Marriage

Marriage is a prominent theme throughout Emma as the opening of the novel includes the marriage of ‘Poor Miss Taylor’ and Mr. Weston. Their marriage is one of the ones that was not highly anticipated by many. Throughout the rest of Emma, Austen focuses heavily on the anticipation of many to marry based on their wealth and social standing. Mrs Weston’s thoughts at ‘Randalls respecting Emma’s destiny’ with Frank Churchill was based on the understanding that he was raised in society that would allow him to be Emma’s equal. Mrs Weston had been Miss Woodhouse’s governess for many years but had never mentioned any thoughts on the marriage of Emma until she thought of someone who is able to match Emma in ability and class. The idea of who one is expected to marry is carried through in the character of Mr Elton as he ‘would not marry indiscreetly’. Mr Knightley was able to see unlike Emma that Mr Elton was trying to marry someone who was at least his equal in society if not above him. He would try to marry a ‘Miss Somebody else with twenty (thousand pounds) proving that wealth was more important in marriage than love.
Austen demonstrates how heavily one relies on their social standing especially their wealth and family background when searching for a suitable partner to marry. For most they were trying to move up in the social ladder however it was far more acceptable for both to marry their equal in status. Mr Knightley and Miss Woodhouse’s quarrel over Mr Martin’s marriage proposal revolves around the ideas that one of them was far more superior to the other. He believes that the proposal is to Harriet’s ‘advantage’ not considering the idea that Harriet may not feel that way towards Mr Martin. Alike Mr Knightley, Emma does not believe that Harriet should marry someone who is her inferior even if his financial status was better than Harriet’s. The idea of rejecting one’s proposal for marriage due to them been inferior is carried on through the carriage ride of Emma and...