Lynette Cheong Cheong 1 ID: 1483673 ENGLISH 219, Tuesday, 12pm Tutor: Kirby-Jane Hallum

Among the characters in Jane Austens Emma, Jane Fairfax is the most unique as she is portrayed as possessing the most desirable characteristics for a lady of her time yet has also the least desirable prospects and standing in society. Little is known precisely about her character in the beginning as Emmas judgment of her is derived from and influenced by Frank Churchill whose surface attitude towards Jane Fairfax is unreliable as a truthful representation as he behaves as such due to ulterior motives. The significance of Janes character is that she is the foil to Emmas character, a darker double of the protagonist even. Furthermore she is employed by Austen as a commentary on the status of women in the society of that age. Despite the meagre details and inaccurate image that readers perceive regarding Jane Fairfax until the later parts of the novel, she remains an influential figure as she is a catalyst to major turns involving the protagonist and other major characters as well. Emma Woodhouse is described from the beginning as being handsome, clever, and rich, with a comfortable home and happy disposition while possessing the best blessings of existence.1 In contrast to her is Jane Fairfax who despite being sweet, amiable... (and) very accomplished and superior...and exactly Emmas age,2 she is an orphan and possessed limited means as she had been growing up with no advantages of connection or improvement, and even with the inherited fortune from her father, independence was still impossible as only her education is funded by the Campbells, nothing more after that.3 This comparison of Emma and Jane highlights the truth of womens dependence on either marriage or good birth as their only insurance out of certain poverty especially since Emma states that a single woman of good fortune is always respectable whereas one with a narrow income is considered a ridiculous, disagreeable old maid further adding to the social disgrace and implications of
1 2

Jane Austen, Emma (Hertfordshire: Wordsworth Classics, 1994), p. 1. Austen, Emma, p. 74. 3 Austen, Emma, p. 114-115.

Lynette Cheong Cheong 2 ID: 1483673 ENGLISH 219, Tuesday, 12pm Tutor: Kirby-Jane Hallum

being a poor and unmarried woman. 4 From this excerpt, it is evident that women are unable to independently gain success and stability in life as they must either depend on marriage prospects or having already possessed good fortune. Jane Fairfax is significant in this context as she is the most prominent example of this poignant truth. For all her traits that mark her as an accomplished lady, she still sees her fate as a woman with no marriage prospects who has to earn her own bread as a retirement from all the pleasures of life, of rational intercourse, equal society, peace and hope, to penance and mortification for ever5 which implies the lifelong toiling she will endure as an independent unmarried woman. In this sense, she acts as the darker double to Emma as well since both are equally accomplished as ladies in terms of culture and education however the life prospects of either have a dramatic impact on the portrayal of both characters. Emma is carefree, with very little to stress or vex her6 and takes it upon herself to indulge in pursuits for her amusement and leisure such as playing matchmaker to Harriet while Jane is reserved and obliged to keep secrets as she lacks the social position to be open about her engagement to Frank Churchill. Furthermore, Janes beauty and accomplishments invites envy from Emma, thus contributing to the skewed perception readers have of Jane in the earlier parts of the novel. From the beginning Emma has already formed an unfavourable impression of Jane before they even met in person, being sick of the very name of Jane Fairfax and that she tires (Emma) to death.7 Emma realizes that there is no clear reason why she disliked Jane Fairfax as it was a difficult question to answer however the reader is able to discern envy as the cause of her dislike from her immediately following thought: Mr Knightley had once told her it was because she saw in her the really accomplished young woman which she wanted to be thought
4 5

Austen, Emma, p. 61. Austen, Emma, p. 116. 6 Austen, Emma, p. 1. 7 Austen, Emma, p. 62.

Lynette Cheong Cheong 3 ID: 1483673 ENGLISH 219, Tuesday, 12pm Tutor: Kirby-Jane Hallum

herself.8 Therefore is it no surprise that Emma and Frank Churchills friendship is based on their habitual criticism of others surrounding them, Jane Fairfax in particular. While Franks criticism masks his true feelings, Emmas latent jealousy of Jane is brought out in her comments about Jane as Frank fuels them by criticizing along with Emma. Emma unfairly judges Janes reserved nature as tiresome as she disliked that Jane would not disclose more information about herself9 without realizing Jane has good reason to be confidential about her life. On the other hand, Frank perfectly agrees with Emmas comments on Janes reserved nature as he thought it an unattractive, most repulsive quality and that one cannot love a reserved person,10 perfectly contradicting himself as he is engaged to her secretly. Emma and Franks mutual interest in criticizing others around them is misperceived by Emma as thinking much alike and their good acquaintance was formed that afternoon due to a session of an exchanging of cruel comments concerning Jane.11 It is thus evident that Emma and Franks toxic friendship was formed due to Emmas envy of Jane and Franks motive to shift attention away from his secret engagement with Jane, placing Janes significance as key to one of the central relationships in the novel. Jane Fairfax plays a significant role in Emmas feelings towards Mr Knightley as Mrs Weston suggests Jane as a marriage prospect for Mr Knightley to which Emma unreasonably responds that Mr Knightley must not marry, least of all to Jane whom Emma vehemently disliked the thought of her being the mistress of the Abbey.12 Emma continues, Mr Knightley does not want to marry and is horrified at the imprudence of such a match between Jane and him however readers would know better as Emma is aware of Janes accomplishment as a lady
8 9

Austen, Emma, p. 117. Austen, Emma, p. 120-121. 10 Austen, Emma, p. 144-145. 11 Austen, Emma, p. 145. 12 Austen, Emma, p. 160.

