Emma by Jane Austen _ Characters

British author Jane Austen’s Emma was published in 1815. Austen closely observed the morals and manners of the landed gentry and portrayed women’s dilemma of dependence on men for status and livelihood. Her trademark wit and keen eye for the absurdities of class conventions are on full display in Emma. She predicted her character Emma would be "a heroine whom no one but myself will much like."