Emma through the Marxist Lens

Emma is a novel about a young woman who develops a passion for matchmaking which does not always end up as planned. During the time the novel was written, social status was determined by a combination of family background, reputation, and wealth and of course marriage was one of the main ways in which one could raise or maintain one’s social status. This was especially true for women because it was basically the only way considering the fact that they were unable to work a honest living or accomplish anything on their own.
The Marxist lens help explain how socioeconomic factors influence the characters, plot, setting, or any other aspect of the novel. Marxists believe that a work of literature is not a result of divine inspiration or pure artistic endeavor, but that it arises out of the economic and ideological circumstances surrounding its creation. Marxist Critics view the literature as a reflection of the author’s own class or as an analysis of class relations. Whether the author intended it or not, they are bound to represent socioeconomic inequities and ideological contradictions if they accurately represent the real world. Problems of a character are produced by material/historical realities within which the family operates.
In the novel case, relationship status is the significant influence in social classes. Marxist Critics sometimes overlap with or borrow other concepts to service Marxist goals. There are plenty of examples throughout the novel that suggest the importance of relationships to one’s social status. Mr. Weston’s first marriage to Miss Churchill had ostensibly been a good move for him, because she came from a wealthy and well-connected family and Mr. Weston is a tradesman. The inequality of the relationship caused hardship to both and their marriage soon ended. He then marries Mrs. Weston just prior to the novel’s opening, and this second marriage is happier because their social statuses are more equal.
Another explain is how Emma trys to help Harriet establish a higher social class by ending her engagement with a farmer to start a relationship with Mr. Elton. This relationship shows clear signs of never being able to progress and, to a Marxist, it would be clear that the reason any of Emma’s matches for Harriet fails is because they are not of equal class with her since she is later known to be a daughter of a tradesman and her perfect match was the farmer all along.
Mr. Elton could not be with Harriett because they did not match economically but after leaving for some time, he returns with a wife. The novel well describes how much more of a higher class she is especially compared to Harriett. Because of this, it is easier to understand why Mr. Elton is able to marry to her.
Due to the effectiveness of marrying within one’s own social class, Frank Churchill must keep his engagement to the orphan Jane Fairfax secret because his wealthy aunt would disapprove. This would not surprise a Marxist because the relationship does not correspond with their beliefs.
Lastly, what should have been an unexpected match between Emma and Mr. Knightley was not with the help of Marxist Theory. Emma and Mr. Knightley is considered a good match not only because they are well matched in temperament but also because they are well matched in social class.
Emma the novel clearly exposes the state of economics in the time period. It zoomed in on the its effect on social and political structure. It is evident how society worked based on social classes and if one tried to stray from it, it was sure to fail.