Exploring Societal Constructs through Marriage Discourses: A Critical Analysis of Jane Austen’s Emma

Abstract

This research study presents a Critical Discourse Analysis of Jane Austen's 18th-century novel Emma by employing a qualitative methodological approach. Utilizing Van Dijk's (1995) Socio-cognitive model, the analysis is conducted at the Macrostructure level which allows for the interpretation of the novel's meanings and themes. The study specifically examines dialogues related to the theme of marriage by extracting the concerned excerpts from the text. Through this analysis, the research uncovers the underlying ideologies concerning marriage as presented by female authors of the period. The results indicate that Austen's portrayal of marriage reflects a societal context in which women are systematically underprivileged and subject to male dominance. This suggests that Emma not only offers a narrative about individual characters but also provides a broader commentary on the gender inequalities prevalent in the 18th century. The study thus contributes to the understanding of how literature can mirror and critique social realities particularly concerning women's roles within the institution of marriage.