Set in a Small Town
~Blog Post #4~
Topic E
May 8, 2015
Jane Austen skillfully sets Emma in a tiny little town to communicate that the characters know all about each other and everything they do. Specifically In chapter 38, a Londoner speaks of Emma's small town and says "Time will generally lessen the interest of every attachment not within the daily circle" (332). This rings true at the dance in that chapter. Secrets were actually developed in earlier chapters and Emma and Mr. Knightley reveal what was concealed. The setting of the dance, like many others in earlier chapters, represents the beacon of the major events. This setting is also interesting because it makes a clear distinction between upper classes and lower classes. In this chapter, Mr Elton even says "I am a great advocate for timidity—and I am sure one does not often meet with it.—But in those who are at all inferior, it is extremely prepossessing" (337). Most of the main characters are of higher class and they all speak of people like Mr. Elton calling them "inferior." The parties also bring in major themes of foolishness and folly. Emma learns to mature at this dance when Mr. Knightley finally convinces her of her childish ways which lastly ties in the last themes of the chapter. At the parties everyone has their own reputation and upper class receives respect for theirs. Reputations are given and they are hard to change, but no one seems to judge. Emma is an airhead but being upper class she has a certain amount of respect, so no one calls her out for being quite foolish sometimes. Parties are a huge part of Emma and one of the main settings, I predict there will be one last big change at one last big party in their small little town.
Jaclyn, I 100% agree that parties are major settings for plot changes in the story. Austen uses them throughout the novel. For example, in the beginning she used a party to reveal Mr. Elton's true feelings for Emma. Later on in the book Austen then used parties to introduce and form tighter bonds with characters. For example, at the re-scheduled ball a situation occurred where Harriet and Mr. elton were the only ones without dance partners. Harriet was embarrassed, so Mr. Knightley stepped in and danced with her. Austen showed a more caring side to Mr. Knightley through this situation. Austen writes that, "Knightley has taken pity on little Miss Smith [Harriet]! -Very good natured..." (Austen 312). Through his actions at the party Austen has revealed a different side to her character. Without the party setting, it would be hard for the reader to interpret that Mr. Knightley is in fact a kind-hearted man.
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