Throughout the chapter Austen uses many examples of irony typical of her writing style in the whole novel. Emma’s assumptions on page 240 are an example of this.
“Such an adventure as this –a fine young man and a lovely young women thrown together in such a way could hardly fail of suggesting ideas to the coldest heart or the steadiest brain.”
This quotation is the start of yet another misunderstanding on Emma’s behalf. She presumes that Harriet has feelings for Frank Churchill and so begins her attempts at matchmaking. Austen exaggerates the irony seen here when she uses exclamation marks to emphasise Emma’s false assumptions on the relationship.
“It was a very extraordinary thing!”(Page240)
The reader is again encouraged to agree with Emma and Austen writes in a way that depicts Emma’s ideas as correct. She deceives the reader into agreeing with Emma so that Emma is not seen as a villain in any way. Another effective way Austen makes the reader inclined to agree with Emma’s perspective is by use of rhetorical questions. This is demonstrated on page 240,
“Could even a mathematician have seen what she did, have witnessed their appearance together, and heard their history of it, without feeling that circumstances had been at work to make them peculiarly interesting to each other?”
This along with other rhetorical questions in the chapter urges the reader to believe Emma is correct and Austen’s style is very clever.
The language used in the chapter is another important part of Austen’s style. Austen uses many intricate sentences to portray her meaning. Many of her sentences are extremely long such as
“In the few minutes’ conversation, which she had yet had with him, while Harriet had been partially insensible, he had spoken of her terror, her naiveté, her fervour as she seized and clung to his arm, with a sensibility amused and delighted; and just at last, after Harriet’s own account had been given, he had expressed his indignation at the abominable folly of Miss Bickerton in the warmest terms.” Page 240.
Additionally Austen uses language, which today would be viewed as archaic which adds to the authenticity of the novel. The way Harriet and Emma are referred to as “Miss Smith” and “Miss Woodhouse” is another example of Austen’s style writing in the period she was.
Overall Austen demonstrates her approach in various ways all of which can be seen in other chapters of the novel. Her unique style makes her novel enjoyable for the reader and chapter 39 is a particular example of this.
Siobhan Groves What Plights of Fancy has Emma on the subject of matchmaking?
One of the predominant themes of the novel is matchmaking and along with matchmaking goes misunderstandings. Chapter 39 presented many examples of matchmaking and misunderstandings and the same themes are evident in chapter 40.
One of the first mistakes Emma made in her matchmaking attempts was leading Harriet Smith to fall for the ungentle man like Mr Elton. Chapter 40 opens with Harriet confessing to Emma how she had remained in love with Mr Elton long after Emma had believed otherwise. She describes how she had kept relics of Mr Elton hidden even when Emma explained his faults to her.
Austen previously encouraged readers to feel that Emma was to blame for causing Harriet the discontent that the Mr Elton scenario produced. And Harriet’s confessions in this chapter reveal one of Emma’s plights of fancy. Austen persuades readers to sympathise with Harriet again in this chapter by giving Harriet the main voice. Also there is another mention of the rudeness of both the Elton’s at the ball in chapter 38. Austen depicts Harriet as forgiving and kind through some of Harriet’s words such as
“However I assure you Miss Woodhouse I wish her no evil. No let them be ever so happy together, it will not give me another moments pang.” Page 242.
Here she is of course referring to Mr and Mrs Elton. Austen inclines readers to again believe that Emma was at fault attempting to match make the pair. The readers are also inclined to believe that Emma would not make such a mistake again. However this chapter presents the occasion for Emma to conceive some more false ideas on who should receive Harriet’s affections. This is revealed on page 244 when after realising that Harriet’s feelings for Mr Elton have reached a final end
“When,” thought Emma “will there be a beginning of Mr Churchill.”
Clearly Emma has not learned from her mistakes about matchmaking and is only going to continue to make more. The previous chapter provided an occasion for Frank Churchill to save Harriet in a very heroic manner and this led to the inevitable consequence of Emma presuming they would make a good match. This new challenge for Emma leads to a major misunderstanding as when Harriet confides in Emma that the object of her affection is superior to her Emma assumes she means Frank Churchill. Harriet is in fact referring to Mr Knightley. What follows is a series of ambiguous comments, which arise misunderstandings between Harriet and Emma. For example on page 245 when Emma comments,
“I am not at all surprised at you Harriet. The service he rendered you was enough to warm your heart.”
“The service” Emma is referring to is Frank Churchill saving the damsel in distress Harriet from the gypsies. Harriet on the other hand believes “the service” to be Mr Knightley asking her to dance at the ball. Austen builds up this misunderstanding with reference to Harriet’s distress at the time and Emma-completely unaware of what Harriet is talking about- agrees with her absolutely. The reader at this stage is not aware of Emma’s plight of fancy here and the anticipation about what will happen next is intriguing. Then when Emma promises Harriet
“I shall never speak to you again on the subject. I am against all interference.”
The mistake Emma has made here is unbelievable. Emma is determined not to make any more mistakes with her matchmaking and so as to ensure Harriet isn’t hurt again she tells her
“Check your feelings while you can: at any rate do not let them carry you far, unless you are persuaded of him liking you.” Page 245
However the reader is not yet aware that she has in fact already made a huge mistake and even though she resolves not to match make she could be to blame for encouraging Harriet to fall for Mr Knightley. Although he was her social superior so was Mr Elton and it was Emma that led Harriet to fall for him. It could perhaps be said to be Emma’s fault here for leading Harriet to believe she is socially higher than she actual fact is.
Overall Emma makes many mistakes in her matchmaking throughout the novel, which often result in misunderstandings. When she realises that she has made such significant mistakes she resolves to stop match making but as the rest of the novel reveals it is already to late and the damage has been done.
