The effect of the minor characters to the development of Emma in Jane Austen`s Emma.

THE EFFECT OF THE MINOR CHARACTERS TO THE

DEVELOPMENT OF EMMA IN JANE AUSTEN’S

EMMA

AN UNDERGRADUATE THESIS

Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Sarjana Sastra

in English Letters

By

RENGGANIS HENDRYASARI

Student Number: 094214019

ENGLISH LETTERS STUDY PROGRAM DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH LETTERS

FACULTY OF LETTERS SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY

YOGYAKARTA 2015

ii

THE EFFECT OF THE MINOR CHARACTERS TO THE

DEVELOPMENT OF EMMA IN JANE AUSTEN’S

EMMA

AN UNDERGRADUATE THESIS

Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Sarjana Sastra

in English Letters

By

RENGGANIS HENDRYASARI

Student Number: 094214019

ENGLISH LETTERS STUDY PROGRAM DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH LETTERS

FACULTY OF LETTERS SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY

YOGYAKARTA 2015

vii

“Flowers grow out of dark moments.”

viii

For

My dearest parents

ix

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

First of all, I would like to say Alhamdulillah. My deepest gratitude is given to Allah for answering my prayers with guidance so that I can complete this

thesis. Without His blessing, I would not be able to complete this thesis.

I would like to express my gratitude to Drs. Hirmawan Wijanarka,

M.Hum. for being my thesis advisor. I thank him for guiding me patiently and

giving me the best advice that I really need to finish this thesis. I also would like

to say thanks to Maria Ananta Tri S., S.S., M.Ed., for being my co-advisor of this

thesis who has read and given corrections to make this thesis better. I do not

forget to address my thanks to Tatang Iskarna, S.S., M.Hum. and Elisa Dwi

Wardhani, S.S., M.Hum. for being my academic advisor during my study.

My special thank goes to my parents; Hery Purnomo and Indrianingsih, for

their tireless support and prayers. And also thanks to my elder brother, Rangga,

and my little sister, Lita. They will always be the best family in my life.

To my good friends; Lola, Jane, Safiera, Christina ’Key’, Shiane, Tiffany,

Dian, Veny, Niko, Alberd, Teguh, Wahyu, Danang, and Olivia thank you for the

warm friendship, support, motivation, and times that we had. Thank you for

always make me laugh during my hard times. To all my friends from English

Letters, especially class of 2009, thank you for the experience and good times.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

TITLE PAGE……….. ii

APPROVAL PAGE……… iii

ACCEPTANCE PAGE………... iv

LEMBAR PERNYATAAN PERSETUJUAN PUBLIKASI KARYA ILMIAH_{………. v}

STATEMENT OF ORIGINALITY……… vi

MOTTO PAGE……… vii

DEDICATION PAGE……….. viii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS………. ix

TABLE OF CONTENTS………. x

ABSTRACT………... xii

ABSTRAK………. xiii

CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION………. 1

A. Background of the Study……… 1

B. Problem Formulation……….. 3

C. Objectives of the Study……… 3

D. Definition of Terms………. 4

CHAPTER II: REVIEW OF LITERATURE………. 5

A. Review of Related Studies……….. 5

B. Review of Related Theories……… 7

1. Theories of Character and Characterization………. 7

2. Theories of Major and Minor Character……… 10

3. Theory of Character Development………. 11

C. Theoretical Framework……… 12

CHAPTER III: METHODOLOGY………. 13

A. Object of the Study……….. 13

B. Approach of the Study………. 14

C. Method of the Study………. 14

CHAPTER IV: ANALYSIS………... 16

A. Character of Emma Woodhouse……….. 16

B. The Description of the Minor Characters………... 23

C. How the Minor Characters Affect Emma’s Character Development……… 28

1. Changing Emma into a Modest Type of Person toward the Lower Class People……….. 28

2. Changing Emma into a Mature Woman……….. 34

xi

CHAPTER V: CONCLUSION……….. 42

xii

ABSTRACT

RENGGANIS HENDRYASARI. The Effect of the Minor Characters to the Development of Emma In Jane Austen’s Emma_{. Yogyakarta: Departement of} English Letters, Faculty of Letters, Sanata Dharma University, 2015.

This thesis analyzes Jane Austen’s novel entitled Emma. The writer discusses the character development of Emma, the main character in the novel. Emma experiences the character changing affected by the minor characters.

In this thesis, there are three problem formulations. The first problem is the character of Emma as the main character in the novel. The second is the description of the minor characters in the novel. The last is the effect of the minor characters toward Emma’s character development.

This study uses library research to gain the data. The primary source of this research is Jane Austen’s novel entitled Emma. The other references are the previous studies about this novel and also some theories of character and characterization, theories of major and minor character, and theory of character development. This thesis uses New Criticism approach to analyze the character of Emma, the minor characters, and the effect of the minor characters to the development of Emma.

The study finds out the effect of the minor characters toward Emma’s character development. The minor characters have a great contributions in shaping Emma’s character. Firstly, the writer finds that Emma’s character is beautiful, spoiled, generous, meddlesome, arrogant toward the lower class people, and insensitive toward her own feeling. As time goes by and the experiences she goes through, Emma finally changes into a mature woman. She also becomes a modest person toward lower class people. The minor characters such as; Mr. Woodhouse, Mr. Knightley, Frank Churchill, and Harriet Smith helps Emma through their criticism, advice, and suggestion. It makes Emma aware of what she has done. She gets new understanding about how to treat the lower class people. She also becomes aware about her own feeling that actually she loves Mr. Knightley. Her perspective about marriage then changes. She no longer thinks that social status is the important consideration for marriage.

xiii ABSTRAK

RENGGANIS HENDRYASARI. The Effect of the Minor Characters to the Development of Emma In Jane Austen’s Emma_{. Yogyakarta: Jurusan Sastra} Inggris, Fakultas Sastra, Universitas Sanata Dharma, 2015.

Skripsi ini membahas novel karya Jane Austen yang berjudul Emma. Penulis mendiskusikan perkembangan karakter Emma sebagai tokoh utama dalam novel. Emma mengalami perubahan karakter yang disebabkan oleh tokoh-tokoh minor.

Dalam studi ini terdapat tiga rumusan masalah. Permasalahan pertama membahas karakter Emma sebagai tokoh utama dalam novel tersebut. Kedua adalah gambaran mengenai tokoh-tokoh minor dalam novel. Terakhir mengenai pengaruh tokoh-tokoh minor terhadap perkembangan karakter Emma.

Studi ini menggunakan metode studi pustaka untuk mendapatkan data-data yang diperlukan. Data utamanya adalah novel karya Jane Austen yang berjudul Emma. Referensi-referensi lainnya adalah studi yang telah ada sebelumnya mengenai novel tersebut. Selain itu, penulis juga menggunakan referensi tentang teori tentang karakter, pembentukan karakter, dan teori perkembangan karakter. Dalam skripsi ini, penulis juga menggunakan pendekatan New Criticism untuk menganalisa karakter Emma, tokoh-tokoh minor, dan pengaruh tokoh-tokoh minor terhadap perkembangan karakter Emma.

Studi ini menemukan pengaruh lingkungan terhadap perkembangan karakter Emma. Tokoh-tokoh minor mempunyai kontribusi yang besar dalam pembetukan karakter Emma. Pertama, penulis menemukan karakter Emma adalah cantik, manja, dermawan, suka mencampuri urusan orang lain, sombong terhadap orang yang lebih rendah status sosialnya, dan tidak peka terhadap perasaannya sendiri. Seiring berjalannya waktu dan pengalaman yang dia lalui, Emma akhirnya berubah menjadi seorang wanita yang dewasa. Dia juga berubah menjadi seorang yang rendah hati terhadap orang yang lebih rendah status sosialnya. Tokoh-tokoh minor seperti; Mr. Woodhouse, Mr. Knightley, Frank Churchill, dan Harriet Smith membantu Emma melalui kritik, saran, dan nasihat mereka. Ini membuat Emma sadar pada apa yang telah dia lakukan. Dia memperoleh suatu pengertian baru tentang bagaimana seharusnya memperlakukan orang yang lebih rendah statusnya. Dia juga menjadi sadar pada perasaanya sendiri bahwa sebenarnya dia mencintai Mr. Knightley. Cara pandangnya tentang pernikahan pun berubah. Dia tidak lagi berpikir bahwa status sosial adalah pertimbangan utama dalam pernikahan.

