Jane Austen does not make Harriet’s background known to us or for any of the other characters in the novel for that matter. It is said that her father is unknown and has no family or fortune. Only ‘family’ she has is Mrs. Goddard, who was the mistress of her school. Her unknown history is something that is frowned upon by the rest of society and would not be considered as a suitable marriage partner, ‘Harriet Smith was the natural daughter of somebody’, and that ‘somebody’ nobody knew as well as Harriet herself. The only companions she had were those that she had met in Highbury and so, her social circle was not very impressive. From the moment Harriet meets Emma, she is influenced by Emma’s nature. Emma is a very influential character especially to someone like Harriet who is very vulnerable and easy to influence. Emma influences her that she can make a much better match than that of the farmer Mr. Martin and tells her to refuse him and consider Mr. Elton as a match. Tony Tanner states that Harriet is ‘easily seduced into believing that it is on the one hand ‘beneath’ her to love Robert Martin, but on the other not ‘above’ her to think that Mr. Elton may love her’. Emma even influences Harriet to believe that Mr. Knightley is an option of marriage for her. This is absurd when referring to Harriet’s social destiny as Mr. Knightley is a great step above Harriet in society.
Jane Fairfax’s background is one quite similar to Harriet’s as she also does not have any parents; however her parents are not unknown by the rest of society. She is ‘the only child of Mrs. Bates’ youngest daughter. Her father was a Lieutenant of a regiment of infantry however died in action abroad and she lost her widow of a mother when she was just three years old. Her social destiny would have consisted of growing up in Highbury with her Grandmother and Aunt, and without any proper connections. However, it is Colonel Campbell who gives Jane status. Through convenient relations between him and Jane’s father, when looking for a child he took notice of Jane. He took care of her and eventually him and his family became so fond of her that he offered to take responsibility for the whole of her education; Jane was a member of the Campbell family. Jane’s social connections were greatly improved with the Campbell’s, she received an excellent education and therefore her social status and destiny was much above what it would have been if Colonel Campbell had not taken her in as part of their family.
Austen presents Harriet as being not very intelligent as Emma comments that ‘she was not struck by anything remarkably clever in Miss Smith’s conversation’. Although she is not presented as a very accomplished girl she is seen as very beautiful by the other members of society. Austen presents Harriet with the appearance of a stereo-typical heroine, ‘short plump and fair, with great fine bloom, blue eyes, light hair, regular features, look of great sweetness’. However she does lack the features intellectually of a stereo-typical heroine. Christopher Gillie states that ‘Harriet’s only intrinsic merits are her prettiness and her artless sweetness of nature’. She lacks the witty nature that all heroines must have; this is something which Jane portrays in Elizabeth Bennet’s, which is a feature that attracts Mr. Darcy towards her. Harriet’s lack of intelligence and accomplishments, which were very much required by a husband, meant that her options for marriage when referring to her social destiny are limited.
On the other hand, Jane is a very accomplished woman due to Colonel Campbell’s generosity of providing for her education. She is extremely intelligent, educated and has had the experience of travelling to Ireland which many people in those days did not have the privilege of travelling abroad. ’Therefore anyone with travelling experience automatically seemed more appealing as it brought over a sense of independence and culture. Due to these factors, Jane Fairfax’s social destiny is of a higher status when compared to Harriet Smith’s. Catherine Neale states that, ‘she is elegant, refined and intelligent, noted for her musicianship, and has been educated to become a governess. If Jane does not marry, she must become a governess because she lacks any money of her own. It is therefore very fortunate for her that she is in a position where she is able to marry well.
After analysing Harriet’s background and Austen’s presentation of her, it seems to be that her social destiny is to marry someone of a lower status. Especially lower than that of Mr. Knightley or Mr. Elton which Emma has led Harriet to believe that she is capable of marrying someone of their status. Mr. Martin seems to be a character which is suitable for Harriet’s status in society. He is a farmer, and despite what Emma says, he is perfectly suited for her. Despite Emma being sure that Harriet’s actual destiny was to marry Mr. Elton and at one point even Frank Churchill, it is in fact to marry Mr. Martin. It is clear right from the beginning of the novel that Harriet is extremely fond of Mr. Martin., ‘she loved to talk of the pleasures of her visit’, she even stands up for Mr. Martin during Miss Woodhouse’s ‘interrogation’. When Mr. Martin proposes for a second time she ecstatic with happiness and even though she believes that Emma will have a negative opinion on the marriage she is very certain in wanting to marry him. It is indeed a love match.
After analysing Jane’s background and Austen’s presentation of her, it seems that even though she is extremely intelligent and had great accomplishments for women of that time, her social destiny would have been a governess and she could end up as a spinster for she was an orphan and had no fortune. However, we learn towards the end of the novel that Jane is in fact secretly engaged to Frank Churchill. Therefore her actual destiny is to marry Frank Churchill and again is similar to Harriet’s actual destiny as it is also a love match.
