Harriet Smith's Destiny in 'Emma': Social Mobility and Personal Growth

In Jane Austen's classic novel 'Emma,' the character of Harriet Smith is portrayed as a young woman of uncertain social standing and limited intellectual abilities. At the beginning of the novel, her destiny is ambiguous, influenced by her lack of education and social connections.

Uncertain Social Position

Harriet is the illegitimate daughter of an unknown father, which places her in a precarious position within the social hierarchy of the time. Like many young women of her social class, Harriet had limited options for upward mobility: she could potentially marry well, settle for a lower-status marriage, or become a governess. However, the option of being a governess often carried challenges and social stigma.

Emma's Influence and Challenges

Austen suggests that Harriet's best chance for a favorable future lies in her relationship with Emma Woodhouse, who seeks to elevate her social status by attempting to match her with Mr. Elton, a local vicar. However, Harriet's lack of self-awareness and Emma's misguided attempts complicate Harriet's path. Despite these challenges, Harriet's destiny by the end of the novel takes a more positive turn when she marries a man of good character and social standing.

This outcome demonstrates that despite her initial limited prospects, Harriet's association with Emma and her own resilience eventually lead to a fulfilling life. Harriet's journey reflects the challenges faced by women of her social class and the potential for personal growth and change through relationships and circumstances.

Harriet's Social Plan

Furthermore, our discussion highlights additional aspects of Harriet's life and social plan. While Harriet is often characterized as "not clever but not actually stupid," her limited education compared to her social aspirations indicates a focus on marrying into a social class of similar standing. It is implied that Mrs. Goddard, who has been paying for Harriet's upbringing, will provide her with an appropriate dowry, suggesting that 'the young man was treated liberally' as a sign of financial support.

The plan for Harriet was likely for her to gain social polish through her association with Mrs. Goddard and her introduced 'carefully-vetted' friends, such as the Martin daughters. These introductions would help her navigate social circles and prepare for marriage to a man of similar social status.

Alternative Path

Interestingly, there is also a tangential question about what might have happened to Harriet if she had not been so beautiful. In that scenario, more attention might have been paid to her education to prepare her for a role as an assistant at an establishment like Mrs. Goddard's. This alternative suggests that physical beauty often overshadowed intellectual capabilities in the social dynamics of the era.

Harriet's story, therefore, provides a nuanced look at the social and personal challenges faced by young women of her time and the roles that both individual agency and societal expectations played in shaping her destiny.