Great works: Jane Austen’s Emma

What is the course about?

The course considers Jane Austen’s novel ‘Emma’ (1815). We’ll read closely to examine Austen’s characters, themes and narrative techniques. We’ll explore the novel’s historical and social contexts, and consider how this understanding can enhance our reading. We’ll also touch upon adaptations of the novel for the screen, and the continuing life of ‘Emma’ for us as contemporary readers.

What will we cover?

‘I am going to take a heroine whom nobody but myself will much like,’ wrote Jane Austen, as she planned her fourth novel. This heroine is Emma Woodhouse: a wealthy young woman with a sharp mind and a misplaced confidence in her abilities as a matchmaker. The novel follows her efforts and their consequences in the village society of Highbury, and traces Emma’s development – through her mistakes and remorse – towards greater self-understanding.

There’s much to explore in this novel, including its comedy, its vivid cast of characters, and the class hierarchies of Regency-era society. We’ll zoom in on Austen’s admired narrative technique and how it shapes our responses to her complex and perhaps unlikeable heroine. Themes to consider include misunderstandings, education and women’s roles, and we’ll also consider the representations of friendship and marriage in this subtle novel of manners. As we consider the historical and social contexts in which Austen wrote ‘Emma’, we’ll think about how this knowledge can enhance our reading of the novel. We’ll also touch on some screen adaptations of ‘Emma’ and its continuing appeal.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

• Develop your understanding and appreciation of Austen’s themes and narrative techniques in ‘Emma’.
• Develop your understanding and appreciation of the historical and social contexts of ‘Emma’.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

This course is open to everyone who is interested to read and discuss Emma in a friendly group. You don’t need to have read Jane Austen or studied literature before.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

Work outside the class involves doing the reading for each week, and thinking about questions provided for you by the tutor. It would be helpful to come to the first class having read at least Volume One of ‘Emma’ (Chapters 1 to 18).

Teaching on the course includes: short presentations from the tutor, group discussion, small group activities and close reading and analysis. The tutor will encourage participation and interaction, providing opportunities for sharing responses and ideas.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

You’ll need to buy or borrow your own copy of Emma – it can be any edition. The tutor will provide links to and/or copies of all other reading and class materials.

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

Further Literature courses.