emma litchart

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Emma AUTHOR BIO Full Name: Jane Austen Date of Birth: 1775 Place of Birth: Steventon, Hampshire, England Date of Death: 1817 Brief Life Story: Jane Austen was the seventh child of the parish rector in the town of Steventon, where she and her family resided until moving to Bath in 1801. Though her parents were members of the English gentry, they remained relatively poor. Modest to a fault about the value of her work, Jane Austen nevertheless produced some of the enduring masterpieces of English literature, including the novels Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Emma, and Persuasion. Her novels were published anonymously until after her death, when her authorship became known. While it was not unheard of for women to publish under their own names in Austen's lifetime, it was still a rarity. Despite the fact that her books focus on the intricate rituals of courtship and marriage among the British middle class, Austen herself remained single throughout her life, preferring the life of a writer over that of a wife and hostess. KEY FACTS Full Title: Emma Genre: Comedy of manners Setting: Highbury (fictional village) and at Box Hill, North Surrey, all in England. Climax: Emma’s revelation that she loves Mr. Knightley Protagonist: Emma Woodhouse Antagonist: There is no real antagonist in the novel; Emma’s greatest enemy is her own vanity and pride in her powers of discernment. Point of View: Third person omniscient HISTORICAL AND LITERARY CONTEXT When Written: 1814-1815 Where Written: Chawton, England When Published: 1815 Literary Period: Classicism / Romanticism Related Literary Works: Between the late 18th and early 19th centuries, English literature underwent a dramatic transition. The 18th century had seen the rise of the novel in the works of writers like Daniel Defoe (Moll Flanders) and Samuel Richardson (Pamela). These novels focused on broad social issues of morality and domestic manners. With the turn of the century and the rise of Romanticism, however, the novel began to explore human relationships with a greater degree of emotional complexity. Neither a Classicist nor a Romantic, Jane Austen is perhaps best thought of as a pioneering figure in the development of the novel, providing the bridge from the often didactic novels of an earlier era to the great works of psychological realism of the Victorian period by writer such as George Eliot and Thomas Hardy. Related Historical Events: Austen's novels are famous for the way they seem to exist in a small, self-contained universe. Nevertheless, it is worth noting that Austen's depiction of life in the tranquil English countryside takes place at the same time when England was fighting for its life against the threat of Napoleon, and all of Europe was embroiled in war and political chaos. EXTRA CREDIT “A Heroine . . . No One But Myself Will Much Like.” Jane Austen expressed ambivalence regarding the reception of Emma. She wrote, “I am going to take a heroine whom no one but myself will much like.” After she finished the novel, she predicted, “to those readers who have preferred Pride and Prejudice it will appear inferior in wit, and to those who preferred Mansfield Park very inferior in good sense.” Nonetheless, Emma is thought of by some critics to be Austen’s most representative and complex novel, the last work that she published during her lifetime. A Modern Adaptation. On July 19, 1995, Paramount Pictures released Clueless, an American comedy film adaptation of Emma set in Beverley Hills. Directed by Amy Heckerling and produced by Scott Rudin, the film transports the social hierarchy of Highbury to contemporary American high school culture. It became a sleeper hit, grossing over $11 million on its opening weekend, and receiving great reviews from critics. Rich, beautiful, and privileged Emma Woodhouse fancies herself to be an excellent matchmaker. When her governess marries the well-to-do widower Mr. Weston, a match that Emma views herself to have made, Emma befriends the lower class Harriet Smith and sets out to similarly assist her. She is convinced that her friend deserves a gentleman, though Harriet’s own parentage is unknown. She coaxes Harriet into rejecting Mr. Martin, a farmer whom Emma believes below Harriet, and she instead encourages her friend to admire Mr. Elton, the neighborhood vicar. Mr. Knightley, a long-time friend and Emma’s brother-in-law, discourages Emma’s matchmaking efforts. It turns out that all the signs that Emma has been interpreting as evidence of Mr. Elton’s interest in Harriet were in fact intended for Emma herself. Harriet is heartbroken, and Emma mortified. Humiliated by Emma’s rejection of him and her attempt to pair him with Harriet, Mr. Elton retires to Bath. Emma realizes that personal pride in her judgment and her desires for Harriet blinded her to the real situation. She resolves to never play matchmaker in the future. Meanwhile, Jane Fairfax, another accomplished and beautiful young woman, returns to Highbury to visit her aunt and grandmother, Miss Bates and Mrs. Bates. Orphaned at an early age, Jane has been educated by her father’s friends, the Campbells. She is expected to become a governess, as she has no independent fortune. Emma greets her arrival with mixed admiration and jealousy, as another favorite within their social circle. Emma also suspects Jane’s romantic involvement with her friend’s husband, Mr. Dixon. Mr. Weston’s son, Frank Churchill is also expected to visit after many delays. He lives with his snobbish aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. Churchill, in London. Emma anticipates his arrival with pleasure and finds him charming. Mr. Knightley, on the other hand, immediately dislikes him as superficial and silly. Frank’s flattering attentions soon single Emma out as the object of his choice. Mr. Elton returns from Bath with his new bride, the self-important Mrs. Elton, who takes a liking to Jane and distaste for Emma. Misperception abounds, as various characters speculate over developing romances. Word games, riddles, and letters provide fodder for mixed interpretations of who loves whom. Emma enjoys Frank’s attention, but ultimately decides he is not for her. Mrs. Weston suspects a match between Mr. Knightley and Jane, which Emma vehemently dismisses. Mr. Knightley saves Harriet from social humiliation, asking her to dance when Mr. Elton snubs her. Emma encourages what she believes to be Harriet’s developing interest in Frank, who long ago saved Harriet from the gypsies. Everyone regards Frank and Emma as a match, but Mr. Knightley suspects Frank’s interest in Jane and warns Emma. Emma laughingly dismisses his warning, believing she knows the secrets of each character’s heart. When Mr. BA BACK CKGR GROUND INFO OUND INFO PL PLOT O T OVERVIEW VERVIEW Get hundreds more free LitCharts at LitCharts.com. ©2014 LitCharts LLC www.LitCharts.com | Follow us: @litcharts | Get our Free iPhone App Page 1

