Jane Austen was born on 16 December 1775 at Steventon, near Basingstoke, the seventh child of the rector of the parish. She began to write stories wen she was a girl, but only four of her novels were published during her lifetime.1 Among them was Emma published in the year 1816. Although Jane Austen chooses women as her heroines, there are also different types of men represented. They extend from the villain to the polite gentleman. The following term paper will try to examine Jane Austen’s gentleman ideal in her novel Emma with a representative English gentleman. This is Mr. George Knightley. The virtues that Emma praises in Robert Martin’s letter are all those which can be associated with the traditional age of chivalry: There were merely no grammatical errors, but as a composition it would not have disgraced a gentleman; the language, though plain, was strong and unaffected, and the sentiments it conveyed very much to the credit of the writer. It was short, but expressed good sense, warm attachment, liberality, propriety, even delicacy of feeling.2
The name „Knightley“ reveals already parts of the meaning. It contains the word „knight“ who used to play an important role in Chaucer’s poetry. In Chaucer’s knight and Squire, for instance, is the knightly honour represented and Mr.Knightley embodies this. However, Jane Austen takes Chaucer’s knight with his characteristics as a point of departure but she modernizes this image. While honourable young men dedicated themselves to courtly love, they do not so in Jane Austen’s novels. Mr. Knightley as the representative English gentleman in the novel Emme will be looked at and analysed throughout the novel. The main emphasis will be in his development from the beginning till the end and the characteristics which make him a gentleman.
Table of Contents
Introduction
I. The development of the gentleman ideal from Chaucer to Jane Austen
II. The embodiment of the gentleman ideal in Mr. Knightley
1. Mr. Knightley and Emma
2. Mr. Knightley’s social behaviour and attitude
3. Mr. Knightley vs. Frank Churchill
III. Conclusion
Objectives and Main Themes
This academic paper examines the concept of the ideal gentleman in Jane Austen’s novel "Emma", specifically focusing on the character of Mr. George Knightley. The study explores the evolution of gentlemanly virtues from the era of Chaucer to the nineteenth century, analyzing how Knightley serves as the embodiment of these qualities through his social interactions, moral mentorship of the protagonist, and his distinct contrast with other male characters.
- The historical development of the "gentleman" ideal from the Middle Ages to the nineteenth century.
- Mr. Knightley’s role as a mentor and moral authority for Emma Woodhouse.
- Analysis of social behavior, courtesy, and the importance of patronage in the Regency era.
- The contrast between Mr. Knightley’s integrity and the perceived "villainy" of Frank Churchill.
- Austen’s modernization of the gentleman ideal to include a rational attitude toward women.
Excerpt from the Book
1. Mr. Knightley and Emma
Emma’s hero, Mr. Knightley, acts from beginning to end as her mentor, who is constantly pointing out her faults, encouraging her virtues and directing her education toward maturity. He is nearly always right in his judgements.
Very early in the book, Jane Austen informs the reader that „Mr Knightley, in fact, was one of the few people who could see faults in Emma Woodhouse, and the only one who ever told her of them (p. 11). When she claims that she has arranged the marriage between Mr. Weston and Miss Taylor, Mr. Knightley points out the facts: „(...) why do you talk of success? where is your merit? - what are you proud of? - you made a lucky guess; and that is all that can be said“ (p. 13). When Emma goes on mentioning that she will try to find a wife for Mr. Elton, Mr. Knightley warns her again: „(...) leave him to chose his own wife. Depend upon it, a man of six or seven-and-twenty can take care of himself“ (p.14). Mr. Knightley warns her again, but sensibly when Emma has advised Harriet to refuse Robert Martin’s proposal of marriage: „Let her marry Robert Martin, and she is safe, respectable, and happy for ever(...)“ (p.56). In this conversation he proves that he knows Emma well by warning her not to involve Mr. Elton: „(...) and as a friend I shall just hint to you that if Elton is the man, I think it will be all labour in vain“ (p.57).
But Mr. Knightley’s strongest „mentoring“ of Emma occurs at the Box Hill picnic where Emma has humiliated Miss Bates in a cruel and snobbish attack in front of every body’s eyes. Mr. Knightley cannot avoid rebuking her more seriously than before:
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: Provides a biographical context of Jane Austen and outlines the paper's goal of analyzing Mr. Knightley as the representative English gentleman in the novel Emma.
I. The development of the gentleman ideal from Chaucer to Jane Austen: Surveys the historical evolution of the gentleman concept from the medieval knight to the courtier ideal, and finally the nineteenth-century standards.
II. The embodiment of the gentleman ideal in Mr. Knightley: Explores the specific manifestations of Knightley's character as a moral mentor, his social behaviors, and his pivotal contrast with Frank Churchill.
1. Mr. Knightley and Emma: Examines Knightley's role as a corrective educator and his unique ability to perceive Emma’s faults while guiding her toward maturity.
2. Mr. Knightley’s social behaviour and attitude: Discusses Knightley’s adherence to social responsibility, kindness, and his integrity in interacting with different social ranks.
3. Mr. Knightley vs. Frank Churchill: Contrasts Knightley's principled behavior with the duplicity and perceived villainy of Frank Churchill.
III. Conclusion: Summarizes Knightley’s development throughout the novel, confirming his status as an exemplary gentleman who upholds duty, morality, and respect for others.
Keywords
Jane Austen, Emma, Mr. George Knightley, Gentleman Ideal, Regency England, Morality, Social Hierarchy, Mentor, Chivalry, Frank Churchill, Patronage, Nineteenth-century literature.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental focus of this paper?
The paper explores the concept of the "gentleman ideal" in Jane Austen's novel *Emma*, using the character of Mr. George Knightley as a case study for this archetype.
What are the central thematic fields covered?
The work covers the evolution of the gentleman figure, social class dynamics in nineteenth-century England, the role of moral mentorship, and the contrast between virtue and superficial charm.
What is the primary research goal?
The goal is to analyze how Mr. Knightley embodies the characteristics of a nineteenth-century English gentleman and how his relationship with Emma reflects Austen's moral and social vision.
Which scientific methods are employed?
The paper utilizes textual analysis and literary comparison, drawing on both primary textual evidence from *Emma* and secondary scholarly critiques to validate its arguments.
What topics are discussed in the main section?
The main section investigates Knightley's influence on Emma's development, his specific social behaviors (such as his kindness and patronage), and his adversarial relationship with Frank Churchill.
What are the primary keywords associated with this work?
Key terms include Jane Austen, Mr. Knightley, gentleman ideal, morality, social hierarchy, patronage, and nineteenth-century literature.
How does Knightley’s mentorship influence Emma’s character?
Knightley acts as a moral compass, constantly challenging Emma's arrogance and social prejudices, which ultimately guides her toward personal maturity and self-awareness.
Why does the author contrast Mr. Knightley with Frank Churchill?
The contrast serves to highlight the difference between authentic integrity (Knightley) and manipulative, superficial conduct (Churchill), reinforcing Austen's message about true gentlemanly behavior.
- Quote paper
- Emel Deyneli (Author), 2002, Mr. Knightley and Jane Austen’s concept of the gentleman ideal, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/10867
