In Emma, ​​author Jane Austen uses third-person narration and free indirect speech to show the same objects from different perspectives. The detached narration offers an ironic perspective that critiques the characters' misreadings of situations. The use of free indirect speech in the novel shows how many different characters read the same people or situations in completely different ways. Through these contrasting perspectives of the same objects, the novel's use of perspective reveals more about the subjects than the object itself. The subjects' points of view reveal the characters' personal desires and biases. Objective third-person narration reveals the characters' flawed subjective realities and critiques the way one-sidedness and presumption blind objective judgment. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Austen highlights perspective in Emma using free indirect speech. Perspective is the practice of showing the same object from different points of view. The third-person narration flows freely in and out of the minds of different characters with contrasting perspectives. For example, when Mr. Knightley and Emma are discussing Mr. Martin's marriage proposal to Harriet Smith, the two argue about whether or not Harriet is a suitable match for Mr. Martin. In their discussion, their opinions on Harriet are revealed. While Emma believes that Mr. Martin is "inferior to [Harriet's] station in society" (98), Mr. Knightley argues that Mr. Martin is "as much her superior in sense as in position" (97). Through the use of free indirect speech, the narrator provides insight into Mr. Knightley's and Emma's personal stakes in Mr. Martin's proposal and in Harriet's refusal. As he leaves the conversation, Mr. Knightley is “very upset” and feels “the disappointment of the young man, and [is] mortified at having been the means of promoting it by the sanction he had given; and the part he was convinced Emma had taken in the affair provoked him extremely” (101). The narrator provides insight into how Mr. Knightley feels when he leaves the conversation with Emma and explains why Mr. Knightley has such a furious reaction to the news that Harriet has refused Mr. Martin. During the conversation, Mr. Knightley never explicitly states that he is so angry because he is embarrassed that he approved of the match, so the advantage in his mind through the free indirect speech provides new information about his character and a deeper insight into his opinions on Harriet. . The narrator also enters Emma's mind during the argument, who "tries to appear cheerfully indifferent, but feels really uncomfortable...she [has] a sort of habitual respect for [Mr. Knightley] in general”, so it is unpleasant to have her face to face with so much anger on this issue (100). The narrator states, however, that Emma “does not repent of what she has done: she still considers herself a better judge than he of such a point of right and feminine refinement” (100). Emma believes that she knows Harriet better than Mr. Knightley and therefore her judgment of the situation is more valid and credible. His confidence in his decision to persuade Harriet not to marry Mr. Martin does not waver. The use of free indirect speech allows the views of Mr. Knightley and Emma to be taken into account with regard to Mr. Martin's proposal. The fluid movement in and out of Mr. Knightley and Emma's private thoughts gives the audience a balanced perspective of Harriet. Even if theydiscuss and reflect on the same object - Harriet Smith - their divergent opinions are revealed through their subjective perspectives on it. Although one might expect that having multiple perspectives on the same object would result in a stronger objective understanding of the object, these perspectives end up revealing much more about the subject's desires and biases than the object itself. For example, when Emma first meets Harriet, she remarks that Harriet is "a very pretty girl, and her beauty was of a kind that Emma particularly admired" (69). As a result, Emma quickly becomes "quite determined to pursue knowledge" (69), which is not surprising given that Emma still feels "the absence of Mrs. Weston" (68). Emma decides at that moment that “she would notice her; she would improve it; she would detach her from her bad knowledge and introduce her into good society; she would form her opinions and her manners” (69). Although there is some insight into Harriet's character, the description of Emma's perception of Harriet reveals more about Emma's desires to shape and make Harriet into an acquaintance suitable for her, “certainly a very kind company; which is entirely suited to his own situation in life, his leisure, and his powers” ​​(69). Emma uses the opportunity to shape Harriet to wield her power and have something to keep her from getting bored. Her desire to exercise this power reiterates the way the narrator warns early in the novel that "the real evils of Emma's situation were the power to have a little too much of what she wants and a disposition to have too much of what she wants think for herself. (55). Emma's view of Harriet gives much more insight into Emma's personality and desires than what Harriet wants and who she is. Likewise, Mr. Knightley's dissenting opinion of Frank Churchill reveals more about Mr. Knightley's desires and prejudices than it does about Frank Churchill's character. While everyone in town seems to love Frank Churchill, especially Emma, ​​Mr. Knightley thinks Frank is “just the insignificant, stupid guy he took him to be” (203). This seemingly unwarranted opinion of Frank makes much more sense when Mr. Knightley reveals his personal feelings for Emma, ​​as it previously seemed that Frank and Emma would get to know each other or even marry. Mr. Knightley's perspective on Frank Churchill is therefore more revealing of his personal desires than of Frank's character. Although subjective perspectives are more revealing of the subjects' desires and prejudices than of those of the object, there are instances in the novel where Frank Churchill's perspectives are more revealing of his personal desires than of Frank's character. the subjects completely contradict objective reality. The use of free indirect speech reveals the flaws of allowing personal biases to block objective judgment long before the characters themselves realize it. For example, when Mr. Elton gives Emma the charade, because she desperately wants to play matchmaker and trap Mr. Elton and Harriet, she completely misinterprets the charade as being intended for Harriet, whereas 'it is so clearly intended for him. Reading the charade, Emma reinforces that “it says very plainly” that Mr. Elton desires to court Harriet (106). Emma exclaims after the descriptions of the charade that the writing is "Harriet exactly" and claims that it must be about "Harriet's ready spirit!" (106). At the end of the charade, Emma assures Harrier that she "cannot have a moment's doubt as to Mr. Elton's intentions." [Harriet] is her object — and [she] will soon receive the fullest proof of it”.