1 CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

A. Background of the Study

Literature is one of the works of art and it deals with human’s life and

action. Literature can be used in expressing thoughts and feelings in life through

the language. Some of the great novelists write their novels as a way to express

their ideas on something existed in their daily life and society. Many people

read literature because they want to get something for example enrich their

experience in life, to merely enjoy them, to spend their time or even to get

knowledge.

According to Mayhead, literature can get us out of the track of weary

routine by teaching us to understand something of human living. Reading has

made us aware of new ways in looking at life and at the same time has enlarged

our experience, enlarged our sense of what life (1981: 9).

Life is complex since it deals with various matters and these complexities

are apparently seen through literature. Hudson says that literature is a vital

record of what men had seen in life, what they have thought and felt about those

aspects which have the most immediate and enduring interest of all of us. Thus,

it is fundamentally the expression of life through the medium of language.

The writer chooses one of Jane Austen’s novels entitled Emma to be analyzed in this study. The writer is interested in analyzing this novel because of

the writer’s admiration to the classic novels that are situated in the early

nineteenth century. The writer even read some of them, but Jane Austen’s Emma

is the most favorite novel to the writer. Jane Austen is often regarded as one of the

best English woman novelists in nineteenth century. She is a young lady who has

a great talent in describing the involvements, feeling, and characters of ordinary

life. In the whole of her life Jane Austen only wrote six novels: Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park, Emma, Northanger Abbey, and

Persuasion.

Emma describes the life of the upper-middle class people, for instance, the landowner, farmer or people who are involved in business or trading. The

story takes place in Highbury, a large and populous village. The landscape of

Highbury is a landscape of property because there are many estates there. There

is Hartfield, the home of the Woodhouses, where Emma lived with her widowed

father. The Woodhouses is the most respectable family because they are “the

first in consequence in Highbury” (Austen, 1988: 7). There is also Donwell

Abbey that belongs to Mr. Knightley and Randalls that belongs to Mr. Weston.

Both are to be considered as the top in Highbury Society. There are other

characters such as Mr. Elton, Harriet Smith, Frank Churchill, Miss Bates, Jane

After reading the novel, the writer finds out that the main character has

developed her character. It is interesting because the main character actually

changes all of her ideal because the influence of the minor characters. Here, the

writer tries to analyze Emma as the main character, Mr. Woodhouse, Mr.

Knightley, Frank Churchill, and Harriet Smith as the minor characters and the

development in Emma’s character as affected by the minor characters.

B. Problem Formulation

Based on the background of the study and the title that the writer took, the

writer develops question in order to examine the character development of the

main character as affected by the minor characters.

1. How is Emma’s character described?

2. How are the minor characters described?

3. How do the minor characters affect Emma’s character development?

C. Objective of the Study

Firstly, the study aims to describe the character of the main character in

the novel, Emma. Secondly, the study aims to describe the minor characters, Mr.

Woodhouse, Mr. Knightley, Frank Churchill, and Harriet Smith. Lastly, the

study aims to reveal the effect of the minor characters toward Emma’s character

D. Definition of Terms

In order to make the study more understandable, the terms that are

related to the topic are going to be explained.

The first term is character. According to Abrams, character is person

presented in dramatic or narrative work, who is interpreted by the reader as

being endowed with moral and dispositional qualities that is expressed in what

he says – the dialogue – and by what he does – the action (1999: 20).

The second term is major or main character. According to Stanton, a

major character is character that may dominate the whole story and is presented

frequently to develop from the beginning to the end (1965: 17).

The third term is minor character. According to Stanton, minor character

is presented to explain and to help other characters, especially the major

character. He or she may become an important character in the story, yet he is

still being the minor character to help the major or other minor characters’

development (1965: 17-18).

The last term is character development. According to Barbara H.

Lemme, development is defined as systematic changes in behavior over time that result from interaction between the individual and the external environment

5

CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF LITERATURE

A. Review of Related Studies

Since the novel is classified as a classic or old novel, some studies and

criticisms related to the novel were made. The writer looks for some studies

related to Emmain order to support this study.

According to George Henry Lewes, the author presents characters

clearly from their way of thinking, giving opinion, expressing feeling and

behaving in her novel. Furthermore, he comments that it is easy for an artist to

choose a subject from everyday life but not for her to represent the characters

and their actions that they shall be at one lifelike and interesting. An artist can

choose whenever ordinary people are introduced, they are either made to speak

a language never spoken out of books, and to pursue conduct never observed in

life. Otherwise, they are intolerably wearisome (1970: 7).

Some research about this novel have been done before. The first has

been done by Laurentius Siwitanto entitled Analysis on the Inconsistent Behaviour of the Main Character in Jane Austen’s Emma. The second has been done by Ninik Christianawati entitled The Influence of Other Character toward Emma’s Personality Development As Seen In Jane Austen’s Emma.

The first researcher in his undergraduate thesis use the novel Emma as

the object of the study. He focused on the main character in the novel. Siwitanto

This novel deals with a story of a smart girl who is misleading herself. During its process, she behaves inconsistent because firstly, she wishes others well but, in fact, her action are turning into ill-directed (2002: 8).

Siwitanto found that this novel is interested to be analyzed because of

Graham Hough‘s statement in the afterword of the novel that Emma is the only one that bear the name of its heroine and becoming the most perfect of Jane

Austen’s novels (Austen, 1816: 387). The story is composed by several

characters and events that are woven together.

The second analysis which is done by Ninik Christianawati is different

from the previous researcher. In her undergraduate thesis The Influence of Other Character toward Emma’s Personality Development As Seen In Jane Austen’s Emma, she tried to find out the influence of the other character toward the main character development. Christianawati says

The result of this study shows that Emma’s personality changes. The criticism and advice of Mr. Knightley brings great changes in Emma’s attitude and behaviour (2001: 58).

Christianawati found that Emma’s personality has changed because the

influence of Mr. Knightley. It is shows that the researcher only focuses on one

character who influences the main character’s development.

The difference between this study and the previous studies is this study

is going to see deeper how the main character can be developed by the

influences of the minor characters. It means that the writer not only focuses on

B. Review of Related Theories

In this part, the writer would like to present the relevant theories. Those

theories are theory of character and characterization, theory of setting, and

theory of character development. Those theories are useful because those

theories help the writer to answer all the questions.

1. Theories of Character and Characterization

Since the problem formulation deals with the main character, first of all

the writer considers that understanding the character well is needed in this study

because character has an important role in the novel.

A character gives the readers a description about how the story flows thus

the readers can imagine what the story tells about. As Robert Stanton said

“Every story essentially displays actions. To describe actions in a story, of

course, persons who do those actions are needed. In a story, persons who do

actions are called characters. It is through the knowledge of fictional characters

readers can understand their actions and vice versa” (1965: 17).

M. H Abrams gives a deeper definition of characters. He defines character

as “person presented in a dramatic or narrative work who possess moral and

dispositional qualities that are expressed in what they say- the dialogue- and

what they do-the action-“(1999: 21). Also, he states that fictional characters

have the same characteristics as real human beings because they have

temperaments and moral that will become the motivations of their speeches and

Milligan classifies fictional characters into two kinds based on their roles

in a story. The first is major characters. Major characters are characters who

appear more often than the other characters in a story. Usually, from the

beginning to the end of the story, those characters will become the focus. The

content of the story is focused on their experiences. They perform the important

role in clarifying the theme of the novel. Therefore, the success of the novel is

laid on the performance of the major characters.

The second is secondary character or minor character. Secondary or minor

characters are characters who appear in certain setting. They necessarily become

the background of the major characters and their roles are less important than

that of the major characters because the focal experiences are on the major

characters (1983: 155).

According to Rohrberger and Woods, characters have particular

personalities and physical attributes that distinguish them from other character.

The process by which an author creates the character is called characterization

(1971: 20). Characterization refers to “the representation of persons in narrative

or dramative works”.