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LitChart for the jane austen novel Emma

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Page 1: Emma LitChart

Emma

AUTHOR BIOFull Name: Jane Austen

Date of Birth: 1775

Place of Birth: Steventon, Hampshire, England

Date of Death: 1817

Brief Life Story: Jane Austen was the seventh child of the parish rector in thetown of Steventon, where she and her family resided until moving to Bath in1801. Though her parents were members of the English gentry, they remainedrelatively poor. Modest to a fault about the value of her work, Jane Austennevertheless produced some of the enduring masterpieces of Englishliterature, including the novels Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Emma,and Persuasion. Her novels were published anonymously until after her death,when her authorship became known. While it was not unheard of for womento publish under their own names in Austen's lifetime, it was still a rarity.Despite the fact that her books focus on the intricate rituals of courtship andmarriage among the British middle class, Austen herself remained singlethroughout her life, preferring the life of a writer over that of a wife andhostess.

KEY FACTSFull Title: Emma

Genre: Comedy of manners

Setting: Highbury (fictional village) and at Box Hill, North Surrey, all inEngland.

Climax: Emma’s revelation that she loves Mr. Knightley

Protagonist: Emma Woodhouse

Antagonist: There is no real antagonist in the novel; Emma’s greatest enemy isher own vanity and pride in her powers of discernment.

Point of View: Third person omniscient

HISTORICAL AND LITERARY CONTEXTWhen Written: 1814-1815

Where Written: Chawton, England

When Published: 1815

Literary Period: Classicism / Romanticism

Related Literary Works: Between the late 18th and early 19th centuries,English literature underwent a dramatic transition. The 18th century had seenthe rise of the novel in the works of writers like Daniel Defoe (Moll Flanders)and Samuel Richardson (Pamela). These novels focused on broad social issuesof morality and domestic manners. With the turn of the century and the rise ofRomanticism, however, the novel began to explore human relationships with agreater degree of emotional complexity. Neither a Classicist nor a Romantic,Jane Austen is perhaps best thought of as a pioneering figure in thedevelopment of the novel, providing the bridge from the often didactic novelsof an earlier era to the great works of psychological realism of the Victorianperiod by writer such as George Eliot and Thomas Hardy.

Related Historical Events: Austen's novels are famous for the way they seemto exist in a small, self-contained universe. Nevertheless, it is worth noting thatAusten's depiction of life in the tranquil English countryside takes place at thesame time when England was fighting for its life against the threat ofNapoleon, and all of Europe was embroiled in war and political chaos.

EXTRA CREDIT“A Heroine . . . No One But Myself Will Much Like.” Jane Austen expressedambivalence regarding the reception of Emma. She wrote, “I am going to take aheroine whom no one but myself will much like.” After she finished the novel,she predicted, “to those readers who have preferred Pride and Prejudice it willappear inferior in wit, and to those who preferred Mansfield Park very inferiorin good sense.” Nonetheless, Emma is thought of by some critics to be Austen’smost representative and complex novel, the last work that she publishedduring her lifetime.

A Modern Adaptation. On July 19, 1995, Paramount Pictures releasedClueless, an American comedy film adaptation of Emma set in Beverley Hills.Directed by Amy Heckerling and produced by Scott Rudin, the film transportsthe social hierarchy of Highbury to contemporary American high schoolculture. It became a sleeper hit, grossing over $11 million on its openingweekend, and receiving great reviews from critics.

Rich, beautiful, and privileged Emma Woodhouse fancies herself to be anexcellent matchmaker. When her governess marries the well-to-do widowerMr. Weston, a match that Emma views herself to have made, Emma befriendsthe lower class Harriet Smith and sets out to similarly assist her. She isconvinced that her friend deserves a gentleman, though Harriet’s ownparentage is unknown. She coaxes Harriet into rejecting Mr. Martin, a farmerwhom Emma believes below Harriet, and she instead encourages her friend toadmire Mr. Elton, the neighborhood vicar.

Mr. Knightley, a long-time friend and Emma’s brother-in-law, discouragesEmma’s matchmaking efforts. It turns out that all the signs that Emma hasbeen interpreting as evidence of Mr. Elton’s interest in Harriet were in factintended for Emma herself. Harriet is heartbroken, and Emma mortified.Humiliated by Emma’s rejection of him and her attempt to pair him withHarriet, Mr. Elton retires to Bath. Emma realizes that personal pride in herjudgment and her desires for Harriet blinded her to the real situation. Sheresolves to never play matchmaker in the future.

Meanwhile, Jane Fairfax, another accomplished and beautiful young woman,returns to Highbury to visit her aunt and grandmother, Miss Bates and Mrs.Bates. Orphaned at an early age, Jane has been educated by her father’sfriends, the Campbells. She is expected to become a governess, as she has noindependent fortune. Emma greets her arrival with mixed admiration andjealousy, as another favorite within their social circle. Emma also suspectsJane’s romantic involvement with her friend’s husband, Mr. Dixon.

Mr. Weston’s son, Frank Churchill is also expected to visit after many delays.He lives with his snobbish aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. Churchill, in London.Emma anticipates his arrival with pleasure and finds him charming. Mr.Knightley, on the other hand, immediately dislikes him as superficial and silly.Frank’s flattering attentions soon single Emma out as the object of his choice.Mr. Elton returns from Bath with his new bride, the self-important Mrs. Elton,who takes a liking to Jane and distaste for Emma.

Misperception abounds, as various characters speculate over developingromances. Word games, riddles, and letters provide fodder for mixedinterpretations of who loves whom. Emma enjoys Frank’s attention, butultimately decides he is not for her. Mrs. Weston suspects a match betweenMr. Knightley and Jane, which Emma vehemently dismisses. Mr. Knightleysaves Harriet from social humiliation, asking her to dance when Mr. Eltonsnubs her. Emma encourages what she believes to be Harriet’s developinginterest in Frank, who long ago saved Harriet from the gypsies.

Everyone regards Frank and Emma as a match, but Mr. Knightley suspectsFrank’s interest in Jane and warns Emma. Emma laughingly dismisses hiswarning, believing she knows the secrets of each character’s heart. When Mr.

BABACKCKGRGROUND INFOOUND INFO

PLPLOOT OT OVERVIEWVERVIEW

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Knightley reprimands her for mocking the harmless Miss Bates, however, shefeels great remorse and resolves to improve her behavior to the Bateses.

Mrs. Churchill dies, setting in motion the shocking revelation that Frank andJane have been secretly engaged. Frank’s courtship of Emma was a cover tohide his true attachment, which his aunt opposed. Through a series of painfulmisunderstandings, Jane broke off their engagement and was about to take upa governess position. Frank frantically obtained his uncle’s approval to marryher, and the two reconciled.

Emma also misperceived Harriet’s interest in Frank, as Harriet reveals herselfto be in love Mr. Knightley. In turn, Emma’s distress over this revelationtriggers her own realization that she, too, is in love with Mr. Knightley. Emmafeels considerable anguish over her various misperceptions about Frank, Jane,Harriet, and herself. She reproves herself for being blinded by her own desiresand self-interest.

Emma fears that Mr. Knightley will confess his love for Harriet, but to hersurprise and delight, he declares his love for Emma. Emma happily accepts Mr.Knightley’s proposal, and she later has the opportunity of reflecting withFrank that, despite their many blunders, they have both been luckier than theydeserve in their beloveds. Emma is further cheered upon learning that Harriethas accepted a second proposal from Mr. Martin. The novel concludes withthree marriages: Harriet and Mr. Martin, Jane and Frank, and Emma and Mr.Knightley—the final match which is celebrated as a happy union of equals.

Emma WEmma Woodhouseoodhouse – The protagonist of the novel, Emma Woodhouse is therich, beautiful, and privileged mistress of Hartfield. She lives a comfortable lifewith her elderly father, running the house and organizing social invitationswithin the high society of Highbury. Her mother died when she was young, andshe was since spoilt by her governess, the newly married Mrs. Weston. At thestart of the novel, her major flaw is a combination of vanity and pride: shethinks a little too highly of herself and believes herself possessed of greatdiscernment in matchmaking. Despite these flaws, Emma’s understanding andgood nature allow her to learn from her mistakes and cultivate kindness andhumility. Her resolution to remain single also demonstrates an unusualprioritization of her independence and pleasure as a woman, though it is onethat she later gives up in marrying Mr. Knightley.

MrMr. George Knightle. George Knightleyy – The long-time friend and trusted confidante of theWoodhouses, Emma’s brother-in-law. Mr. Knightley is a true gentleman inlineage, estate, and virtue. He lives at Donwell Abbey, the spacious estate thathe manages. He displays integrity and charity, as he constantly uses hisresources—whether it is his position, his carriage, or his apples—to assistothers. He is the only character who openly critiques Emma, demonstratinghis dedication to her moral development. His judgment is well respected and,though not entirely biased by his self-interest, he nonetheless proves to bemore discerning than many of the other characters in the novel.

FFrrank Churchillank Churchill – Mr. Weston’s son and Mrs. Weston’s stepson. Raised by hisaunt and uncle in Enscombe, Frank is anticipated as a suitor for Emma, thoughhis real love is Jane. His lively spirit and charms render him immediatelylikeable, but he also reveals himself to be rather thoughtless, deceitful, andselfish. He carelessly interprets Emma’s behavior in a manner convenient tohimself, and he petulantly disregards Jane’s feelings. However, like Emma,Frank possesses an improvable disposition and good understanding andultimately desires to do what is right for those he loves.

Jane FairfaxJane Fairfax – Miss Bates’s niece and Mrs. Bates’s granddaughter. As anotheraccomplished and beautiful young woman of similar age, Jane incites Emma’sjealousy and admiration. Her reserved temperament frustrates Emma, even asEmma admires Jane’s elegance of look and manner. Jane’s lack of fortune andgood family leave her dependent on the good will of others and force her toseek employment, but her marriage to Frank saves her from the latter fate.

Harriet SmithHarriet Smith – A sweet-looking young woman of uncertain parentage whoboards at Mrs. Goddard’s school. Harriet is pretty and good-tempered, butsimple-minded. She adores Emma, who socially takes her under her wing.

MrMr. W. Woodhouseoodhouse – Emma’s father and the Woodhouse patriarch. Mr.Woodhouse is a rather silly, excessively nervous, and frail old man who dotes

on his daughter. He hates change and possesses a narrow-minded and evenselfish outlook on changes like his oldest daughter’s marriage, which he viewsas a tragedy depriving him of familiar and beloved company. However, Emmaand his close friends not only humor, but also comfort him in all of his foibles.

Mrs. WMrs. Westoneston – Formerly Emma’s governess and beloved companion, MissTaylor marries Mr. Weston to become Mrs. Weston at the novel’s start. She iskind and dedicated to Emma, whom she has pampered as a child.

MrMr. W. Westoneston – Husband to Mrs. Weston and owner of Randalls. Mr. Weston isagreeable and sociable, delighting in his friends and his son by a previousmarriage, Frank Churchill.

MrMr. Elton. Elton – The vicar of Highbury. Well-respected and generally liked, Mr.Elton initially seems like an agreeable, if somewhat fawning, young man.However, his subsequent behavior towards Harriet reveals him to beconceited and superficial.

MrMr. Robert Martin. Robert Martin – A young farmer living at Abbey-Mill Farm with hismother and sisters. Mr. Martin is sensible, good-hearted, and generous, andthough he comes from a lower class of farmers, Mr. Knightley attributes somevirtues of real gentility to him in his kindness.

Miss BatesMiss Bates – The middle-aged spinster aunt of Jane Fairfax. Miss Bates is amiddle-aged, garrulous spinster with neither beauty, nor fortune, nor wit.However, her good temperament and kindness render her generally well likedin the neighborhood.

Mrs. BatesMrs. Bates – Miss Bates’s mother and Jane’s grandmother.

Isabella KnightleIsabella Knightleyy – Emma’s older sister and Mr. John Knightley’s wife.

MrMr. John Knightle. John Knightleyy – Mr. Knightley’s brother and Emma’s brother-in-law.

Mrs. EltonMrs. Elton – Mr. Elton’s wife from Bath, formerly Miss Augusta Hawkins. Mrs.Elton lands on the scene as a self-important, vain, and vulgar woman, and veryfull of what she has (which is limited to some fortune and a rich brother-in-law).

Mrs. ChurchillMrs. Churchill – Frank Churchill’s aunt and guardian, and Mr. Weston’sformer sister-in-law. Mrs. Churchill is a snobbish and domineering womanwho exerts considerable influence over her husband and Frank.

MrMr. Churchill. Churchill – Mrs. Churchill’s husband and Frank’s guardian.

Colonel CampbellColonel Campbell – Jane’s guardian and adoptive parent who cares for Janeafter his friend—Jane’s father—dies in combat.

Mrs. DixMrs. Dixonon – Colonel Campbell’s daughter and Jane’s childhood friend.

MrMr. Dix. Dixonon – Husband to the Campbell’s daughter. Emma suspects that therewas a romantic involvement between Jane and Mr. Dixon, prior to hismarriage.

Mrs. GoddardMrs. Goddard – Mistress of the local boarding school where Harriet Smithboards.

MrMr. P. Perryerry – Mr. Woodhouse’s favored doctor in the neighborhood.

Elizabeth MartinElizabeth Martin – Mr. Martin’s sister and Harriet’s friend, during their earlyacquaintance.

MrMr. and Mrs. Cole. and Mrs. Cole – A nouveau-riche family of tradespeople. Emma considersthe Coles to be below her social set, and she desires to teach them a lessonabout their inferior social standing by turning down their dinner invitation.

In LitCharts each theme gets its own color. Our color-coded theme boxesmake it easy to track where the themes occur throughout the work.

SOCIAL CLASSSOCIAL CLASSEmma, like most of Austen’s novels, is a study in 18th Century English societyand the significance of propriety. The rich and “well-bred” control the socialsituations, issuing and initiating invitations and friendships. Those of low socialstanding depend upon the charity and initiative of those in the higher class.When violations of this order occur, they are often met with great indignationby those of genteel-breeding, as when Emma takes offense at Mrs. Eltonpresuming to nickname Mr. Knightley.

CHARACHARACTERSCTERS

THEMESTHEMES

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Social class also dictates the social obligations between the characters, andthe way in which their actions respond to these obligations reveals theircharacter. The novel, for instance, teases out the nuances of charity regardingclass: Emma is charitable towards the poor, but shows little initiative inbefriending the orphaned and talented Jane.

The characters’ use or abuse of their social standing reveals much about theirkindness or cruelty. For instance, Emma’s exercise of wit at the expense of thesilly, but low-standing Miss Bates is condemned as cruel by Mr. Knightleybecause it is an abuse of her social clout. Humiliating the hapless Miss Batessets a bad example for those in society who would follow her example. On theother hand, Mr. Knightley’s asking Harriet to dance after she has beensnubbed by Mr. Elton is an act of charity, graciousness, and chivalry becausehe is of a high social standing in comparison to both her and Mr. Elton. His actsocially “saves” Harriet and reprimands the Eltons for their rudeness.

Social class also restricts the actions that characters are able to take infulfilling their desires, as is most evidently seen in the novel’s drama regardingmarriage matches. Frank must conceal his engagement with Jane because sheis an orphan and regarded as an unsuitable social match by his family. Harrietrejects Robert Martin because Emma advises her that he is “beneath” her. Mr.Elton rejects Harriet by the same calculations, and so on.

MARRIAMARRIAGEGEEmma deals with many visions of what marriage entails. Social acceptability,financial practicality, similar social standing, shared virtues, matching talents,comparable charm and beauty, and similar dispositions are all componentsthat present themselves with different degrees of importance in the marriagecalculations of different characters. For women, who were often barred fromowning property and faced significant limitations in employment, marriagebecame particularly critical as both the expected social norm and the oftennecessary means of financial security. Harriet’s bewilderment as Emma’sdecision to remain single and her own horror of the fate of spinsters illustratesthe social stigma attached to those who were unable to marry, like theunfortunate and foolish Miss Bates.

Emma believes herself to be a skilled matchmaker, and her pride in herdiscernment of good matches and her ultimate humbling in this regardhighlights that she has much to learn in judging others characters, her own,and what makes a good marriage. While Austen in certain ways affirms thesocial conventions of marriage in pairing most of her characters with partnersof equal social standing, she also complicates and critiques these conventions.Though Emma believes Mr. Martin to be below Harriet, Mr. Knightley arguesthat Harriet would be lucky to be with Mr. Martin on account of the latter’svirtue. Similarly, both Mr. Knightley and Emma come to agree that Frank islucky to be accepted by Jane, even though she is considered of inferior socialstanding, because she surpasses him in virtue.

Marriage is also an agent of social change. Though certainly dictated by thecharacters’ social standing (as when characters reject or pursue matches toconsolidate their social standing), it also makes characters’ social standing, asin the case with Mr. Weston’s first marriage to a wealthy and well-connectedwoman, which elevated his social standing in society.

GENDER LIMITGENDER LIMITAATIONSTIONSDespite the strong-willed and confident female protagonist who is the novel’snamesake, Emma reveals the limited options of women in Austen’s era. Early inthe novel, Emma decides to stay single: she views her situation as a financiallyself-sufficient single woman at the top of the social hierarchy to suit herpreferences more than being a wife would. Yet Emma’s influence in society isfor the most part limited to her attempts to arrange her friends’ marriage, andeven this influence is revealed to be questionable. Mr. Knightley countersEmma’s belief that she arranged Mr. Weston and Mrs. Weston’s marriagewith the assertion that they would have found each other on their own termsand time without Emma’s “help.” Furthermore, Emma’s meddling more oftenthan not proves mistaken and disastrous, as when she becomes responsiblefor Harriet’s heartbreak at the hands of Mr. Elton. Emma’s hobbies of charity,social calls, and the nice “female accomplishments” of music and art reflect aprivileged but relatively limited sphere of activity.

Jane represents a case in which the limitations of her gender, combined withher relative lack of social status and financial stability, threaten her freedom tolive the life she desires. This becomes particularly clear when she no longerviews marriage to Frank as a viable option, and finds herself forced to acceptan undesirable position as a governess. In the case of other female charactersand even finally Emma, marriage represents the most viable option for awoman to live a comfortable life. Women’s influence, in this sense, lies largelyin their relation to men—to attract, reject, and accept their proposals ofmarriage.

MISPERMISPERCEPTIONCEPTIONEmma’s initial perceptions of people and her own confidence in her abilities asmatchmaker turn out to be very mistaken. Throughout the course of the novel,Emma repeatedly misreads signs of attention and attraction: she believes Mr.Elton to be wooing Harriet, when he is in fact interested only in her; shebelieves Harriet to be in love with Frank, when she is in fact in love with Mr.Knightley, and so on. At the heart of Emma’s misperception is her vanity andpride. She sees what she wants to believe, and it is not until the disastrousconsequences of her interference that she gradually comes to realize howmisplaced her confidence in her abilities is.

PRIDE AND VPRIDE AND VANITYANITYEmma is described in the first chapter as an extremely well endowed youngwoman, who possesses “some of the best blessings of existence”: she isbeautiful, intelligent, wealthy, and well bred with a father who loves her dearly.But she also possesses a critical flaw that threatens the success of herintentions to positively interfere with her friends’ lives—her somewhat spoilednature, and vanity and pride about her abilities and perceptiveness. Becauseshe believes herself to have great talent in discerning people’s natures andsuitable love matches, she is slow to recognize that she is wrong. It takes manyhumiliating and hurtful mistakes before Emma is finally humbled into therealization that her interference is often misguided, and that she has much tolearn both about the desires of others and her own heart.

As Mr. Knightley points out, Emma’s initial dislike of Jane stems in part fromher jealousy of the latter, who threatens her sense of security in her ownaccomplishment, beauty, and character. Though she believes that her distastefor Jane stems from their different styles of temperament (vivacity vs.reserve) and beauty (robust vs. slender), she comes to realize that it is in facttheir similarity that results in her discomfort—they occupy similar positions asaccomplished females in their social circles, and they are also both greatlyadmired. It is not until Emma progresses beyond her initial pride that shecomes to appreciate Jane’s quality and admire the very differences she oncecritiqued. Even more significantly, it is not until Emma is humbled by therevelation of her mistakes that she is able to know her own heart andrecognize Mr. Knightley as her beloved.

Symbols appear in red text throughout the Summary & Analysis sections ofthis LitChart.

RIDDLES AND WORD GAMESRiddle and word games represent the major theme of misperception, as theirhidden meaning leaves much open for interpretation and misinterpretation.Just as Emma constantly reads romance between the lines of various socialinteractions, riddles and word games serve as disguised messages of romanticintentions. For those like Emma who possess an incomplete knowledge ofothers’ and their own hearts, however, these puzzles may contribute to, asopposed to clarifying, the confusion. For instance, Emma interprets Mr. Elton’sriddle of “courtship” as intended for Harriet, when it is in fact intended forEmma herself, and Mr. Elton mistakenly interprets Emma’s warm reception ofit as encouragement.

LETTERSWord games can also be intended to deceive, rather than clarify. As Mr.Knightley suspiciously observes the word games that Frank plays with Emma

SYMBOLSSYMBOLS

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and Jane, he becomes convinced that it is but a cover for a much deeper gameof deception and intrigue that the young man plays with the two ladies’ hearts.

The color-coded boxes under each quote below make it easy to track thethemes related to each quote. Each color corresponds to one of the themesexplained in the Themes section of this LitChart.

CHAPTER 1The real evils, indeed, of Emma’s situation were the power of having rather toomuch her own way, and a disposition to think a little too well of herself: thesewere the disadvantages which threatened alloy to her many enjoyments. Thedanger, however, was at present so unperceived, that they did not by anymeans rank as misfortunes with her.

—Narrator

CHAPTER 3[Emma] was not struck by any thing remarkably clever in Miss Smith'sconversation, but she found her altogether very engaging—not inconvenientlyshy, not unwilling to talk—and yet so far from pushing, shewing so proper andbecoming a deference, seeming so pleasantly grateful for being admitted toHartfield, and so artlessly impressed by the appearance of every thing in sosuperior a style to what she had been used to, that she must have good senseand deserve encouragement. . . . She would notice her; she would improve her;she would detach her from her bad acquaintance, and introduce her into goodsociety; she would form her opinions and her manners. It would be aninteresting, and certainly a very kind undertaking; highly becoming her ownsituation in life, her leisure, and powers.

—Narrator

CHAPTER 4A young farmer, whether on horseback or on foot, is the very last sort ofperson to raise my curiosity. The yeomanry are precisely the order of peoplewith whom I feel I can have nothing to do. A degree or two lower, and acreditable appearance might interest me; I might hope to be useful to theirfamilies in some way or other. But a farmer can need none of my help, and istherefore in one sense as much above my notice as in every other he is belowit.

—Emma

CHAPTER 5I think [Harriet Smith] the very worst sort of companion that Emma couldpossibly have. She knows nothing herself, and looks upon Emma as knowingevery thing. She is a flatterer in all her ways; and so much the worse, becauseundesigned. Her ignorance is hourly flattery. How can Emma imagine she hasany thing to learn herself, while Harriet is presenting such a delightfulinferiority? And as for Harriet, I will venture to say that she cannot gain by theacquaintance. Hartfield will only put her out of conceit with all the otherplaces she belongs to. She will grow just refined enough to be uncomfortablewith those among whom birth and circumstances have placed her home. I ammuch mistaken if Emma's doctrines give any strength of mind, or tend at all tomake a girl adapt herself rationally to the varieties of her situation inlife.—They only give a little polish.

—Mr. Knightley

CHAPTER 8Harriet's claims to marry well are not so contemptible as you represent them.She is not a clever girl, but she has better sense than you are aware of, anddoes not deserve to have her understanding spoken of so slightingly. Wavingthat point, however, and supposing her to be, as you describe her, only prettyand good-natured, let me tell you, that in the degree she possesses them, theyare not trivial recommendations to the world in general . . . Her good-nature,too, is not so very slight a claim, comprehending, as it does, real, thoroughsweetness of temper and manner, a very humble opinion of herself, and a greatreadiness to be pleased with other people. I am very much mistaken if your sexin general would not think such beauty, and such temper, the highest claims awoman could possess."

—Emma

CHAPTER 10I have none of the usual inducements of women to marry. Were I to fall in love,indeed, it would be a different thing! but I never have been in love; it is not myway, or my nature; and I do not think I ever shall. And, without love, I am sure Ishould be a fool to change such a situation as mine. Fortune I do not want;employment I do not want; consequence I do not want: I believe few marriedwomen are half as much mistress of their husband's house as I am of Hartfield;and never, never could I expect to be so truly beloved and important; so alwaysfirst and always right in any man's eyes as I am in my father's.

—Emma

Never mind, Harriet, I shall not be a poor old maid; and it is poverty only whichmakes celibacy contemptible to a generous public! A single woman, with a verynarrow income, must be a ridiculous, disagreeable, old maid! the proper sportof boys and girls; but a single woman, of good fortune, is always respectable,and may be as sensible and pleasant as anybody else.

—Emma

CHAPTER 16The first error, and the worst, lay at her door. It was foolish, it was wrong, totake so active a part in bringing any two people together. It was adventuringtoo far, assuming too much, making light of what ought to be serious—a trickof what ought to be simple. She was quite concerned and ashamed, andresolved to do such things no more.

—Narrator

CHAPTER 18Depend upon it, Emma, a sensible man would find no difficulty in it. He wouldfeel himself in the right; and the declaration—made, of course, as a man ofsense would make it, in a proper manner—would do him more good, raise himhigher, fix his interest stronger with the people he depended on, than all that aline of shifts and expedients can ever do. Respect would be added to affection.. . . Respect for right conduct is felt by every body. If he would act in this sort ofmanner, on principle, consistently, regularly, their little minds would bend tohis.

—Mr. Knightley

QUOQUOTESTES

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CHAPTER 21Emma was sorry;—to have to pay civilities to a person she did not like throughthree long months!—to be always doing more than she wished, and less thanshe ought! Why she did not like Jane Fairfax might be a difficult question toanswer; Mr. Knightley had once told her it was because she saw in her thereally accomplished young woman, which she wanted to be thought herself;and though the accusation had been eagerly refuted at the time, there weremoments of self-examination in which her conscience could not quite acquither.

—Narrator

CHAPTER 25The Coles were very respectable in their way, but they ought to be taught thatit was not for them to arrange the terms on which the superior families wouldvisit them. This lesson, she very much feared, they would receive only fromherself; she had little hope of Mr. Knightley, none of Mr. Weston.

—Narrator

CHAPTER 31It had been a very happy fortnight, and forlorn must be the sinking from it intothe common course of Hartfield days. To complete every otherrecommendation, he had almost told her that he loved her. What strength, orwhat constancy of affection he might be subject to, was another point; but atpresent she could not doubt his having a decidedly warm admiration, aconscious preference of herself; and this persuasion, joined to all the rest,made her think that she must be a little in love with him, in spite of everyprevious determination against it.

—Narrator

CHAPTER 33"Insufferable woman!" was her immediate exclamation. "Worse than I hadsupposed. Absolutely insufferable! Knightley!—I could not have believed it.Knightley!—never seen him in her life before, and call him Knightley!—anddiscover that he is a gentleman! A little upstart, vulgar being, with her Mr. E.,and her caro sposo, and her resources, and all her airs of pert pretension andunder-bred finery. Actually to discover that Mr. Knightley is a gentleman! Idoubt whether he will return the compliment, and discover her to be a lady. Icould not have believed it! And to propose that she and I should unite to forma musical club! One would fancy we were bosom friends! And Mrs.Weston!—Astonished that the person who had brought me up should be agentlewoman! Worse and worse. I never met with her equal. Much beyond myhopes. Harriet is disgraced by any comparison.”

—Emma, Narrator

CHAPTER 39In another moment a happier sight caught her;—Mr. Knightley leading Harrietto the set!—Never had she been more surprised, seldom more delighted, thanat that instant. She was all pleasure and gratitude, both for Harriet and herself,and longed to be thanking him; and though too distant for speech, hercountenance said much, as soon as she could catch his eye again.

—Narrator

CHAPTER 41The word was blunder; and as Harriet exultingly proclaimed it, there was ablush on Jane's cheek which gave it a meaning not otherwise ostensible. Mr.Knightley connected it with the dream; but how it could all be, was beyond hiscomprehension. How the delicacy, the discretion of his favourite could havebeen so lain asleep! He feared there must be some decided involvement.Disingenuousness and double dealing seemed to meet him at every turn.These letters were but the vehicle for gallantry and trick. It was a child's play,chosen to conceal a deeper game on Frank Churchill's part.

—Narrator

CHAPTER 43Were she a woman of fortune, I would leave every harmless absurdity to takeits chance, I would not quarrel with you for any liberties of manner. Were sheyour equal in situation—but, Emma, consider how far this is from being thecase. She is poor; she has sunk from the comforts she was born to; and, if shelive to old age, must probably sink more. Her situation should secure yourcompassion. It was badly done, indeed!—You, whom she had known from aninfant, whom she had seen grow up from a period when her notice was anhonour, to have you now, in thoughtless spirits, and the pride of the moment,laugh at her, humble her—and before her niece, too—and before others, manyof whom (certainly some,) would be entirely guided by your treatment of her.

—Mr. Knightley

CHAPTER 45The wretchedness of a scheme to Box Hill was in Emma's thoughts all theevening. . . . If attention, in future, could do away the past, she might hope to beforgiven. She had been often remiss, her conscience told her so; remiss,perhaps, more in thought than fact; scornful, ungracious. But it should be so nomore. In the warmth of true contrition, she would call upon her the very nextmorning, and it should be the beginning, on her side, of a regular, equal, kindlyintercourse.

—Narrator

CHAPTER 46[Emma] could have no doubt—putting every thing together—that Jane wasresolved to receive no kindness from her. She was sorry, very sorry. Her heartwas grieved for a state which seemed but the more pitiable from this sort ofirritation of spirits, inconsistency of action, and inequality of powers; and itmortified her that she was given so little credit for proper feeling, or esteemedso little worthy as a friend: but she had the consolation of knowing that herintentions were good, and of being able to say to herself, that could Mr.Knightley have been privy to all her attempts of assisting Jane Fairfax, couldhe even have seen into her heart, he would not, on this occasion, have foundany thing to reprove.

—Narrator

CHAPTER 47I have escaped; and that I should escape, may be a matter of grateful wonderto you and myself. But this does not acquit him, Mrs. Weston; and I must say,that I think him greatly to blame. What right had he to come among us withaffection and faith engaged, and with manners so very disengaged? What righthad he to endeavour to please, as he certainly did—to distinguish any oneyoung woman with persevering attention, as he certainly did—while he reallybelonged to another?—How could he tell what mischief he might be

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doing?—How could he tell that he might not be making me in love withhim?—very wrong, very wrong indeed.

—Emma

CHAPTER 48A few minutes were sufficient for making her acquainted with her own heart.A mind like hers, once opening to suspicion, made rapid progress; she touched,she admitted, she acknowledged the whole truth. Why was it so much worsethat Harriet should be in love with Mr. Knightley than with Frank Churchill?Why was the evil so dreadfully increased by Harriet’s having some hope of areturn? It darted through her with the speed of an arrow that Mr. Knightleymust marry no one but herself!

—Narrator

With insufferable vanity had she believed herself in the secret of everybody'sfeelings; with unpardonable arrogance proposed to arrange everybody'sdestiny. She was proved to have been universally mistaken; and she had notquite done nothing—for she had done mischief. She had brought evil onHarriet, on herself, and she too much feared, on Mr. Knightley.—Were thismost unequal of all connexions to take place, on her must rest all the reproachof having given it a beginning; for his attachment, she must believe to beproduced only by a consciousness of Harriet's;—and even were this not thecase, he would never have known Harriet at all but for her folly.

—Narrator

CHAPTER 49"I cannot make speeches, Emma:"—he soon resumed; and in a tone of suchsincere, decided, intelligible tenderness as was tolerably convincing.—"If Iloved you less, I might be able to talk about it more. But you know what Iam.—You hear nothing but truth from me.—I have blamed you, and lecturedyou, and you have borne it as no other woman in England would have borneit.—Bear with the truths I would tell you now, dearest Emma, as well as youhave borne with them. The manner, perhaps, may have as little to recommendthem. God knows, I have been a very indifferent lover.—But you understandme.

—Mr. Knightley, Narrator

Seldom, very seldom, does complete truth belong to any human disclosure;seldom can it happen that something is not a little disguised, or a littlemistaken; but where, as in this case, though the conduct is mistaken, thefeelings are not, it may not be very material.—Mr. Knightley could not imputeto Emma a more relenting heart than she possessed, or a heart more disposedto accept of his.

—Narrator

CHAPTER 55The joy, the gratitude, the exquisite delight of her sensations may be imagined.The sole grievance and alloy thus removed in the prospect of Harriet'swelfare, she was really in danger of becoming too happy for security.—Whathad she to wish for? Nothing, but to grow more worthy of him, whoseintentions and judgment had been ever so superior to her own. Nothing, butthat the lessons of her past folly might teach her humility and circumspectionin future.

—Narrator

High in the rank of her most serious and heartfelt felicities, was the reflectionthat all necessity of concealment from Mr. Knightley would soon be over. Thedisguise, equivocation, mystery, so hateful to her to practise, might soon beover. She could now look forward to giving him that full and perfect confidencewhich her disposition was most ready to welcome as a duty.

