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How Does Jane Austen Use Game Theory In Emma

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Although there are situations involving main characters in Jane Austen 's novels that turn a circumstance non-strategic, Austen uses minor characters to develop the plot by giving them strategically placed decisions. In Austen's novel Emma, there is a case where Emma, as a non-strategic character, becomes someone who can be amenable to game theory. Emma is a clueless character and therefore she is unaware of her own preferences, as stated earlier, however, Mr. Knightley [a suitor] is very careful about his interactions with people and how he acts around Emma. The scene that is amenable for game theory is the situation of Harriet trying to figure out her feelings towards Mr. Knightley and if she should act on them. Referring to the extensive form tree that explains the …show more content…

Mr. Knightley moves first, he can decide to help Harriet with her problem or leave Harriet to deal with it herself. If he decides not to help Harriet, then the game ends, that is where the scene would have ended up. However, Mr. Knightley decides to help Harriet after all and thus the game continues. Then Harriet will move, deciding after Mr. Knightley has helped her, if she wants to tell Emma that she thinks she has feelings for Mr. Knightley or to hide her feelings from Emma. This is where the strategic interaction comes in for Harriet. Harriet has to marry up in status and she is dependent on Emma to help her do that. However, Harriet has to know decide whether to do what she wants or what she knows Emma will want, "Harriet Smith, whom she [Emma] tries to maneuver into a romance, first with the local vicar, and then with Frank Churchill" (Perry, R. (1986). Interrupted Friendships in Jane Austen's Emma.). Harriet will end up

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