Further, M.J Murphy provides nine ways on how the author presents the

characters, as follows:

a. Personal description

What the author means by personal description is that the author can

b. Character as seen by another

Instead of describing a character directly, the author can describe him

through the eyes and opinions of another (1972: 162).

c. Speech

The author gives an insight into the character of one of the persons in the

book through what the person says. Whenever a person speaks, whenever he

is in conversation with another, whenever he puts forward an opinion, he is

giving the reader some clues to his character (1972: 164).

d. Past life

A person’s past life can give the reader a clue to events that have helped to

shapea person’s character. This can be done by a direct comment by author ,

through the person’s thoughts, through his conversation or through the

medium of another person (1972: 166).

e. Conversations of others

The author can also give the reader a clue to a person’s character through the

conversations of other people and the things they say about him. People do

talk about other people and the things they say often give us a clue to the

character of the person spoken about (1972: 167).

f. Reactions

The author can give the reader a clue to a person’s character by letting the

reader know how the person reacts to various situations and events (1972:

g. Direct comment

The author can describe or comment on a person’s character directly (1972:

170).

h. Thoughts

The author can give the reader direct knowledge of what a person is thinking

about. It can be seen by the readers but cannot be seen by other characters in

the story (1972: 171).

i. Mannerism

The author can describe a person’s mannerisms and habits, which may also

tell us something about his character (1972: 173)

These are nine ways of the author’s attempt to describe the characteristics of

the character. The writer uses several of the ways to describe the characteristics

of the character in Jane Austen’s Emma.

2. Theories of Major and Minor Character

According to Koesnosoebroto, character may be divided into two

categories:

a. Major character

Major character can be the center of the story. Usually the acts in the story are

focused to the character from the beginning to the end. Therefore, the study is

b. Minor character

Minor characters appear in certain parts, just necessarily to become the

background for the major character. Their roles are less important than the

major character but they cannot be ignored (1988: 23).

According to Reaske, the main character in dramatic/narrative works is

inherently important because he/she is an active character who performs acts.

We take a long hard look in him/her in order to understand on the author’s

meaning. He/she usually undergoes certain changes as result of the action in

the story (1970: 169).

The minor characters in the narrative works are different from the

appearance of the major character. Minor characters are characters that enter

and depart from action considerable frequency, and while they are often

entertain /dramatic, they are less important to the total significance of the

work. The minor characters can also act as supporting characters for the major

character in the novel.

3. Theory of Character Development

E.M Forster says that character development is the changing of the

character from the beginning until the end of the story. A character is developed

if she or he experiences a change from some aspect of disposition, personality,

or outlook. He is not the same person as he was at the beginning of the story. He

changes into a new character. The changing depends on the condition and

Drs. E Van De Laar and Dr. N. Schoonderwoerd says that action and

incident spring out of character and having occurred they changed it, so that at

the end of the novel a character should have changed, have developed, and

should be different from what it was in the beginning of the novel (1963: 171).

Laurence Perrine states that the character in the novel does not change in a

sudden way, but changes step by step. The character must begin the change with

smaller change should be sufficiently motivated by circumstances. One cannot

changes his or her characteristics so suddenly without any reasons, but it must

follow sufficiently time and reason of the changes (1974: 71).

C. Theoretical Framework

With the theory of character and characterization, major and minor

character and the theory of character development, the writer is able to analyze

the character of the main character in order to make the thesis understandable. It

can be seen what kind of person the main character belongs to. Since the

analysis is closely related to the main character, it is important to see the main

character thoroughly, which is Emma, in order to shape, provide, and lead her to

the matter pointed in the problem formulation of this thesis. The theories on

major and minor character and the theory of character development are

employed to analyze how the development of Emma as the main character as

13

CHAPTER III

METHODOLOGY

A. Object of the Study

The object of the study is Jane Austen’s novel entitled Emma.It was first published by John Murray in 1816. While the book that the writer analyzed was

published in 1988 by Penguin Books Ltd. The novel consists of 387 pages that

are divided into three sections. These three sections are divided into chapters.

The first and second sections are the same, from chapter 1 until chapter 18. Only

the third section which is until chapter 19. The first section tells about the failure

of Emma in matchmaking Harriet Smith to Mr. Elton and the postponement of

Frank Churchill to visit Highbury. The second section tells about Mr. Elton’s

marriage to Augusta Hawkins and Emma’s interest to Frank Churchill who

finally arrives in Highburry. The last section tells about the awareness of Emma

about her love to Mr. Knightley and the agreement of Emma to let Harriet Smith

marry Robert Martin.

Although Emma is not the most popular novel of Jane Austen, it is regarded as her greatest, as Frank N. Magill says “Although Pride and Prejudice

has always been her most popular novel, Emma is generally regarded as her greatest” (1989: 240).

B. Approach of the Study

This study applies New Criticism as its approach. Bressler states that the

purpose of New Criticism is to reveal the structure of the work of art and its

interrelationship and to find out the idea developed from the work itself (1999:

43). This approach is chosen since the study focuses on the elements within the

novel, which is characters. Bressler also mentions that the New Criticism

features the interrelation and interconnection of each element to reflect the

work’s main idea, thus the elements and the form of the work cannot be

separable (1999: 43). To discover the overall meaning of the form of a work , all

elements must be analyzed and united first (1999: 44).

C. Method of the Study

The method that is used in the study is library research. The writer read

and collected data from books and other sources to support the study. It consists

of primary and secondary sources.

The primary source of this study is Emma, a novel by Jane Austen. The secondary sources were taken from previous studies related to this study and

some books which could be utilized to support this study, such as; An Approach to English Literature, A Glossary of Literary Terms, Aspect of the Novel, A Great Victorian Assessment of Jane Austen, An Introduction to Fiction, Literary Criticism, Understanding Unseens, The Anatomy of Prose Fiction, Reading and Writing about Literature, and The College’s Writer’s Guide to the Study of Literature. All those books help the writer to analyze the problems of this study.

The first step in doing this study was reading the novel thoroughly and

taking some notes from chapter to chapter, to get better understanding. After

reading the novel, the writer found an interesting thing in the main character,

Emma, and decided to analyze her character. Then, the writer tried to find some

studies about Emma. Some studies were used to helped the writer to provide a better information about the novel and the author. After that, the writer

analyzing the novel based on the topic using some theories. Those theories were

theories of character and characterization, theories of major and minor

characters, and theory of character development. The character of Emma could

be described as beautiful and generous, but still spoiled, arrogant, meddlesome,

and insensitive toward her own feeling.

The study is also supported by the previous studies that had been done

before as the review of related studies. Some theories were also applied in this

study. The next was applying the New Criticism approach to answer the third

problem formulation in order to see how the minor characters affect Emma’s

character development. And the last, the writer took a conclusion from the

16

CHAPTER IV

ANALYSIS

In this chapter, the writer tries to analyze the problems one by one. The

first problem discusses the character of the main character of the novel. The

second problem deals with the description of the minor characters in the novel.

Meanwhile, the last problem discusses the character development of the main

character as affected by the minor characters of the novel. All the discussions

are aimed to see how the minor characters may give contribution to the change

of one’s character.

A. Character of Emma Woodhouse

In this part, the writer tries to answer the first problem that is stated in

the problem formulation, which is about the main character. The main character

is the centre of the story and has the most important role in the story. The main

character who is discussed here is Emma Woodhouse. According to Murphy

there are nine ways how the author presents the characters, such as; personal

description, character as seen by another, speech, past life, conversations of

others, reactions, direct comment, thoughts, and mannerism (1972: 161). Some

of them are used by the author of the novel to describe the main character in

Emma. The writer tries to analyze Emma’s character through her personal description, the other characters say about her, direct comment on her, her

1. Beautiful

Emma’s physical appearance is beautiful. From the beginning of the novel,

the author gives a description about Emma

Emma Woodhouse, handsome, clever, and rich, with a comfortable home and happy disposition, seemed to unite some of the best blessings of existence; and had lived nearly twenty-one years in the world with very little to distress or vex her (Austen, 1988: 4).

So, Emma, the protagonist, is beautiful, clever and rich young lady with a

happy disposition. She is almost twenty-one years old and the second daughter

of Mr.Woodhouse.

The other minor character also look at Emma as a beautiful type of person.

