lead to comical and disastrous results.

This study guide will provide you with a comprehensive overview of Emma. You will learn about the novel's characters, plot, themes, and literary devices. You will also find a variety of discussion questions and essay prompts to help you engage with the novel more deeply.

• Emma Woodhouse: The protagonist of the novel, Emma is a young woman who is convinced that she is a matchmaker. She is intelligent, witty, and independent, but she can also be arrogant and judgmental.
• George Knightley: Emma's brother-in-law and the love of her life. Knightley is a kind, intelligent, and responsible man. He is often the only person who can see through Emma's facade and understand her true nature.
• Mr. Elton: A clergyman who is initially interested in Emma. Elton is a vain and ambitious man who is more interested in social status than in love.
• Harriet Smith: A young woman who is introduced to Emma by Mr. Elton. Harriet is a kind and gentle girl, but she is also naive and easily influenced.
• Frank Churchill: A young man who is related to Mr. Woodhouse. Churchill is a charming and attractive man, but he is also secretive and manipulative.

The novel begins with Emma arranging a marriage between her friend Harriet Smith and Mr. Elton. However, Elton is not interested in Harriet, and he eventually marries another woman. Emma is devastated by this, but she eventually realizes that she was wrong to try to arrange marriages for other people.

Study Guide for Jane Austen's Emma (Course Hero Study Guides)

by Course Hero

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Language	:	English
File size	:	986 KB
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Print length	:	37 pages
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After the Elton debacle, Emma begins to develop feelings for her brother-in-law, George Knightley. However, Knightley is initially hesitant to return Emma's affections, because he believes that she is too young and immature. Eventually, Knightley realizes that he loves Emma, and they are married at the end of the novel.

• Love: Emma is a novel about love in all its forms. Austen explores the different types of love, from the romantic love between Emma and Knightley to the familial love between Emma and her father.
• Marriage: Marriage is another important theme in Emma. Austen shows how marriage can be a source of happiness and stability, but also how it can be a source of disappointment and misery.
• Social class: Austen's novels are often set in the upper classes of society, and Emma is no exception. The novel explores the different social classes that exist in England, and how they interact with each other.

• Irony: Irony is used throughout Emma to create humor and to highlight the characters' flaws. For example, Emma is constantly trying to arrange marriages for other people, but she is oblivious to the fact that she is in love with Knightley.
• Foreshadowing: Austen also uses foreshadowing to hint at events that will happen later in the novel. For example, the novel begins with a description of Emma's father's health, which foreshadows his eventual death.
• Symbolism: Austen also uses symbolism to represent different themes and ideas. For example, the Hartfield estate represents Emma's home and family, while the Box Hill picnic represents her attempts to control her own life.

• What are the different types of love that are explored in Emma?
• How does Austen use irony to create humor and to highlight the characters' flaws?
• What does the Hartfield estate represent in the novel?
• How does Emma change over the course of the novel?
• What are the main themes of Emma?

• Discuss the different types of love that are explored in Emma.
• Analyze the use of irony in Emma.
• Describe the different social classes that are represented in Emma.
• Discuss the character of Emma Woodhouse.
• Write an essay about the main themes of Emma.

Emma is a witty and insightful novel that explores the themes of love, marriage, and social class. The novel is full of memorable characters, a well-crafted plot, and a variety of literary devices. This study guide will help you to engage with the novel more deeply and to appreciate its many nuances.

Study Guide for Jane Austen's Emma (Course Hero Study Guides)

by Course Hero

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	986 KB
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	37 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE