In addition to her father's needs & preferences circumscribing her life, there is the general limitation of what is considered acceptable activity for a woman. Mr. Knightley can run his farm, ride out to Kingsford, be a magistrate, & discuss parish business with the other leaders of the village. How likely would it be for a woman to participate in such activities?

If Emma had more self-discipline, she might master literature & music but that is cold comfort with noone with whom one can discuss ideas--now there I think Emma's deprivation is at least partly of her own creation. I can't quite convince myself that if she can befriend a Harriet Smith she still can't associate with the Martin ladies, & how vulgar are the coxes really? There are probably some young ladies in the village who are as well or better read & perhaps some at Mrs. Goddard's school who are as musically proficient as Emma--of course, noone will tell her that. Emma has constructed a world that generally allows her only solitary dignity.