However, she chooses to believe that Harriet is in fact the daughter of a gentleman and therefore deserves a lot from life. Nevertheless, Emma is certainly the person of power in this relationship leaving Harriet in awe, a feeling due social position. This is because Emma and her father are one of the most influential people in their town because of their wealth and the respect that they have gained. Therefore, somebody of a situation in the society such as Harriet would be shocked and grateful to even be noticed let alone liked and adopted in friendship by somebody such as Emma. Therefore she believes that Emma has all of the answers to any questions that may arise and that she should follow what Emma tells her to do. Emma uses this factor to manipulate Harriet's ideas and actions because she senses Harriet's utter respect for her.
"This letter was from him, from Mr Martin, and contained.
a direct proposal of marriage . . . she was come as fast as she could to ask Miss.
Woodhouse what she should do.".
Harriet also represents the effects of social class in marriage because of the Mrs Smith/Mr Elton / Mrs Woodhouse dilemma. This problem arises when Emma believes that Harriet is the perfect match for Mr Elton; which seemingly, to Emma, is made evident because of the amount of time Mr Elton spends with Harriet. As Emma is assured of Mr Elton's feelings she encourages Harriet to feel the same way for him. However, Mr Elton reveals later on in the book that his true intentions were towards Emma and that he spent time with Harriet because then he would be in her presence. The only way to describe his reaction at Emma's inclination is as sheer amazement at the thought that she thought that he could be interested in Harriet Smith.
""Good heaven!" cried Mr Elton . . . Miss Smith! - I never thought of Miss .
Smith in the whole course of my existence - never paid her any attention,.
but as your friend: I never cared if she was dead or alive.