Harriet says, “I do so wonder, Miss Woodhouse, that you should not be married,

or going to be married! So charming as you are!” (Austen, 1988: 69). Indeed,

Emma is a young woman who experiences all comforts life has to give.

2. Spoiled

Emma is presented as a woman who is spoiled, besides all her comfortable

situation. As the author continues describing Emma

The real evils indeed of Emma’s situation were the power of having rather too much her own way, and a disposition to think a little too well of herself; these were the disadvantages which threatened alloy to her many enjoyments. (Austen, 1988: 4)

It becomes more clear and clear that Emma is a spoiled girl when the other

Emma is spoiled by being the cleverest of her family. At ten years old, she had the misfortune of being able to answer the questions which puzzled her sister at seventeen. She was always quick and assured: Isabella slow and diffident. And ever since she was twelve, Emma has been mistress of the house and of you all. In her mother she lost the only person able to cope with her. She inherits her mother’s talents and must have been under subjection to her (Austen, 1988: 30).

Mr. Knightley says that Emma’s being spoiled as the cleverest of the family

and unrestricted doing are making her to think that she is always clever, she has

no faults, believes that she is always true. That kind of condition drives her to

become self-centered. This can be shown through the conversation between the

two

“To be sure – our discordancies must always arise from my being in the wrong.”

“Yes,” said he, smiling – “and reason good. I was sixteen years old when you were born.”

“A material difference then,” she replied – “and no doubt you were much my superior in judgment at that period of our lives; but does not the lapse of one-and-twenty years bring our understandings a good deal nearer?”

“Yes – a good deal nearer.”

“But still, not near enough to give me a chance of being right, if we think differently.”

“I have still the advantage of you by sixteen years’ experience, and by not being a pretty young woman and a spoiled child.”

“That’s true,” she cried – “very true. Little Emma, grow up a better woman than your aunt. Be infinitely cleverer and not half so conceited. Now, Mr.Knightley, a word or two more, and I have done. I must say that no effects on my side of the argument have yet proved wrong” (Austen, 1988: 79 - 80).

It shows that when somebody encounters Emma’s thoughts and believes,

she will eagerly prove them. And, when somebody seems to lay across her way,

she will become aggressive to sweep him aside. These are aimed to fulfill her

3. Generous

Emma is a generous type of person. It can be seen when she visits a poor

family outside Highbury. As the author states

Though now the middle of December, there had yet been no weather to prevent the young ladies from tolerably regular exercise; and on tomorrow, Emma had a charitable visit to pay to a poor sick family who lived a little way out of Highbury (Austen, 1988: 69).

From the quotation above shows that Emma makes a charity work to other

people. Besides, she also sends a handquarter of pork to Mrs. and Miss Bates,

therefore Miss Bates thanks for her kindness. When Emma hears that Jane

Fairfax is ill, she decides to visit her and wish that her condition becomes better.

Her generosity lead her to become the person who also care for other people.

She really cares about her father. She does not leave her father alone in

Hartfield, even though she finally married to Mr. Knightley. As her father

comments, "Emma never thinks of herself, if she can do good to others”

(Austen, 1988: 12).

She cares about Mr. Elton, for she finds him a suitable wife. And she also

cares about Harriet Smith, an orphan, one of Mrs. Goddard’s older pupils and

grew up at Mr. Goddard’s boarding school for girls. Emma took charge of

Harriet. She attempts to improve Harriet’s manner, knowledge, and also

acquaintances. She tries to improve Harriet into a good society.

She would notice her, she would improve her: she would detach her from her bad acquaintance and introduce her into good society; she would form her opinions and her manners (Austen, 1988: 20).

4. Meddlesome

Another characteristic of Emma is meddlesome. Her meddlesome regard for

her own judgement in matchmaking. In the first chapter of the novel, the author

describe that Emma loves to matchmaking in her neighborhood. Therefore,

Emma becomes such a bull - headed girl to ignore her father’s comment in

asking her to make no more matches and foretell things, because he thinks they

always come to pass. She tells her father that she is not going to make a match

for herself.

I promise you to make none for myself, Papa; but I must, indeed for other people. It is the greatest amusement in the world …dear Papa, you cannot think that I shall leave off match-making (Austen, 1988: 9).

This becoming clearer when her father asks her once more “My dear, pray

do not make any more matches; they are silly things, and break up one’s family

circle grievously” (Austen, 1988: 10). Emma refuse her father’s ask by saying

Only one more, Papa; only for Mr. Elton. Poor Mr. Elton! You like Mr. Elton, Papa, -I must look about for a wife for him … I think very well of Mr. Elton, and this is the only way I have of doing him a service (Austen, 1988: 10).

Then she decides to match between Mr. Elton and Harriet Smith. She also

influences Harriet in rejecting Robert Martin’s proposal by claiming that a

woman should always say no if there is a little bit of doubt.

Harriet, that if a woman doubts as to whether she should accept a man or not, she certainly ought to refuse him. If she can hesitate as to ‘Yes’, she ought to say ‘No’ directly. It is not a state to be safely entered into with doubtful feelings, with half a heart. I thought it my duty as a friend, and older than yourself, to say thus much to you (Austen, 1988: 43).

Emma also says to Harriet that Harriet’s acquaintance, the farmer named

Robert Martin, are inappropriate for Harriet. She says that the Martins are too

common for her.

But they must be coarse and unpolished and very unfit to be the intimates of a girl who wanted only a little more knowledge and elegance to be quite perfect (Austen, 1988:20).

However Emma’s attempts in improving Harriet would not do well for her.

Even though she has a good intentions towards Harriet, but this drives her to

become meddlesome. Emma is wrong in thinking that Mr. Elton is interested in

Harriet, but actually in Emma herself. This is also the same as her own thinking

that there is an affair between Frank Churchill and Harriet Smith.

5. Arrogant

Emma is a kind of person who has some sense of arrogance. She is snobbish

for the people lower than her social position. She tells Harriet that she never

wishes to be married because she has not yet found someone superior to herself.

She says that the status of Mr. Elton is lower than her.

But he must know that in fortune and consequence she was greatly his superior. He must know that the Woodhouses had been settled for several generations at Hartfield, the younger branch of a very ancient family, and that the Eltons were nobody (Austen, 1988: 110).

The quotation shows Emma’s sense of arrogance. She rejects Mr. Elton’s

proposal then she insults that a person as low as Mr. Elton would not fit her

She also reminds Harriet that even she is not married, she would never be

like Miss Bates, a poor old maid woman who lacks of money. She would be a

single woman with a fortune.

Another character of Emma that shows her arrogance is that she does not

like to be equaled with anyone else. Therefore, the presence of Jane Fairfax in

Highbury makes her jealous. She dislikes Jane Fairfax because she equals

Emma in the beauty, education, and talent. Emma also dislikes Augusta

Hawkins, the wife of Mr. Elton. For the first time Emma saw Augusta Hawkins

at church, she really dislikes her. Emma dislikes Augusta Hawkins because she

presumes herself to be higher in society than she actually is. The author says

She did not really like her. She would not be in a hurry to find fault, but she suspected that there was no elegance; ease but not elegance. She must almost sure that for a young man , a stranger, a bride, there was too much ease. Her person was rather good; her face not unpretty; but neither feature nor air nor voice nor manner were elegant. Emma thought, at least, it would turn out so (Austen, 1988: 213).

Emma’s sense of arrogance also can be seen in the way she treats the lower

class people rudely. It shows when she treats Miss bates. She make fun of Miss

Bates when they are at Box Hill. When Miss Bates begins to chatter on

incessantly, Emma puts her down harshly by telling her that she is limited to

only three dull things and that is hurts Miss Bates’ feeling.

Miss Bates, deceived by the mock ceremony of her manner, did not immediately catch her meaning; but when it burst on her, it could not anger, though a slight blush showed that it could pain her (Austen, 1988: 294).

7. Insensitive

Emma is also a type of person who has less sensitivity towards her own

feeling. From the beginning, when Emma tries to meddle between Mr. Elton’s

and Harriet Smith’s love affair, she is not aware that actually Mr. Elton has

fallen in love with Emma herself, not with Harriet.

She does not know until Mr. Elton professes his love to Emma. In fact, Mr.

