'A woman's place is to be manipulated', Discuss this with regard to the novel Emma.

‘A woman’s place is to be manipulated’, Discuss this with regard to the novel Emma.

The regency era was very different to modern society. The position of woman can be seen as the main difference. They had to deal with the restrictions of societies expectations, from this the only reward they could receive, or goal to achieve was to get married and have financial security. Although this did not make them powerless against men, simply disadvantaged as their futures were at stake.

Frank is manipulated by his mother. She has a power over him to unconsciously force him to disguise his love of Jane Fairfax. This is proof that some woman had the power to manipulate men as well. But the only woman who could do this would have to be in some considerable power. Although this is not entirely true as Jane also manipulates Frank. She becomes so tired of Franks behaviour that she manipulates him to stop. By threatening him by drastically leaving him to become a governess, he is given a shock and makes it up to her and gets her back. Therefore woman did have the power to manipulate. Even in the regency period where there was almost no equality or rights for woman, they cannot be seen as powerless.

Throughout the beginning of Emma we see that Frank Churchill manipulates Emma. He does this though in order to hide his secret relationship with Jane Fairfax. Jane Fairfax is sent a piano forte by an anonymous sender. This makes Emma believe that there is a relationship between Jane and Mr Dixon and she starts to spread rumours.

‘Of an attachment to Mr Dixon’

This manipulates Emma because it is untrue and he is misinforming Emma. Also he knows that Emma will gossip to others about her findings, from this he is also hurting Jane. Therefore he is being thoughtless ...

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‘Of an attachment to Mr Dixon’

Frank’s manipulation of Emma can be seen as Ironic when he tries to encourage her feelings for him, and steer people away from the idea of himself and Jane being an item when he says,

‘Col. Campbell’s taste at Weymouth…’

This is dramatic irony, because he is trying to refer his own choice and taste of woman. As men were seen to have power and control over the women in society, this enables Frank to take control over the relationship with Jane. By taking power he is acting as the dominant figure but also he is trying to cover up their relationship. This is done when he sends her the pianoforte and creates suspicion amongst the other characters, again showing the male dominance in the patriarchal Regency society.

Another example of Franks mistreating Jane and Emma is Frank’s behaviour at Box Hill. Frank continues to flirt very obviously with Emma. This causes Emma to misread his feelings. This is manipulative as Emma’s feelings are being played with by Frank. Here he is also treating Jane very cruelly. Jane is obviously distressed by his spiteful behaviour.

Mr Knightley’s manipulation over Emma is also apparent in the novel. Mr Knightley’s role in the novel is as Emma’s educator. However his educating can be seen as manipulation of Emma to make her do the right thing. After Emma goes through agnorisis and her education is practically complete. Emma’s character has changed. This influence that Mr Knightly has the change shows his authority or power over her. Mr Knightly has moulded Emma into a character that makes her ideal as his marriage partner, or even the ideal woman to fit her role in society. He guides her to conform to society’s expectations. She is therefore rewarded with marriage which, as I mentioned before was seen as a woman’s only goal in life. The omniscient narrator is used to show that Mr Knightley is in the right by helping Emma through her agnorisis.

However a feminist critic would create a second meaning from this. The second meaning could be that he is trying to form her into a suitable wife. This is by making her less wilfully opinionated from the way she was before. She finally allows him to control her, by surrendering to his advice. Box Hill is an extreme example of Emma’s behaviour where Mr Knightley needs to step in to provide guidance.

Jealousy could be the influence in his manipulation due to Frank’s admiration for Emma and hence he wants her to realise that Frank is unworthy and possibly in love with Jane Fairfax, so that he obtains her for himself. Knightley’s interference is evident at Box Hill, Mr Knightley reprimands her when she behaves inappropriately to Miss Bates.

Also Mr Knightley tries to educate her further on how society operates in terms of marrying within class boundaries when she tries to match Mr Elton and Harriet. It may be observed that Mr Knightley is educating Emma and guiding her through life. However it could also be perceived as him moulding her to form a respectable and well acknowledged woman.

There can be a comparison with Frank’s manipulative behaviour and Mr. Knightley’s. Frank’s manipulation can be seen as quite harsh compared to Mr Knightley’s in relation to the side effects. However Mr Knightley does relate to Frank in manipulating Emma as well, though for different reasons.

Therefore we understand from this that Men did manipulate woman and it was a regular occurrence. However woman could also manipulate men and in some cases this disregards their power, class and wealth. I personally do not think that it could be someone’s place to sit still and be manipulated, we understand that neither can Jane as she fights her manipulation. A woman would not simply accept a place of manipulation.

Lizzie Havercroft