Close Reading of Emma

In chapter ten of Emma, we encounter Emma speaking to Harriet expresses that she need not marry because it offers her nothing that she does not already possess: fortune, employment or consequence. More exactly, she says the following:“Never mind, Harriet, I shall not be a poor old maid; and it is poverty only which makes celibacy contemptible to a generous public! A single woman, with a very narrow income, must be a ridiculous, disagreeable old maid! The proper sport of boys and girls, but a single woman, of good fortune, is always respectable, and may be as sensible and pleasant as any body else.” This passage makes it clear that the despising on all old maids were due to their poor power, position and economic situation. Emma highlights the fact that old maids with a huge income are more respectable and agreeable to society, but an old maid, who does not possess any wealth or good qualities, will most likely be dismissed by everyone. In this quote, Emma used the word “poor” to describe a single woman without enough financial support. Moreover, Words like “ridiculous” and “disagreeable” reveals that people in the class like Emma, scoff at these penniless single women, and will never become a person like them. In other words, Emma disdain to compare herself to