Emma

Emma Woodhouse is described in the opening paragraph as "handsome, clever, and rich" but is also rather spoiled. Austen wrote, "I am going to take a heroine whom no-one but myself will much like." Emma meddles in people's lives, breaks up couples and stands in the way of romance for others less financially fortunate than she.

One well known quote from this novel is 'There are people, who the more you do for them, the less they will do for themselves.' Another quote is 'It is very difficult for the prosperous to be humble." Both seem to be a good fit for society today, or the way we perceive society.

1Emma has too little to worry about, in her own life, and so is into everyone's romances, in spite of the admonitions of her friend Mr. Knightly. He is the only one who dares advise her against her plots and scheming. How very fitting that in the end Emma and Mr. Knightly are the match that is made.