Introduction of the Author Jane Austen (16 December 1775 – 18 July 1817) was an English novelist whose
works of romantic fiction set among the gentry have earned her a place as one of the most widely read and most beloved writers in English literature.Amongst scholars and critics, Austen\'s realism and biting social commentary have cemented her historical importance as a writer.
Austen lived her entire life as part of a close-knit family located on the lower fringes of the English gentry.She was educated primarily by her father and older brothers as well as through her own reading.From 1811 until 1816, with the release of Sense and Sensibility (1811), Pride and Prejudice (1813), Mansfield Park (1814) and Emma (1816), she achieved succe as a published writer.She wrote two additional novels, Northanger Abbey and Persuasion, both published posthumously in 1818, and began a third, which was eventually titled Sanditon, but died before completing it.During Austen\'s lifetime her works brought her little personal fame and only a few positive reviews.Through the mid-nineteenth century, her novels were admired mainly by members of the literary elite.By the 1940s, Austen had become widely accepted in academia as a \"great English writer\".
Summary Emma Woodhouse is a twenty-year-old girl living in Highbury who considers herself gifted in conjuring love matches.She determines to find an eligible match for her new friend, Harriet Smith whose parentage is unknown.Emma first sets Harriet’s sights on Mr.Elton, the village vicar.Meanwhile, she persuades Harriet to reject the proposal of Robert Martin, a well-to-do farmer for whom Harriet clearly has feelings.However, Elton makes it clear that his affection is for her, not Harriet.Mr.Knightley, Emma’s brother-in-law and intimate friend, watches Emma’s matchmaking and believes Mr.Martin is fit for Harriet to marry.Then Mr.Weston’s son, Frank Churchill, adopted by his uncle and aunt in London, arrives in Highbury.Emma soon notices his charms are directed towards her.There is another beautiful girl named Jane Fairfax.Emma dislikes her because of her reserve.Everyone aumes that Frank and Emma are forming an attachment, though Emma actually imagines him as a match for Harriet.When Harriet tells Emma she has fallen in love with a man above her social station, Emma believes she means Frank.Nonethele, news comes that Frank and Jane have been secretly engaged.Emma worries about Harriet, but she soon discovers it is Knightley, not Frank, who is the object of Harriet’s affection.Emma feels upset by Harriet’s revelation, and her distre forces her to realize she is in love with Knightley.Delightfully, Knightley declares his love for Emma.Harriet is soon comforted by a second proposal from Martin, which she accepts.The novel ends with the marriage of Harriet and Mr.Martin and that of Emma and Mr.Knightley.
