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Abstract：Austen thinks, marriage is a social arrangement based on property with the requirement that both sides be well-matched in social and economic status. That’s limitation for her time.
Key words：reasonable lovestatus
Austen meticulously weaves an illusion that she prefers a marriage based on love. Yet, this love, different from the strong attraction felt between man and woman, is nourished by sense and reason. If directed by will, love will inevitably by ruined. Austen makes great efforts to create gatherings, talks, dances and tea parties where men and women meet. They can take their time to become acquainted with each other before their relation goes any further. The ladies seem to choose their husbands freely, and love them deeply. But indeed the so-called suitors have already been strictly, selected before they ever have a chance of acquaintance with ladies. In fact, a lady must marry a gentleman, and she should never marry out of her own class. In the end, Emma changes her attitude towards Martin. But no matter how noble Martin can be, she still would faint at the very idea of marrying him.
So, the ideal marriage in Emma indeed is based on reason. In Austen’s time, marriage is not the peak of romance. It is a social arrangement based on property with the requirement that both sides be well-matched in social and economic status. Austen’s viewpoint is the typical product of her time. She stresses that love and marriage are nothing but “reasonable love”, close to respect and esteem. Women lives in a harsh and hostile world, then how can they manage to obtain personal happiness though marriage? They have to be cautious and firm in controlling their feelings. Otherwise, they have to suffer and degenerate pitifully.
In summary, Austen describes women’s life in a positive way. Her novels dwell on the heroines’ confrontation with the dichotomy of reality and the power of self-delusion. She inquires into the issues concerning women with realistic insights and reveals maladies of the social systems. Yet, her class nature prevents her from public and penetrating rebellion. She still cherishes the illusion that the system itself is not that bad; therefore, it is capable of self-improvement some day.
参考文献：
[1]Austen，Jane. Emma. London: Penguin 1983.
[2]Jones, Vivien. Judgement and Irony: Emma. London: Macmillan education ltd.1988.
Key words：reasonable lovestatus
Austen meticulously weaves an illusion that she prefers a marriage based on love. Yet, this love, different from the strong attraction felt between man and woman, is nourished by sense and reason. If directed by will, love will inevitably by ruined. Austen makes great efforts to create gatherings, talks, dances and tea parties where men and women meet. They can take their time to become acquainted with each other before their relation goes any further. The ladies seem to choose their husbands freely, and love them deeply. But indeed the so-called suitors have already been strictly, selected before they ever have a chance of acquaintance with ladies. In fact, a lady must marry a gentleman, and she should never marry out of her own class. In the end, Emma changes her attitude towards Martin. But no matter how noble Martin can be, she still would faint at the very idea of marrying him.
So, the ideal marriage in Emma indeed is based on reason. In Austen’s time, marriage is not the peak of romance. It is a social arrangement based on property with the requirement that both sides be well-matched in social and economic status. Austen’s viewpoint is the typical product of her time. She stresses that love and marriage are nothing but “reasonable love”, close to respect and esteem. Women lives in a harsh and hostile world, then how can they manage to obtain personal happiness though marriage? They have to be cautious and firm in controlling their feelings. Otherwise, they have to suffer and degenerate pitifully.
In summary, Austen describes women’s life in a positive way. Her novels dwell on the heroines’ confrontation with the dichotomy of reality and the power of self-delusion. She inquires into the issues concerning women with realistic insights and reveals maladies of the social systems. Yet, her class nature prevents her from public and penetrating rebellion. She still cherishes the illusion that the system itself is not that bad; therefore, it is capable of self-improvement some day.
参考文献：
[1]Austen，Jane. Emma. London: Penguin 1983.
[2]Jones, Vivien. Judgement and Irony: Emma. London: Macmillan education ltd.1988.