Elton gives some hints showing his romantic attachment to Emma; when Emma

decides to draw a portrait of Harriet Smith for Mr. Elton, he seems more

interested in Emma, rather than Harriet. Emma is also unaware of her feeling

towards Mr. Knightley that she actually loves, and she never really cares for

Frank Churchill.

She saw that there never had been a time when she did not consider Mr. Knightley as infinitely the superior or when his regard for her had not been infinitely the most dear. She saw that in persuading herself, in fancying, in acting to the contrary, she had been entirely under delusion, totally ignorant for her own heart, and, in short, that she had never really cared for Frank Churchill at all (Austen, 1988: 327-328).

B. The Description of the Minor Characters

In this part, the writer tries to give a description about the minor

characters in the novel. They are Mr. Woodhouse, Mr. Knightley, Frank

Churchill, and Harriet Smith. It is necessary to understand the minor characters

1. Mr. Woodhouse

Mr. Woodhouse is Emma’s father. He is an old man who is spoiled with his

youngest daughter (Emma) and also a nervous man. He hates changing,

therefore greets marriage as a misery. He also obsesses too much to his health.

He often shares his fears with people around him. He does not like a big parties,

or late nights. As the author describe

He was a nervous man, easily depressed; fond of everybody that he was used to, and hating change of every change. Matrimony, as the origin of change, was always disagreeable (Austen, 1988: 6).

2. Mr. Knightley

Mr. Knightley is an old friend of the Woodhouse family. He is a sensible

man about seven or eight-and-thirty. He is not only a very old and intimate

friend of the Woodhouse, but particularly connected as the elder brother of

Isabella’s husband. His house is about a mile from Highbury and he is frequent

visitor to Hartfield. (Austen, 1988: 7).

Mr. Knightley is one of the few people who can see faults in Emma and the

only one who ever told her of them. Although sometimes Emma does not

appreciate his advice, but Mr. Knightley always be there. When Emma tries to

improve Harriet Smith, Mr. Knightley reminds her that Harriet is not suitable

friend for her because of the difference intelligence. It is because Emma has a

superior position and she also has a better education than Harriet. It makes

Emma wants to dictate Harriet. Mr. Knightley tells Mrs. Weston

She is not the superior young woman which Emma’s friend ought to be. But on the other hand, as Emma wants to see her better informed, it will be an inducement to her to read more herself (Austen, 1988: 29).

Another example that Mr. Knightley tries to improves Emma is when Emma

insults Miss Bates at Box Hill. Emma says a rude word toward Miss Bates.

Because of this, Mr. Knightley reminds her that it is not right.

I cannot see you unfeeling to Miss Bates? How could you be so insolent in your wit to a woman of her character, age and situation? -Emma , I had not thought it possible (Austen, 1988: 297).

It shows that Mr. Knightley is a kind person because he wants to improve

Emma. His kindness also revealed when he saves Harriet at the dance. He

dances to Harriet because Mr. Elton refuses her. Therefore, to cure her heart and

to save her from feeling ashamed he asks Harriet to dance with him.

Mr. Knightley leading Harriet to the set! –Never had she been more surprised, seldom more delighted, than at that instant (Austen, 1988: 260).

Mr. Knightley is also a rational man. It can be seen when he gives opinion

about Mr. Martin. He thinks that Mr. Martin is a good match for Harriet because

he is close to her rank. According to Mr. Knightley, Mr. Martin’s rank is higher

than Harriet. On the contrary, Emma thinks that Mr. Martin has a lower rank

than Harriet. As the result, they debate each other.

‘Not Harriet’s equal!’ exclaimed Mr. Knightley loudly and warmly; and with calmer asperity, added, a few moments afterwards,’ No, he is not her equal indeed, for he is as much her superior in sense as in situation. Emma, your infatuation about that girl blinds you. What are Harriet Smith’s claims, either of birth, nature or education, to any connection higher than Robert Martin? She is natural daughter of anybody knows whom, with probably no settled provision at all, and certainly no respectable relations (Austen, 1988: 50).

3. Frank Churchill

Frank Churchill is the son of Mr. Weston with his first wife. His aunt and

uncle, Mr. and Mrs. Churchill raises him. He is charming and attractive person.

The Frank Churchill so long talked of, so high in interest, was actually before her. He was presented to her and she did not think too much had been said in his praise. He was a very good looking young-man; height, air, address – all were unexceptionable; and his countenance had a great deal of spirit and liveliness of his father’s – he looked quick and sensible (Austen, 1988: 152).

When he visits Highbury, he plans to meet Jane Fairfax, a niece of Miss

Bates. He meets her in Weymouth, and in that place he makes a secret

engagement with her. In the contrary, the Westons hope that he will marry

Emma. Therefore to fulfill their hopes, he flirts with Emma. He does it because

he thinks that Emma has known the secret of engagement. Unfortunately, it is

wrong and Emma trapped in her feeling, she falls in love with him.

‘I certainly must,’ said she. ‘This sensation of listlessness, weariness, stupidity, this disinclination to sit down and employ myself, this feeling of every thing’s being dull and insipid about the house! I must be in love; I should be the oddest creature in the world if I were not – for a few weeks at least’ (Austen, 1988: 208).

4. Harriet Smith

Physically, Harriet Smith is pretty. She is short, plump and fair, with a fine

bloom, blue eyes, light hair, regular features, and a look of great sweetness

(Austen, 1988: 18). She is a young girl, aged 17 years old. Her parentage is

unknown, therefore she is raised by Mrs. Goddard. The author also describes

Harriet as a woman who is not clever and totally free from arrogance (Austen,

When Harriet meets Emma for the first time, she is very happy and proud of

it. She thinks that Emma Woodhouse is a great person in Highbury. Therefore, it

is an honour for her to meet and be friend with Emma.

The happiness of Miss Smith was quite equal to her intentions. Miss Woodhouse was so great a personage in Highbury, that the prospect of the introduction had given as much panic as pleasure- but the humble, grateful, little girl went off with highly gratified feelings, delighted with the affability with which Miss Woodhouse had treated her all the evening, and actually shaken hands with her at last! (Austen, 1988: 19-20).

Harriet admires Emma quietly even Harriet sleeps at Hartfield, house of

Woodhouses. It indicates that Harriet thinks of herself as a resident of Hartfield,

which will obviously fit her greater status than she deserves.

Harriet slept at Hartfield that night. For some weeks past she had been spending more than half her time there, and gradually getting to have a bed-room appropriated to herself (Austen, 1988: 47).

However, Harriet’s admiration toward Emma becomes a bad thing. Harriet

thinks that Emma is always right. Everything that Emma said, Harriet always

hears and accepts them without any considerations. When Harriet gets proposal

of marriage from Robert Martin, Emma influences Harriet to refuse Mr.

Martin’s proposal. Then Harriet refuses his proposal. Actually, Harriet loves Mr.

Martin but she holds on Emma’s opinion. It shows that Harriet does not have a

self-confidence to determine her future. She is too dependent her life on Emma.

She does not have her own opinion. She does not know who someone will be

C. How the Minor Characters Affect Emma’s Character Development

According to Forster, a character is developed if she or he experiences a

change from some aspect of disposition, personality, or outlook. He is not the

same person as he was at the beginning of the story. He changes into a new

character. The changing depends on the condition and experiences as it is in the

story (1974: 54). Through Forster’s theory on character development, the writer

found that Emma’s character has been developed. She is not the same person as

she was at the beginning. The minor characters in the novel give contributions

toward Emma’s character development.

1. Changing Emma into a Modest Type of Person toward the Lower Class

People

Firstly, Emma is told as a young woman who is arrogant. Emma’s sense of

arrogance can be shown in the way she treats the lower class people. Emma

born in a respectable family. Her social position as the highest class person

makes her to be an arrogant and snobbish towards the lower class people.

When the Coles, a family who involved in trading, invites her to have

dinner, Emma thinks that she should refuse it. As the author states

The regular and best families Emma could hardly suppose they would presume to invite – neither Donwell, nor Hartfield, nor Randalls. The Coles were very respectable in their way, but they ought to be taught that it was not for them to arrange the terms on which the superior families would visit them (Austen, 1988: 163).

