Emma by Jane Austen | Summary & Analysis

Jane Austen’s Emma explained in just a few minutes! Course Hero Literature Instructor Russell Jaffe provides an in-depth analysis of the plot, characters, symbols, and themes of Jane Austen’s novel Emma. Download the free study guide and infographic for Emma here: Emma Woodhouse, the heroine of Jane Austen’s lightly biting satire of the 19th century British middle class, is a charming but meddlesome young woman intent on playing matchmaker to her friends and acquaintances. Though her intentions are good, she fails to perceive the consequences of her actions. Thus, she unnecessarily complicates the lives of her intimates and, amusingly, her own. As Austen’s protagonist attempts to pair a lower class friend with a number of unsuitable upper class partners, she temporarily alienates her own obvious match and falls for someone else. Attempting to navigate the expectations of their parents and peers, the c