Topic > The Power and Danger of Perspective in Emma

In Emma, ​​author Jane Austen uses third-person narration and free indirect speech to show the same objects from different perspectives. Detached narration provides an ironic perspective that criticizes characters' misinterpretations of situations. The use of free indirect speech in the novel shows how many different characters read the same people or situations in completely different ways. Through these contrasting perspectives of the same objects, the novel's use of perspective reveals more about the subjects than the object itself. The subjects' points of view reveal the characters' personal desires and prejudices. The third-person objective narrative reveals the misleading subjective realities of the characters and criticizes how one-sidedness and conceit blind objective judgment. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay. Austen highlights Emma's perspective by using free indirect discourse. Perspective is the practice of showing the same object from different points of view. The third-person narrative flows freely in and out of the minds of several characters who have contrasting perspectives. For example, when Mr. Knightley and Emma discuss Mr. Martin's marriage proposal to Harriet Smith, the two argue about whether or not Harriet is a suitable match for Mr. Martin. In their discussion, their opinions about Harriet are revealed. While Emma believes that Mr. Martin is “lower than [Harriet's] rank in society,” (98) Mr. Knightley claims that Mr. Martin is “as much superior to her in sense as in situation” (97). Through the use of free indirect discourse, the narrator provides information about Mr. Knightley and Emma's personal stakes in Mr. Martin's proposal and Harriet's rejection. As he leaves the conversation, Mr Knightley is “much displeased” and feels “the disappointment of the young man, and [is] mortified at having been the means of promoting him with the sanction he had given; and the part which he was convinced that Emma had taken in the affair was irritating him exceedingly” (101). The narrator provides information about how Mr. Knightley feels as he leaves the conversation with Emma and explains why Mr. Knightley has such a furious reaction to the news that Harriet has rejected Mr. Martin. Throughout the conversation, Mr. Knightley never explicitly states that he is so angry because he is embarrassed for having supported the union, so the lead into his mind due to free indirect discourse provides new insight into his character and further insight into his views on Harriet . . The narrator also enters the mind of Emma during the discussion, who “tries to seem cheerfully indifferent, but felt really uncomfortable…she [has] a sort of habitual respect for [Mr. Knightley] in general,” so it is unpleasant to see him so angry in front of her on this matter (100). The narrator states, however, that Emma "[does] not regret what she has done: she continues [thinks] of herself a better judge than he could be on such a point of female right and refinement" (100). Emma believes she knows Harriet better than Mr. Knightley, and therefore her judgment of the situation is more valid and credible. Her confidence in her decision to persuade Harriet not to marry Mr. Martin does not waver. The use of free indirect discourse allows both Mr. Knightley's and Emma's points of view regarding Mr. Martin's proposal to be considered. The fluid movement in and out of Mr. Knightley and Emma's private thoughts gives the audience a balanced perspective of Harriet. Even if they are discussing and thinkingto the same object - Harriet Smith - their differing opinions are revealed through their subjective perspectives on her. Although one would expect that having multiple perspectives of the same object would lead to a stronger objective understanding of the object, these perspectives end up revealing much more about the subject's desires and prejudices than about the object itself. For example, when Emma first meets Harriet, she notes that Harriet is "a very pretty girl, and her beauty was of a kind which Emma particularly admired" (69). As a result, Emma quickly becomes “quite determined to continue the acquaintance,” (69), which is not surprising considering that Emma still feels “Mrs. Weston's absence” (68). Emma decides at this moment that “he would notice her; he would have improved it; he would detach her from her bad acquaintance and introduce her into good society; it would form his opinions and his ways” (69). While there is some insight into Harriet’s character, the description of Emma’s perception of Harriet reveals more about Emma’s desires to shape and transform Harriet into a suitable acquaintance for herself, “certainly a very gentle undertaking; highly suited to his life situation, his free time and his powers” ​​(69). Emma uses the opportunity to shape Harriet to exercise her power and to have something to keep her from being bored. Her desire to exercise this power reiterates how the narrator warns early in the novel that "the real evils of Emma's situation were the power to do too much her own way, and a disposition to think a little too highly of herself." . (55). Emma's perspective of Harriet provides much more information about Emma's personality and desires than what Harriet wants and who she is. Likewise, Mr. Knightley's dissenting opinion on Frank Churchill reveals more about Mr. Knightley's desires and prejudices than about Frank Churchill's character. While everyone else in town seems to like Frank Churchill, especially Emma, ​​Mr. Knightley believes that Frank is "just the plain, silly fellow she took him for" (203). This seemingly unjustified opinion of Frank makes much more sense when Mr. Knightley reveals his personal feelings for Emma, ​​as it appeared before Frank and Emma met or even married. Mr. Knightley's perspective on Frank Churchill is therefore more indicative of his personal desires than of Frank's character. Although subjective perspectives are more indicative of the subjects' desires and prejudices than those of the object, there are instances in the novel where Frank Churchill's perspectives are more indicative of the subjects' desires and prejudices than those of the object. the subjects completely contradict objective reality. The use of free indirect discourse reveals the flaws in allowing personal biases to block objective judgment well before the characters realize it. For example, when Mr. Elton gives Emma the farce, because she so desperately wants to play matchmaker and set up Mr. Elton and Harriet, she completely misunderstands the farce as meaning it for Harriet, when it is so clearly intended for her. While reading the farce, Emma points out that "this says very plainly" that Mr. Elton desires courtship with Harriet (106). Emma exclaims after the descriptions in the farce that the writing is "Harriet exactly" and states that it must be about "Harriet's ready wit!" (106). At the end of the farce, Emma assures Harrier that she “can have no doubt whatsoever about Mr. Elton's intentions. [Harriet] is his object – and [she] will soon receive the fullest proof of it” (107). Emma insists she has no doubt that Mr. Elton writes about Harriet, but in.