From Emma’s thought, it is very improper if the Coles would invites her for

dinner because they are not from her class. In Highbury society, the higher

ranked families prescribe the rules of their acquaintance. The Coles are new rich

and Emma does not want to accept them in her circle. As a women in a high

place in society she may decide her own social circle, not the Cole family,

although they are wealthy, but should not determine the society in which they

are interact with the higher members of the society. The author continues

describe Emma’s feeling.

She felt that she should like to have had the power of refusal; and afterwards, as the idea of the party to be assembled there, consisting precisely of those whose society was dearest to her, occurred again and again, she did not know that she might not have been tempted to accept (Austen, 1988: 166).

When Emma does not want to accept the invitation while Mr. Woodhouse

and the Westons did, she is not happy with that either. Mr. Woodhouse and the

Westons have different respons toward the invitation. Mr. Woodhouse says

You will make my excuses, my dear, as civilly as possible. You will say that I am quite an invalid, and go no where, and therefore must decline their obliging invitation; beginning with my compliments, of course. But, you will do every thing right. I need not tell you what is to be done. I know what worthy people they are. My dear Emma, we must consider this. I am sure, rather than run the risk of hurting Mr. and Mrs. Cole, you would stay a little longer than you might wish (Austen, 1988: 167-168).

Because of her father’s advice, Emma starts to make up her mind and finally

she decides to accept the invitation. By attending the Cole’s dinner party, it

Emma’s character changing also shown when she invites Jane Fairfax to the

party. Formerly in the previous part of the analysis, the writer tells that Emma

dislikes Jane Fairfax, a niece of Miss Bates, because she equals to Emma in

beauty, education, and talent. Therefore, the presence of Jane Fairfax in

Highbury makes her jealous.

But then, Mr. Knightley reminds Emma that Jane Fairfax become friends

with Mrs. Elton because nobody pay attention to Jane, except Mrs. Elton. To

make the situation better, Emma decides to have a dinner party at Hartfield and

she invites Jane. The Eltons, Harriet Smith, and Mr. Knightley also invited to

the party. Although it is obvious that Emma dislikes Mrs. Elton, she is forced to

invites her. But she invites Jane sincerely. The author describes.

She was delighted with the fortitude of her little friend – for fortitude she knew it was in her to give up being a company and stay at home; and she could now invite the very person whom she really wanted to make the eight, Jane Fairfax. Since her last conversation with Mrs. Weston and Mr. Knightley, she was more conscience-stricken about Jane Fairfax than she often been. Mr. Knightley’s words dwelt with her. He had said that Jane Fairfax received attentions from Mrs. Elton which nobody else paid her (Austen, 1988: 231).

From the quotation, can be seen that Emma’s character has changed. She

becomes more modest toward lower class people such as Jane Fairfax. She also

becomes sociable and spends time with more people. Emma also tries to visit

Jane Fairfax when she was ill and wishes her to get better. She also help Jane by

goes to the Maple Grove. She feels pity on Jane because she was ill and must go

When Emma afterwards heard that Jane Fairfax had been wandering about the meadows, at some distance from Highbury, on the afternoon of the very day on which she had, under the plea of being unequal to any exercise, so peremptorily refused to go out with her in the carriage, she could have no doubt – putting everything together – that Jane was resolved to receive no kindness from her. She was sorry, very sorry. Her heart was grieved for a state which seemed but the more pitiable from this sort of irritation of spirits, inconsistency of action, and inequality of powers; and it mortified her that she was given so little credit for proper feeling or esteemed so little worthy as friend (Austen, 1988: 310).

The minor characters affect Emma’s character development also happens

when Emma was in a public sphere. There is a party at Box Hill. Mrs. Weston

and Emma wanted to go to Box Hill for a long time, so they are planning to go

there.They only want two or three more people to join them. But, at the same

time, Mrs. Elton is planning to go to Box Hill. Therefore, Mr. Weston proposes

to combine the two parties.

When the group arrives at Box Hill the whole party is a bit dull at least

Frank Churchill and Emma think so. Both of them are a bit bored and that

makes them reckless. Their action could even be called flirtation. However, this

bothers the others a lot because it was very improper to flirt so openly.

To amuse her, and be agreeable in her eyes, seemed all that he cared for – and Emma, glad to be enlivened, not sorry to be flattered, was gay and easy too, and gave him all the friendly encouragement, the admission to be gallant, which she had ever given in the first and most animating period of their acquaintance; but which now, in her own estimation, meant nothing, though in the judgement of most people looking on it must have had such an appearance as no English word but flirtation could very well describe. “Mr. Frank Churchill and Miss Woodhouse flirted together excessively.” They were laying themselves open to that very phrase (Austen, 1988: 291-292).

The quotation shows that Frank Churchill and Emma are not aware of their

flirtation because they do not want a romance between them. This is not clear

for the rest of the group, they think there is a romance going on between Frank

and Emma and this flirtation is an example of it. When they are bored again,

Frank pretends that Emma ordered him something.

I am ordered by Miss Woodhouse to say, that she waives her right of knowing exactly what you may all be thinking of, and only requires something very entertaining from each of you, in a general way. Here are seven of you, besides myself, (who, she is pleased to say, am very entertaining already,) and she only demands from each of you either one thing very clever, be it prose or verse, original or repeated – or two things moderately clever – or three things very dull indeed, and she engages to laugh heartily at them all (Austen, 1988: 293).

This plan is in itself doubtful, but when Miss Bates says that it is not hard

for her to say three things very dull indeed, Emma adds that she has to limit

herself to only three things. The author describes Miss Bates feeling.

Miss Bates, deceived by the mock ceremony of her manner, did not immediately catch her meaning; but when it burst on her, it could not anger, though a slight blush showed that it could pain her (Austen, 1988: 294).

It can be seen that this mockery is instantly recognized by Miss Bates and

she is hurt by it. She does not know why Emma makes such a comment towards

her and says “I must make myself very disagreeable, or she would not have said

such a thing to an old friend” (Austen, 1988: 294).

That shows how hurt Miss Bates is. But, she also seeks the fault in herself.

She thinks she made herself very disagreeable that is for her the only reason

why Emma could make such a harsh comment on her. Since that, people’s

As the author continue describes

They walked off, followed in a half minute by Mr. Knightley. Mr. Weston, his son, Emma, and Harriet, only remained; and the young man’s spirits now rose to a pitch almost unpleasant. Even Emma grew tired at last of flattery and merriment, and wished herself rather walking quietly about with any of the others, or sitting almost alone, and quite unattended to. And the solicitude of Mrs. Elton to have her carriage first, were gladly endured, in the prospect of the quite drive home which was to close the very questionable enjoyments of this day of pleasure. Such another scheme, composed of so many ill-assorted people, she hoped never to be betrayed into again (Austen, 1988: 296).

This points out how the people disapprove of what Emma has done. They

are very disappointed of Emma’s behaviour toward Miss Bates. When they go

back, Mr. Knightley criticizes Emma’s action for treating Miss Bates so rudely.

He also points out to that it was very wrong to Emma to act in such a mean way

to Miss Bates. It is even more wrong because of Miss Bates position.

Her situation should secure your compassion. It was badly done, indeed! You, who she had known from an infant, whom she had seen grow up from a period when her notice was an honour – to have you know, in thoughtless spirits and the pride of the moment, laugh at her, humble her – and before her niece, too – and before others, many of whom (certainly some) would be entire guided by your treatment of her (Austen, 1988: 297).

Mr. Knigtley tells Emma that if the Bates where rich and wealthy, it would

not have been so bad. But since they are poor, Emma should have compassion

for them instead of mocking them. Finally, Emma begins to realize that she has

made a great mistake. She feels how she became so rude towards Miss Bates. As

one of the highest people of Highbury society, she should treat those lower class

Never had felt so agitated, so mortified, grieved, at any circumstance in her life. She was most forcibly struck. The truth of his representation there was no denying. She felt it at her heart. How could she has been so brutal, so cruel to Miss Bates! How could she has exposed herself to such ill opinion in any one she valued! And how suffer him to leave her without saying one word of gratitude, of concurrence, of common kindness! Time did not compose her. As she reflected more, she seemed but to feel it more. She never had been so depressed. Happily it was necessary to speak. There was only Harriet, who seemed not in spirits herself, fagged, and very willing to be silent; and Emma felt the tears running down her cheeks almost all the way home, without being at any trouble to check them, extraordinary as they were (Austen, 1988: 298).

