The Role Of Miss Bates In “Emma”
Miss Bates is a very important character in Jane Austen’s Emma. She may be viewed as a minor one at first, but if we look deeper, it’s clear she’s a key player. As the representative for Highbury’s lower class, Miss Bates is able to give readers insight into how they feel, while also demonstrating what an upper-class person should be like towards those who are socially inferior. Miss Bates, as the town gossip, is an important news source in Highbury. She also serves as a spokesperson to the mysterious Jane Fairfax.
Miss Bates’s financial position would be expected to be comfortable due to her being the daughter a late vicar. She and her mother are forced to live off the generosity of upper-class members. Austen has constructed Miss Bates in such a way to show the relationship between upper-class members and their inferiors. Austen, for instance, is able show Mr Knightley’s gentlemanly behavior through the Bateses, who send him apples from their orchards. The author can convey responsibility through the relationship between Miss Bates and Mr Knightley.
Austen also uses Miss Bates as a way to illustrate the insensitive behaviour of upper-class people who lack empathy for the less fortunate. Emma initially does not sympathize with Miss Bates due to her “horror” of having to live with the Second and Third Rates of Highbury. This irresponsible and careless behaviour results in Emma snubbing Miss Bates at the Box Hill picnic. Emma is reprimanded by Mr Knightley for being unfeeling towards Miss Bates. Austen uses Miss Bates’ wittiness to teach her a lesson. Austen uses Miss Bates as a moral lesson. Emma is affected by the same shocking revelation that we received from Mr Knightley. This incident is the catalyst that leads to the pivotal moment in Emma’s life.
Austen’s Miss Bates also conveys a moral message about what it means to be a single woman in a patriarchal society. Austen’s other female character, Harriet Smith in particular, illustrates the need for women from lower social classes to marry if they want to maintain financial stability. Miss Bates serves as an example to other characters, such as Jane Fairfax or Harriet Smith. They fear ending up in a situation similar to hers. This argument is illustrated by the conversation between Harriet Smith, Emma Woodhouse and Harriet Smith about Emma’s declaration to never marry. Emma’s declaration that she does not desire fortune or employment …’, illustrates the point. Emma is heir to thirty thousand pounds, and can therefore choose to not marry.
Austen uses Miss Bates’ character not only to illustrate serious issues, but to also bring humor and levity to her novel. She is a character that we find likable because of her constant babble and her love for gossip. Her tendency to be distracted by trivial things and her indirect interference in others’ lives helps us identify characters like Mr Woodhouse. The emaciated side of Mr Woodhouse is revealed through his interactions and relationships with Miss Bates. Emma makes use of what Miss Bates thinks is trivial information. Miss Bates is the only person who can tell us details about Mrs Elton’s wife and her marriage. Miss Bates, on the other hand, is the only one who gives us a glimpse into Jane Fairfax’s mysterious and reserved personality. Miss Bate is the only one who can give us a picture of Jane Fairfax before she arrives at Highbury. Jane Austen is using Miss Bates in order to create curiosity about Jane Fairfax and her arrival at Highbury. Miss Bates, for example declares that Mr Dixon is the one who saved Jane from death. This romantic connection is fed by both Emma and readers.
Miss Bates’ character is a pivotal one in Jane Austen’s Emma. She is both a representation of the lower-classes and a tool to demonstrate correct upper-class behaviour. But she also plays a key role in Emma Woodhouse’s turning point. She is also a good example of what happens to poor spinsters. Her gossiping and endless talking bring humor to the book, while also providing valuable information.
