What is the main theme of Emma?

Of course, discussing the "main theme" of any novel is a
task fraught with problems, as it is very difficult to decide on the "main theme" of any
text, as it is a highly subjective question. However, for me, in this novel of Austen's,
one cannot escape the way that the plot and characters lead towards a message about
growing up and marriage. We are presented with a Miss Emma Woodhouse who at the
beginning of the novel is immature. She makes many mistakes; she shows herself to be a
social snob; she meddles unnecessarily and intrusively into the lives of other people
with tragic consequences. However, partly because of some of these mistakes and the
humiliating and painful consequences that she suffers, and partly because of the patient
and loving guidance of Mr. Knightley, we see a very different Emma at the end of the
tale. Emma grows up throughout the novel more and more to have a self-understanding
about herself that is shown to yield maturity. It is only when she reaches this state of
being self-aware, and of course part of this self-awareness is the realisation that she
loves George Knightley, that she is shown to be ready for
marriage.

Thus the novel has much to say about the process
by which we mature, self-knowledge and how these two concepts are linked to
marriage.