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 success 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 assumes 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. Nonetheless, 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 distress 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.

第二篇：Emma读后感

Emma was a novel written by Jane Austen,who was a famous novelist. She lived with her parents and remained unmarried for her entire life. She was specialized(专攻）in satirizing(讽刺）contemporary social prejudice of women.

This book told us a story about a girl named Emma. She was kind, clever, and lovely. As she was born in high class and her family was well off, these elements made her a little presumptuous（专横）and proud. In the story, after matching her tutor and a man by accident, She considered herself very talent in matchmaking and began matchmaking for her best friend Harriet based on her own wishful thinking. She suggested Harriet turning down the proposal（求婚） from Mr,Martin, a poor farmer and at the same time ,tried to bring Harriet and Mr.Elton, a clergy（牧师)，together. But Mr.Elton refused Harriet by showing his love towards Emma. However, George Knightly, Emma’s friend, criticized（批评） Emma that she should not interfere（干预）other’s marriage based on vanity（虚荣) and prejudice, They have a fight then. Later, Harriet told Emma she fell in love with Mr,Knightly, which confused Emma by making her so struggling. Finally, Emma woke up in jealous（妒忌）that she loved Mr.Knightly all the time. They got married in the end. And Harriet got married with Mr.Martin.

Emma is so different from women at that time. When she asked Harriet to refuse Mr.Martin, she provided people at that time an idea that it is not

only a man could choose life, but a woman could choose her happiness, too.

This story also tell us another truth. After making a lot of mistakes, Emma abandoned imagination, and become more and more mature.And we should not be arrogant（傲慢）.If we make a mistake, we should correct it on time.