Genteel People and Honest Hearts in Jane Austens Emma...

Emma: Genteel People and Honest Hearts In Emma, Jane Austen gives us ‘only the surface of the lives of genteel people’? Though not necessarily a commonly used term today, the meaning of ‘genteel people’ is easily assumed. Good birth and breeding are not necessarily the only ‘qualities’ of genteel people: simple generosity, courtesy and elegance can also apply, as well as marriage into the class. The majority of the characters in Emma to some extent expand this definition to provide exceptions to the rule or abuses of the title. In this way the characters provide an interesting answer to the question of whether or not Austen actually deals with genteel people. Mrs and Miss Bates are genteel people and of†¦show more content†¦If she had been able to procure the necessary husband, there is no doubt that her gentility would have become permanent. As it was, she married for love and the ‘intimacy between her and Emma must sink,’ that is, she has lost her albeit precarious hold on gentility. Jane Fairfax is, at her introduction to the reader, in ready danger of slipping from the class that she deserves through both breeding and character. Jane’s orphaned status and increasing years mean that if she does not find a suitable husband in the near future, a governor’s position will soon be beckoning. Fortunately for her, the engagement to Frank Churchill has secured Jane’s position, as he has genteel breeding and was brought up in the Churchill household – a very prestigious claim. Jane’s position is almost the reverse of Mrs Weston nà ©e Taylor. The life of a governess was seemingly inescapable, save for the connection to Mr. Weston. Mr. Woodhouse’s cries for ‘poor Miss Taylor’ illustrate his social blindness when he cannot recognise the constant desire to further oneself. The notion of ‘manners maketh man’ can also be used to judge the gentility of the persons involved. That of Mr Knightley is proven at the ball when, despite his reservations about Harriet and dancing, he chooses to ‘rescue’ her from the humiliation of Mr Elton’s snub illustrating his good manners and gentleman’s heart. The appalling manners of