Jane Austen's classic is not merely a story of Emma Woodhouse's journey of self discovery, nor is it just a tale of country romance, but rather, Emma chronicles the anxiety of its time: the destabilization of the classes. As the Industrial Revolution allowed for the democratization of money, more and more individuals were able to climb the social ladder in England as never before. With the formation of the ìnew middle class&…showed first 75 words of 1464 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1464 total…the bourgeoisie is very real. As Knightley moves in with the Woodhouses, it is clear that ìthe small band of true friendsî (313) must group together to combat such a threat. Under the guise of consideration, benevolence, and parental guardianship, Emma and Augusta cope with their inability to manage the upward mobility of the nouveau riche by plotting to maintain the inferiority of the young women they purport to improve.