Emma's Gold Medal in Meddling

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Brianna 16 October 2013 Emma’s Gold Medal in Meddling Art and literature played an important role in the 1800’s. This time period was home to the Romantic Movement. This movement’s central theme was that the human race can be perfected. Jane Austen played an important role in this era with her works such as Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility and Emma. In her novel Emma, Austen creates a conflict between main characters, Emma Woodhouse and Mr. John Knightley. Emma involves herself in business she has no reason to be in and is told numerous times by Mr. Knightley to stay out of it. She finally learns the importance of not meddling and becomes aware of her true feelings for Mr. Knightley. In the novel, Austen presents a situation in which Emma learns what it means to be respectful of others’ feelings and how to keep her opinions and ideas to herself. In the book Emma, Emma Woodhouse is known for getting herself involved in other people’s business. She comes from a long line of wealth and power which allows her to think she can do whatever she wants. Emma’s new friend Harriet has fallen for a farmer named Robert Martin. However, Emma sees him as below her social class as well as Harriet’s, so she attempts to set Harriet up with Mr. Elton, a more high class gentleman. When Harriet receives a letter from Mr. Martin proposing marriage, Emma lets her make a decision and then tells her that refusing the proposal was the right choice. Austen writes, Perfectly, perfectly right, my dearest Harriet; you are doing just what you ought. While you were at all in suspense, I kept my feelings to myself, but now that you are so completely decided, I have no hesitation in approving. Dear Harriet, I give myself joy of this. It would have grieved me to lose your acquaintance, which must have been the consequence of your marrying Mr. Martin. While you were in the smallest
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