The quotation shows that Emma regrets her improper behavior toward Miss

Bates and wants to make it up again. Therefore, she decides to visit the Bates

the next morning. Emma’s action indicates that she has changed from rude

person become the person who is modest to the lower class people.

2. Changing Emma into a Mature Woman

From the beginning of the novel, the author gives explanation that Emma is

spoiled and loves to matchmaking in her neighborhood. When Emma is being

introduced to Harriet Smith, she is pleased with her manners and decides to

continue the acquaintance. She loses no time in inviting and encouraging her.

She decides to notice her, improve her, introduce her into good society and form

her opinions and manners. It seems like well efforts, but this drives her to

become a meddlesome. Mr. Knightley told Mrs. Weston, who is Emma’s

governess, about Emma’s and Harriet’s friendship. In their discussion, he

disagrees Emma’s friendship with Harriet.

‘I do not know what your opinion maybe Mrs. Weston’ said Mr. Knightley, ‘of this great intimacy between Emma and Harriet Smith, but I think it is a bad thing’ (Austen, 1988: 29).

Emma always decides what Harriet should do, therefore Harriet depends on

Emma for all of her decisions and opinions. When Harriet asks Emma about

Robert Martin’s proposal, Emma advises her to reject the proposal. According

to Emma, Robert Martin is not equal to Harriet. She says that the Martins are

coarse and inappropriate for Harriet. “But they must be coarse and unpolished

and very unfit to be the intimates of a girl who wanted only a little more

knowledge and elegance to be quite perfect” (Austen, 1988: 20). Then, she tells

Mr. Knightley about the idea between Harriet and Mr. Elton, the vicar of

Highbury. He dismisses the idea of Harriet and Mr. Elton. He says

Depend upon it, Elton will not do. Elton is a very good sort of a man and a very respectable vicar of Highbury, but not at all likely to make an imprudent match. He knows the value of a good income as well as anybody. Elton may talk sentimentally, but he will act rationally (Austen, 1988: 54).

According to Mr. Knightley, Mr. Elton will marry someone who will ensure

his place in society, he want a woman who will bring him respect and financial

security. Then he thinks that Robert Martin is a suitable husband for Harriet.

Most prudent men would be afraid of the inconvenience and disgrace they might be involved in when the mystery of her parentage came to be revealed. Let her marry Robert Martin, and she is safe, respectable, and happy forever; but if you encourage her to expect to marry greatly, and teach her to be satisfied with nothing less than a man consequence and large fortune, she may be a parlour-boarder at Mrs. Goddard’s all the rest of her life (Austen, 1988: 53).

But, Emma still continues her plan to match Harriet with Mr. Elton. She

begins to think about ways to throw Robert Martin away from Harriet’s head.

By giving riddle that seems to be a love poem to Harriet, she ensures Harriet

Emma thinks that Mr. Elton is interested in Harriet. She does not know that

actually Mr. Elton’s love poem is directed to Emma herself. Finally, Emma

realizes that Mr. Elton has no interest in Harriet. When she and Mr. Elton are in

the same carriage, he professes his love to her and insults Harriet because of her

low class.

Emma realizes that it is her fault because she tried to meddle between

Harriet’s and Mr. Elton’s love affair. She feels ashamed of what she has done

and resolves to herself not to do the same thing again.

The first error, and the worst, lay at her door. It was foolish, it was wrong, to take so active a part in bringing any two people together. It was adventuring too far, assuming to much, making a light of what ought to be serious – a trick of what ought to be simple. She was quite corcerned and ashamed, and resolved to do such thing no more (Austen, 1988: 110).

In regard to Harriet Smith, Emma gives a chance to Harriet to contact the

Martins. Emma wants to avoid Harriet of thinking and speaking about Mr.

Elton. She also gives a chance for Harriet to think of someone else excepts Mr.

Elton. Even she suggests Harriet to visit the Martins, it is only a formal visit.

After much thinking, she could determine on nothing better than Harriet’s returning the visit; but in a way that if they had understanding, should convince them that it was to be only a formal acquaintance (Austen, 1988: 148).

This shows that Emma’s maturity starts appear. She accepts the reality that

she is wrong. She also realizes that her father, her brother, and Mr. Knightley

3. Changing Emma’s Perspective of Marriage

In Highbury society, social status becomes the main consideration for

marriage. It is shown in the way each character tries to marry with other

character, in order to reach a higher status.

For example, Mr. Elton prefers to marry Emma than Harriet Smith because

it is very clear that Emma has both status and financial security to ensure his

position in society. But, Emma rejects Mr. Elton’s proposal because he does not

come from a respectable family. Emma says

But he must know that in fortune and consequence she was greatly his superior. He must know that the Woodhouses had been settled for several generations at Hartfield, the younger branch of a very ancient family , and that the Eltons were nobody (Austen, 1988: 110).

She also tells Harriet that she never wishes to be married because she has not

yet found someone superior to herself. “My being charming, Harriet, is not quite

enough to induce me to marry; I must find other people charming – one other

person at least. And I am not only, not going to be married, at present, but have

very little intention of ever marrying at all” (Austen: 1988: 69).

But, Emma’s perspective of never marrying is a little bit changed since she

met Frank Churchill. Emma meets Frank for the first time when she is visiting

the Westons. She immediately likes him because he is quite charming and

well-spoken person. She thinks that if she were to marry, Frank Churchill would be a

suitable husband for her because he might suit her in age, character and

Now, it so happened that in spite of Emma’s resolution of never marrying, there was something in the name, in the idea of Mr. Frank Churchill, which always interested her. She had frequently thought – especially since his father’s marriage with Miss Taylor – that if she were to marry, he was the very person to suit in her age, character and condition. He seemed by this connexion between the families, quite to belong to her (Austen, 1988: 95).

Emma is pleased by the beginning of her acquaintance with Frank Churchill.

Emma thinks that he is a wonderful person. It seems that she likes Frank

Churchill at the first sight. As the author describes.

The Frank Churchill so long talked of, so high in interest, was actually before her. He was presented to her and she did not think too much had been said in his praise. He was a very good looking young-man; height, air, address – all were unexceptionable; and his countenance had a great deal of spirit and liveliness of his father’s – he looked quick and sensible. She felt immediately that she should like him; and there was a well-bred ease of manner, and a readiness to talk, which convinced her that he came intending to be acquainted with her, and that acquainted they soon must be (Austen, 1988: 152).

The acquaintance between Emma and Frank Churchill becomes intimate. On

the other hand, Mr. Knightley has a little doubt about Frank. He suspects Frank

Churchill in postponing his visit to Highbury. He tells Emma that Frank

Churchill is more interested in leisure activities, whereas as the son, it is his

duty to pay attention to his father. But, Emma defends Frank Churchill at nearly

every opportunity. She automatically assumes that Frank has a good intentions

and perfectly honorable.

Emma’s feeling toward Frank Churchill becomes clear. She thinks that

Frank may be in love with her. It is shown when he speaks of his warm regard

A few awkward moments passed and he sat down again, and in a more determined manner said, “It was something to feel that all the rest of my time might be given to Hartfield. My regard for Hartfield is most warm –“ . He stopped again, rose again, and seemed quite embarrassed. - He was more in love with her than Emma had supposed (Austen, 1988: 207).

Then, Emma believes that Frank Churchill may be in love with her and

Emma convinces herself that she also may be in love with him. This is the part

when Emma starts to feel love. She begins to think about love. She has opened

herself to the idea of love.

‘I certainly must,’ said she. ‘This sensation of listlessness, weariness, stupidity, this disinclination to shit down and employ myself, this feeling of every thing’s being dull and insipid about the house! I must be in love; I should be the oddest creature in the world if I were not – for a few weeks at least’ (Austen, 1988: 208).

But, Emma considers that she is not in love with Frank Churchill. She thinks

that without Frank’s presence she is still happy, though she is very often

thinking of him. She can exist so well with or without Frank. She considers that

her relationship with Frank Churchill is only a friendship. As the author says

Their affection was always to subside into friendship. Everything tender and charming was to mark their parting but still they were to part. When she became sensible of this, it struck her that she could not be very much in love (Austen, 1988: 209).

