Are you a modern day Emma Woodhouse?

Now I’ve finished my Christmas shopping I feel as though I can start to think about 2016. Next year will see the start of a countdown to a significant birthday which always seems to make me a little introspective.

I grew up reading Jane Austen, thanks to my mum who is a true Jane Austen Super Fan, and often wished I could swap places with one of her fictional heroines. Emma Woodhouse has always been my favourite character, as she had such a strong personality, even though perhaps a little naive and life limited too. My life is, and has been, completely different to hers but I like to think her words have influenced me.

One of my favourite quotes from Emma is “You must be the best judge of your own happiness.” 

Did you know Jane Austen’s novel Emma celebrates its 200 year anniversary this year, on December 23rd? Its protagonist, Emma Woodhouse, is the first Austen heroine with no financial concerns, which she declares is the reason that she has no inducement to marry.

To support the 200^th anniversary of Scottish Widows (launched to support women left widowed after the Napoleonic Wars) a live Twitter chat is being run by Scottish Widows, hosted by Jackie Leiper (@ScottishWidows) and Tots 100 (@tots100) with contribution from Lucy Mangan (@LucyMangan), columnist and writer at The Guardian. The Twitter chat takes place tomorrow on Wednesday 16th December from 8pm. Follow the hashtag of #200yearsofemma to join in the conversation.

I am so grateful that women are in a much stronger position than they were when Emma was alive. I watched an interesting history programme recently about how Jane Austen lived in genteel poverty as she had never married and had no money of her own. I wonder what position I would be in if I had never married. I’ve had so many more opportunities than Emma Woodhouse. I am so grateful that I’ve had a good education, travelled, married and had children – all of which I have chosen to do, rather then felt I had to do. I’ve had financial independence too which is very important to me.

I can’t imagine ever marrying for anything but love. Have you read Emma? There is a character called Harriet who Emma decides to ‘help’ find a suitable husband. Let’s just say relationships were a social and financial minefield in those days and poor Harriet is snubbed by silly Mr Elton who thinks she is beneath him  (for lack of money!). I’ve been so lucky to meet and marry someone I love. We happen to be from the same social and economic background, although I like to think that these were not top of my list at the time.

“It’s such a happiness when good people get together.” Emma, Jane Austen

Although we knew each other for a good few years as friends one day I realised I wanted it to be more and it happened, with a few tears and sleepless nights along the way. We got engaged and married within 6 months, spent enough to have a lovely day with family and friends, but saved our money for an amazing honeymoon to remember rather than a flashy ring and wedding of the year.

“Better be without sense than misapply it as you do. ” Emma, Jane Austen

Now we’ve been together over 10 years and my position is so different than I imagined. I never thought for a moment that I would be a stay at home mum whilst my husband supported us all. I actually can’t wait to get back to some kind of work.

We have a lovely house and the children go to a great school but I want to contribute to our family financially – unpaid housework only goes so far. But more than that, I want to live the life and seize the opportunities available to me and make Emma Woodhouse proud.

Post in collaboration with Scottish Widows