The ways people perceive others offer an inside look at their character. In Jane Austen's novel Emma, this plays a particularly large role. In the novel the protagonist, Emma Woodhouse, passes judgment on every person that she encounters. The development of her character is portrayed by Austen's depiction of Emma's perception of others. While other major characters participate in this endeavor, secondary characters that are some case are never physically present in the plot play an even larger role.

Mr. Dixon is the unfortunate subject of much criticism and scrutiny on Emma's part. Objectively, Mr. Dixon is the husband of Colonel Campbell's daughter. However, as an outward symbol of Emma's inner character, he initially represents her naïveté and impetuously judgmental nature. Austen's tone towards the whole ordeal reinforces this fact, as it contributes to the disapproving outlook at Emma until the very end when she is awakened...