The relationship between Mr Weston and his son Frank Churchill is also a clear demonstration of disregard for family value. The absence of intimacy between father and son is reiterated in the changing of Frank’s surname. The discontinuation of the family name is an extremely strong suggestion that they cannot be deemed a family at all. For the two rarely come into contact; very much satirized in the novel and a subject of irony. Frank had never visited his father in his home and it is heavily suggested that Frank’s later residence is only because of the convenient location of his lover, Jane Fairfax, who is also situated in Highbury.
The evident weakness of family relationships within the discussed families can be used in contrast to some others, although the minority. The Bates’ for example, on the one hand struggle to regain their previous superior social status in Highbury. However on the other hand, demonstrate the close family unit that many financially superior family’s lack. For, the relationship between mother and daughter is clearly of great importance and the family have great admiration for their niece, bought up in caring, close, even though adoptive circumstances. The use of contrast between families in different financial situations is an example of Austen’s ridicule of the upper class. For, although they possess the common love of material possessions and money, they do not share the same intensity for love or their family relationships.
The emphasis placed upon material acquisition wealth and status- the true foundations of the Highbury society, can be found in the use of social gatherings and the treatment of marriage and partnership. For, social gatherings are a source of continual display of possession and wealth; providing characters with endless opportunities to emphasise their possessions and status within society. They are not initiated because characters have a real desire to see and share valuable experiences with one another. For example the Crown Ball provides characters with opportunities to focus on appearances, physical qualities and superficial interests.
Marriage and partnership choices are important in emphasis of the true foundations of Highbury. Characters within the novel seek to find the most appropriate and financial beneficial partnerships, rather than marrying for more modern, emotional and romantic reasons. Financial security was an essential in consideration of suitors in the 18th century. Women were financially dependent on men as they could not support themselves; unable to work and without significance in the world outside of the home. Therefore, many relationships were based upon this necessity and are one possible explanation of disregard of family value. The character of Mrs Elton satirically emphasises common marital choices of the time. For, presented as a highly outrageous, irritating and disliked character, she marries Mr Elton nevertheless. Having made his preferred choice apparent, Mr Elton’s genuine affections for Emma are replaced by the choice to marry Augusta Suckling purely for financial motives. Austen therefore suggests that many choices were made even though husband and wife did not even respect each other and indicate the impact of money in society.
Although socially appropriate marriages, according to status are still apparent by the end of the novel, some superficiality associated with characters ceases to continue. In particular, Emma with regards to initial match-making schemes and the initial narrow minded views that she possesses. Emma and Mr Knightly, Harriet with Mr Martin and Jane with Frank Churchill contradict the frequent number of marriages based upon the wrong reasons in the 18th century. There is hope therefore; that the new families created would have valued the importance of family relationships to therefore change the foundations of Highbury, so that they would have indeed become central to the society.