Essay On Character Analysis: Mr. George Knightley In Jane Austen's Novel Emma

Jane Austen's novel, Emma, is all about a female protagonist of high social standing who is often described as handsome and intelligent, although a bit spoiled young woman. She thinks of herself as someone who does not meddle in other people's affairs and plays matchmaker for her friends, but does not believe that she, herself, will marry some day. Then appear Mr. George Knightley, a highly respectable man who is about 17 years older than Emma is. He does not hesitate to point out Emma's mistakes and he seems actually enjoying this role in her life as he keeps on pushing the limits when it comes to criticizing her behavior. While most people in the neighborhood sees him as compassionate, gentlemanly, a man of good character, and eligible, Emma only sees him as a good friend until a friend of hers admits that she (the friend) is beginning to develop feelings towards Mr. George Knightley. Mr. George Knightley plays a significant role in the novel as he plays the central character's equal and love interest.
The development of Mr. George Knightley's character is important in the novel as he sometimes acts as Austen's substitute in pointing out the character flaws of the female lead. He acts as a mentor or counselor for Emma when it comes to norms and behavior in society. For instance, when Emma snobbishly insults Miss Bates in a picnic gathering, he did not have any qualms in reprimanding Emma about what she did. As a result, Emma guiltily apologizes to the aggrieved neighbor. Because Emma loves to interfere in her friend's affair thinking that what she is doing is of benefit to her love ones, she dissuades Harriet from accepting a marriage proposal from Mr. Martin, thinking that he is too poor and beneath her friend's social class. This snobbish attitude did not go unnoticed and thus, the well-mannered Mr. George Knightley admonishes her once more about her attitude. Mr. George Knightley's character depicts that withholding judgment against others and maintaining a high morals persona is what makes a person decent and highly respectable in society. Furthermore, his characterization illustrates that not all men of nobility are only concerned about themselves. There are also those who are sympathetic and understanding of others' welfare.
His interactions are not limited to Emma alone considering that he also has good relationships with other characters in the novel. He shares a wonderful brotherly relationship with his younger brother, John Knightley, and is a trusted friend and advisor of Mr. Henry Woodhouse, Emma's father. He is also the kind and considerate landowner of the Martins who leases the Knightley property. As a person of high means, he also looks after the welfare of the less fortunate neighbors such as Mrs. Bates, whom he thinks should still enjoy a comfortable life especially now during her twilight years.
As a character, Mr. George Knightley is a likeable one considering that readers most often prefer men who are gallant, confident, highly respectful of others, rational, knows how to treat women, and compassionate, among others. Women especially would swoon if men like Mr. George Knightley would pay a visit and court them. However, the way Austen depicted his character was such that Mr. George Knightley is the perfect person making it look like he never makes mistakes and all his actions and decisions are always calculated. This aspect of characterization makes him appear like a static character that never changed disposition from beginning until the end of the story. His only flaw probably is a small streak of jealousy when he realized that the reason he was against Emma falling in love with another character, Frank Churchill, was that he was also in love with her. Still, that defect does not make him an imperfect gentleman. If ever, it makes him a real and believable character who also feels love and attraction to the opposite gender.
The question now is, "Does this type of man really exist"? My answer is "yes" because I have seen these traits in my father on how he treats my mother and other female members of the family. He is not the jealous type of person. In fact, he is not as open and vocal about his feelings. Nevertheless, he speaks his mind and instilled in us the value of compassion towards others. He says that people should help each other regardless of status in society and must strive to improve the family's financial wellbeing through honest means. He points out our mistakes especially when he sees how we wrongfully treated another person and explains why such acts are not acceptable. For me, he is a believable person to correct our mistakes because I have seen how he lived his life as he strived to be a good and honorable man in society.
Movies, television shows, and other forms of entertainment may depict men as different from how Austen represented Mr. George Knightley, but definitely, there are nameless gentlemen out there who typify the compassionate, honorable, and highly respected individual that Mr. George Knightley is.