Harriet Smith Character Analysis

The prompt of this analysis is whether or not Emma Woodhouse's friendship with Harriet Smith will be beneficial or inexpedient. It is necessary to define a friendship before continuing, so I will point to a sign encountered while traveling out of state: “The true friend is not the one who bails you out of jail, but the one who is enjoying the cell with you.” In this amusing statement, there is a kernel of truth. A true friend will be trustworthy, dependable, and capable of being non-judgmental and empathetic. That being defined, let these definitions of friendship be compared to Emma and Harriet's friendship. Emma schemes for her friend to marry a man far above her social rank ( P. 32 ) for her own gratification. Using her already strong

She believes Harriet of a sensible nature because Harriet adores her, and once Harriet is associated with her, Emma believes she has raised her social status. She “cannot admit him ( Robert Martin ) to be Harriet's equal, even the two are socially and emotionally perfect for each other. ( P.44 ) This is because Emma, seeing Harriet as an elevated companion, due to Harriet's association with her, deems her too good for a dusty, uncultured farmer. At the end of the book, Emma once again reveals her prejudices concerning Harriet and Robert Martin. Emma admits Harriet to be the “luckiest creature in the world, to have created so steady and persevering affection in such a man”. ( P.82 ) Now view the opinion Emma has at the start of the book: “She would notice her; she would improve her; she would detach her from her bad acquaintance, and introduce her into good society; she would form her opinions and manners.” ( P.18 ) Emma, believing herself to have influenced Harriet's manners, subtly credits herself with Harriet being happy. Consider the fisherman who teaches his son how to fish; then, when his son miraculously catches an eight pound bass on his own, prides himself for being the reason behind the catch. Emma believes herself to be the fisherman, yet the reality is that Emma influenced nothing but bad choices and decisions in Harriet. The latter is fortunate that fate had other plans than Miss.