Essay --

In the novel, Emma, Austen introduced her audience to a new idea of patriarchy. While she is known to satirize society for the â€Å"faulty education of female children, limited expectations for girls and women, and the perils of the marriage market† (â€Å"Austen, Jane†). Austen expresses the irony of the men of her patriarchal society and proposes the ideal gentleman in Mr. Knightley. In Emma, Austen moves away from â€Å"a traditional idea of 'natural' male supremacy towards a 'modern' notion of gender equity† (Marsh). Jane Austen is a revolutionary in the way she transforms the idea of Nineteenth Century patriarchy by not â€Å"reinforcing the traditional gender stereotypes† (Rosenbury) but instead challenging the status quo. While her characters still hold some ties to traditional ideals, Austen proves to be ahead of her time, influencing the way gender is regarded today. In the Eighteenth and Nineteenth centuries, the idea of patriarchy ruled the many societies all over the world. Particularly in Britain, its â€Å"overarching patriarchal model† (Marsh) had â€Å"reserved power and privilege for men† (Marsh). Also during this time period feminist literature began to arise and was invaded by, â€Å"the complex social, ethical, and economic roots of sexual politics†¦ as testimony to gender bias and the double standard† (â€Å"Sexual Politics and Feminist Literature†). In Jane Austen’s writing, readers have been aware of her constant themes of female independence and gender equality. However, many have criticized the author for the fact that many of her â€Å"individualistic† female characters have ended up married. However, â€Å"for pragmatic reasons, the author’s conclusions favor marriage as the ultimate solution, but her pairings predict happiness† (â€Å"Austen, Jane†). Als... ...ied about his intentions during the entire novel, no one truly knows him. Frank’s uncle, Mr. Churchill is inferior to his wife in regards of control. Throughout the novel the reader hears more about his wife than they hear about him. Their relationship represents complete switch of the traditional idea of man being superior to woman. The Knightleys however, John and Isabella, are purely conventional and are ideal couple for Nineteenth Century society’s times. Mr. Elton does not represent true gentility while Mr. Weston too gentle. Although all of these characters have their flaws, Austen finds her perfect figure in George Knightley. His infallible nature is unrealistic, yet it gives society the ultimate gentleman to aspire for. Austen’s Emma is more than a comedic novel of manners but also a quintessential piece that fits perfectly into the lives of today’s society.