Later on, Emma got the news from Mrs. Weston that Frank Churchill and

Jane Fairfax have been secretly engaged. “More than an attachment, indeed,”

resumed Mrs. Weston; “an engagement – a positive engagement. What will you

say, Emma, what will anybody say – when it is known that Frank Churchill and

Miss Fairfax are engaged – nay, that they have been long engaged?” (Austen,

Emma is angry and she criticizes Frank Churchill for pretending to show

affection for her when he was engaged to Jane. Emma claims that by hiding his

engagement to Jane Fairfax, he has deceive his family and his friends. Emma

realizes what Mr. Knightley said to her was right, Frank Churchill is not as

perfect as in her mind. In their discussion about Frank’s and Jane’s engagement,

Mr. Knightley tells all his feeling to Emma. He says that he always had a low

opinion of Frank Churchill, while he learns that actually he did not want to

deceive Emma.

I have never had a high opinion of Frank Churchill. I can suppose, however, that I may have underrated him. My acquaintance with him has been but trifling. And even if I had not underrated him hitherto, he may yet turn out well. With such a woman he has a chance. I have no motive for wishing him ill – and for her sake, whose happiness will be involved in his good character and conduct, I shall certainly wish him well (Austen, 1988: 339).

Emma finally forgives Frank Churchill and Jane Fairfax, and let them happy

together. At the same time, Mr. Knightley also admits that he envies with Frank

and professes his love to Emma. He professing himself as the lover of Emma

since she was thirteen.

My dearest Emma, for dearest you will always be, whatever the event of this hour’s conversation, my dearest, most beloved Emma – tell me at once. Say ‘No’ if it is to be said … I have been indifferent lover. But you understand me. Yes, you see, you understand my feelings, and will return them if you can. At present, I ask only to hear – once to hear your voice (Austen, 1988: 340-341).

Emma can say nothing, as a lady always does, there need not be despair and

inviting him to say more himself (Austen, 1988: 341). Not long after, he says it

once more. Decisively, Emma admits that she also has the same feeling as Mr.

In the other hand, Harriet who is actually being interested in Mr. Knightley,

shows her greatness of her heart by letting them married and blaming nobody.

She admits her stupidity to expect Mr. Knightley as her husband. Harriet herself

is going to be married with Robert Martin. She says to Emma

Emma, my love, you said that this circumstance would not now make you unhappy; but I am afraid it gives you more pain than you expected. His situation is an evil - but you must consider it as what satisfies your friend; and I will answer your thinking better and better of him as you know him more; his good sense and good principles would delight you. As far as the man is concerned, you could not wish your friend in better hands. His rank in society I would alter if I could, which is saying a great deal, I assure you, Emma. - You laugh at me about William Larkins, but I could quite as ill spare Robert Martin (Austen, 1988: 375).

Finally, Emma accepts Robert Martin as an appropriate husband for Harriet.

It shows that Emma’s perspective of married has been changed. Formerly Emma

thinks that the most important consideration for marriage is social status. Then

she realizes that marriage is not because of one’s social status, but love. It also

shows that she has opened herself to the idea of love.

From the analysis, can be seen that the minor characters in the novel; Mr.

Woodhouse, Mr. Knightley, Frank Churchill, and Harriet Smith become the

important factor in the development of Emma. The criticism, advice, and

suggestion from them makes Emma become aware of what she has done and she

In the other hand, Harriet who is actually being interested in Mr. Knightley, shows her greatness of her heart by letting them married and blaming nobody. She admits her stupidity to expect Mr. Knightley as her husband. Harriet herself is going to be married with Robert Martin. She says to Emma

Emma, my love, you said that this circumstance would not now make you unhappy; but I am afraid it gives you more pain than you expected. His situation is an evil - but you must consider it as what satisfies your friend; and I will answer your thinking better and better of him as you know him more; his good sense and good principles would delight you. As far as the man is concerned, you could not wish your friend in better hands. His rank in society I would alter if I could, which is saying a great deal, I assure you, Emma. - You laugh at me about William Larkins, but I could quite as ill spare Robert Martin (Austen, 1988: 375).

Finally, Emma accepts Robert Martin as an appropriate husband for Harriet. It shows that Emma’s perspective of married has been changed. Formerly Emma thinks that the most important consideration for marriage is social status. Then she realizes that marriage is not because of one’s social status, but love. It also shows that she has opened herself to the idea of love.

From the analysis, can be seen that the minor characters in the novel; Mr. Woodhouse, Mr. Knightley, Frank Churchill, and Harriet Smith become the important factor in the development of Emma. The criticism, advice, and suggestion from them makes Emma become aware of what she has done and she changes to be a better type of person.

42

CHAPTER V

CONCLUSION

This thesis has three problem formulations stated in the first chapter. After conducting the analysis of the novel Emma, the writer can make conclusion as follows. From the first problem, it can be concluded that Emma was presented as a beautiful woman. She is also clever, but still spoiled and arrogant. Her comfortable disposition as the highest class person makes her to be an arrogant toward lower class people. Another character of Emma are meddlesome, and she has less sensitivity toward her own feeling.

The second problem was the description of the minor characters. The minor characters in the novel are Mr. Woodhouse, Mr. Knightley, Frank Churchill, and Harriet Smith. Mr. Woodhouse is Emma’s father. He is an old man who is spoiled and also a nervous man. He really close to Emma. Mr. Knightley is an intimate friend of the Woodhouse family. He is a sensible man about seven or eight-and-thirty. He really cares for Emma. He tries to improve Emma’s behavior. Frank Churchill is charming and attractive type of person. He flirts with Emma when actually he already engaged with Jane Fairfax. Unfortunately, Emma trapped in her feeling toward Frank. Harriet Smith is a pretty young girl, aged 17 years old. Her parentage is unknown. She admires Emma that is why she depends on Emma for all of opinions.

The third problem was about the effect of the minor characters to the development of Emma. The minor characters has a significant role toward Emma. The minor characters give contributions toward Emma’s character changing. The development of Emma starts appear when the invitation from the Coles arrives, Mr. Woodhouse gives advice to Emma to accept the invitation, whereas Emma does not want to do that. But, she finally decides to accept the invitation because of Mr. Woodhouse’s advice. Mr. Woodhouse also reminds Emma not to make any more matches in her neighborhood.

Mr. Knightley also has a role in shaping Emma’s character. He criticized Emma’s mistake how she had influenced Harriet Smith in rejecting Robert Martin’s proposal of marriage. Because of the critics given by Mr. Knightley, Emma starts to reflect all of her attitudes toward other people, to Harriet Smith, to Jane Fairfax and especially to Miss Bates. After much thinking, Emma realizes her wrong behaviour toward Harriet Smith. She is aware that she does wrong to Harriet Smith by giving her sense of arrogance and hope that someday she is able to marry a higher class person, such as Mr. Elton. Emma finally let Harriet Smith marry Robert Martin. Emma is also aware of what she has done to Jane Fairfax and Miss Bates are wrong. She begins to give more attention and becomes kinder to Jane Fairfax. She also regrets her behaviour toward Miss Bates. She realizes that she should not insult and treat the lower class people such as Miss Bates rudely.

Frank Churchill is also an important person who shapes Emma’s character development. He is the person who gives Emma a new idea about love and marriage. Previously, Emma’s consideration for marriage is social status. Emma never thinks about love in marriage. But, because of Frank’s presence, Emma starts to think about love. Harriet Smith also has a great role in shaping Emma’s character. When Emma knows that Harriet want to marry Mr. Knightley, Emma begins to realizes her own feeling that actually she loves Mr. Knightley.

The writer concludes that the main character in the novel is a complex character because she grows from her character at the beginning of the novel. Emma is seen as a girl who is spoiled and arrogant in the beginning of the novel because of her comfortable disposition as the highest class person. As time goes by and the experiences she goes through, Emma finally changes into a mature woman. She also becomes a modest person toward lower class people. The minor characters helps Emma through their criticism, advice, and suggestion. She gets new understanding about how to treat the lower class people. She also becomes aware about her own feeling and her perspective about marriage then changes. This is the conclusion the writer finds within the novel as the main character is affected by the minor characters.

45

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