Lynette Cheong Cheong 4 ID: 1483673 ENGLISH 219, Tuesday, 12pm Tutor: Kirby-Jane Hallum

and a match between Mr Knightley and Jane is not as mad if her judgment was not clouded by her own partiality towards Mr Knightley.13 This scene is the precursor to the eventual revelation of Emmas love for Mr Knightley as she then anxiously confronts him about his feelings towards Jane Fairfax. Emma is relieved to discover that Mr Knightleys emotions does not extend beyond a platonic admiration, even feeling rather triumphed that he had not felt for Jane as Mrs Weston had supposed.14 Although Jane does not divulge much of her own thoughts in the novel, she remains an integral part of the plot as Emmas jealousy of Mr Knightleys praise towards Jane is the beginning of her progressive realization of her own true feelings towards him. In this sense, Janes significance is that her role drives the plot forward and the dramatic turning points for the other characters are inadvertently set in momentum because of her. In addition to Janes significance are certain aspects of her character revealed concerning her relationship with Frank Churchill. Jane Fairfax is more often than not portrayed as the ideal lady throughout the novel however one may notice subtle flaws to her seemingly flawless exterior. As perfect as Jane may appear, her fault is that she has not the open temper which a man would wish for in a wife,15 and this is a reference to her tendency to keep all her emotions to herself. An example of her behaviour was a word puzzle to which the solution was made known by Frank in order to upset and embarrass Jane; she is thus made visibly displeased but averts her face from her offender and does not confront nor reveal to anyone regarding her hurt feelings. 16 Janes submissive attitude towards Franks insensitivity is a grim reminder of the obligation women endure towards their betrothed in order to secure a financially secure future and avoiding the post of governess that she perceived as being no better than slavery.
13 14

Austen, Emma, p. 160-161. Austen, Emma, p. 206-207. 15 Austen, Emma, p. 206. 16 Austen, Emma, p. 249-250.

Lynette Cheong Cheong 5 ID: 1483673 ENGLISH 219, Tuesday, 12pm Tutor: Kirby-Jane Hallum

Frank Churchill proves himself as a most unfavourable husband as he is not only manipulative in his social interactions concerning Emma and Jane but has been touted as vain, extravagant and restless of temper and summed up as possessing indifference as to how his conduct might appear in general.17 The most dreadful display of the extent of Franks cruelty is his conspicuous flirting with Emma at the Box Hill as he showered her with every distinguishing attention... To amuse her, and be agreeable in her eyes, seemed all that he cared for,18 as if to punish Jane for the fight that resulted in their breakup. The fact that Jane endures emotional torment at the hands of Frank Churchill is reflective of the sad reality that even for one as intelligent and accomplished as Jane, she remains subject to the suppressive gender and class conventions of her time. Even Mr Knightley is aware of Franks unpleasant nature. He makes his low regard of Frank known to Emma: He is a disgrace to the name of man and is aghast that he is to be rewarded with that sweet young woman and finally sympathizing with Jane, lamenting that she will be a miserable creature.19 Janes good nature is held in high honour as Mr Knightley comments that she may be the antidote to Franks unpleasant behaviour as he may yet turn out well...with such a woman he has a chance,20 implying that Jane is exceedingly virtuous enough to influence a man so fixed in his selfish ways to change for the better. Therefore, much about Janes significance may be extracted from an observation of Frank and the relationship she shares with him as not only does her extensive patience with him reflect her great virtue but her disposition as a vulnerable victim of his antics is utilized by Austen as a commentary on the terrible consequences of a woman with little social status. Interestingly, Janes virtue may be her shortcoming as well as her partiality towards Frank must have overpowered her judgment as observed by Emma regarding her poor decision in
17 18

Austen, Emma, p. 146. Austen, Emma, p. 264. 19 Austen, Emma, p. 307. 20 Austen, Emma, p. 308.

Lynette Cheong Cheong 6 ID: 1483673 ENGLISH 219, Tuesday, 12pm Tutor: Kirby-Jane Hallum

forming an attachment to Churchill.21 At the same time, although Frank genuinely loves Jane that he eventually marries her in the end, their relationship is one of the few imperfect matches unfolding through the plot, therefore reminding readers, and Emma herself, that love is neither perfect nor predictable, much like her unexpected love towards Mr Knightley. As little as is revealed of Jane in her own words, her presence in Emma is vital as she functions as a commentary on class and gender restrictions as well as a catalyst to important dramatic turning points for both the plot and the other characters. Jane may not necessarily be as perfect as she has been perceived by many to be but she has perfectly executed her role as a crucial supporting character.

Bibliography Austen, Jane. Emma. Hertfordshire: Wordsworth Classics, 1994.

21

Austen, Emma, p. 302.