Maddy Kirkwood
June 23rd, 2022
4th Reading Reflection – Emma
Novel and Spirituality
The cosmic symbolism of marriage is one of the four elements of the tradition of the novel that is heavily observed in the novel Emma. The symbolism of marriage in this story can be seen as a focus on understanding each character’s life, and how they are connected to one another. Certain characters in the story, such as Mr. Woodhouse, believe that Emma holds some mystical power in her words and can make things true just by saying them, “Ah! my dear, I wish you would not make matches and foretell things, for whatever you say always comes to pass. Pray do not make any more matches…I promise to make none for myself, papa; but I must, indeed, for other people. It is the greatest amusement in the world!” (p.7).
I believe that other characters in the story, such as Mrs. Weston, Miss Bates, and Harriet, believe that Emma is a person of high virtue and that she holds an abnormal power in matchmaking as well, which is an example of transfigurative virtue in this novel. Emma’s character could be likened to a prophet or oracle in their eyes. This is an example of how Emma can be read using an allegorical lens. Emma’s seemingly prophetic qualities could be interpreted as an indication to past prophets and clairvoyants, who are often rare, and mystical, and help people find the paths they should be on. However, I believe that Emma’s naivety and lack of understanding of what falling in love is like is what leads her astray when it comes to her misjudgment in her future matchmaking endeavors.
The cosmic symbolism of marriage is also a symbol of relationships of individuals to each other and to some greater context in life beyond ourselves and our families, and ultimately to God. Mr. Woodhouse believes that Emma’s matchmaking is a terrible thing that has broken up his own family, due to Emma’s matchmaking of Isabella and her husband, “…But, my dear, pray do not make any more matches; they are silly things, and break up one’s family circle grievously.” (p.8). Mr. Woodhouse believes that matrimony is disagreeable and is the,“…origin of change,” (p.3), which leads Emma to reassure her father that she’ll never marry or leave him, ergo she will never change. I believe this is also an example of relational identity in this novel; Emma is so closely tied to her father that she knows that her duty is to live with him and take care of him, rather than get married herself. If one were to read Emma through a moral lens, Emma’s faithfulness to her father would be a great example.