—Narrator

The color-coded boxes under "Analysis & Themes" below make it easy to trackthe themes throughout the work. Each color corresponds to one of thethemes explained in the Themes section of this LitChart.

CHAPTER 1The novel introduces us to theprotagonist, Emma Woodhouse, aprivileged young woman who livesnear the village of Highbury and isblessed with good looks, cleverness,and wealth. She has not experiencedany great hardships in life, and heronly significant disadvantages in lifeare that she has been rather spoiledby those around her and thinks a littletoo highly of herself.

The importance of social class andgender is introduced immediately in thecharacter of Emma, who is able toremain comfortably single as a womanbecause of her high social class andprivileged situation. With these blessings,she avoids the stigma of spinsterhoodand is instead regarded as a leading ladyof high society.

Because Emma’s older sister, Isabella,is married and her mother died whenshe was still young, she is the mistressof her father’s house. Miss Taylor, hergoverness of sixteen years, presentsless of an authority figure and behavesmore like a sister and friend.

Because she lacks maternal correction,Emma is used to getting her way from anearly age. She has encountered fewpeople who either observe fault in her orare willing to correct her, inflating hervanity.

Today, Emma sadly contemplates thedeparture of Miss Taylor from theWoodhouse family estate at Hartfield.Miss Taylor has married Mr. Weston,a widower of good fortune andpleasant manners, depriving Emma ofher constant companion. Her elderlyfather, Mr. Woodhouse, is even moredistressed by Miss Taylor’s departure,as he hates change of every kind andcannot see her happiness beyond theunpleasantness of his discomfort.

Miss Taylor’s marriage preoccupiesEmma’s mind, highlighting the centralityof marriage and gender in Austen’s novel.Because Miss Taylor has few financialresources, marriage provides anopportunity for her to escape her lowerworking class status as well as to achievematerial security.

Mr. Knightley, a longtime, close familyfriend and Emma’s brother-in-law (heis the older brother of Isabella’shusband), visits in the evening. Hechats pleasantly with theWoodhouses about Miss Taylor’smarriage. He celebrates the match,noting that Miss Taylor will now haveher own home and be comfortablytaken care of.

Mr. Knightley affirms the goodness ofMiss Taylor’s match, contributing apractical and wise perspective to theprivileged Woodhouses’ slightly self-absorbed distress over her departure.

SUMMARY & ANALSUMMARY & ANALYSISYSIS

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When Emma takes credit for makingthe match, Mr. Knightley gentlyscolds her role in the affair and insiststhat she bears no responsibility fortheir marriage. He is one of the fewpeople who can find any fault withEmma, and the only person who everattempts to correct her.

Throughout the novel, Mr. Knightleyprovides an alternative perspective toEmma’s interpretation of events, onethat often corrects her misperceptions;he plays an almost paternal role that isotherwise lacking in her life.

Mr. Woodhouse, who hates change somuch he even dislikes marriage, begsEmma to put off with making suchsuccessful matches. Emma declaresshe will make one final match: she hasdetermined to find Mr. Elton, theirneighborhood rector, a wife.

Mr. Woodhouse blindly adopts Emma’sself-perception of her talents andbelieves in her perfection. Emma cannotresist exerting her self-acclaimedinfluence in her social circles.

CHAPTER 2Mr. Weston’s first marriage with MissChurchill was an “unsuitableconnection” that “did not producemuch happiness.” Because Mr.Weston was from a lower class thanhis wife, his wife’s family disapprovedof the match. Mrs. Weston, althoughshe loved Mr. Weston, also missed theluxuries of her former lifestyle.

The importance of social class in makinga good marriage “match” is highlighted inMr. Weston’s first marriage, whichdespite being a love match is unhappybecause of the social and familialpressures resulting from the mismatch insocial class.

Three years after their marriage, Mrs.Weston died and left Mr. Westonwith a boy child and even less moneythan he started out with because oftheir high spending. The childless Mr.and Mrs. Churchill, the late Mrs.Weston’s brother and his wife,adopted the child as their own heir ina reconciliation of sorts between thetwo families.

Mr. Weston’s first marriage leaves himslightly older and wiser, as well assignificantly poorer and unhappier. If theChurchills had not had a turn of heartand adopted his son, he would have beenin a much more difficult situation.

Mr. Weston then worked for abouttwenty years to secure his fortune,leaving the militia for the tradeindustry. When Miss Taylor caught hiseye, he responsibly purchased thesmall estate of Randalls beforeproposing marriage. His secondmarriage with this “well-judging andtruly amiable woman” is comfortableand delightful, a much happier andmore suitable match than his first.

Mr. Weston learns the importance ofsecuring financial security, a more evenmatch in social class, and solid characterqualities with his second marriage. Whenhe is interested in Miss Taylor, he ensuresthat he has also followed the pragmaticand socially prescribed prerequisites tomarriage, like buying suitable property.

The village looks forward to the visitof Frank Churchill, the son of Mr.Weston’s first marriage, who isexpected to visit on the occasion of hisfather’s second marriage. Mr. Westonbrings back glowing reports of his sonon his annual visits to London, wherethe Churchills live, and the village hascome to feel a degree of pride in himas well—even though he has neverreturned his father’s visits and cometo see him in Highbury. There is muchgossip about the congratulatory letterthat Frank has written to Mrs.Weston, in which he promises tofinally visit.

The reputation of Frank precedes hisphysical introduction to Highbury.Though only Mr. Weston has met him,the village’s adoring adoption of this highsociety Churchill highlights the influenceof social class in the community; it notonly predisposes the community to likehim, but also to forget and forgive hislack of any physical visits despite hisletters.

CHAPTER 3Mr. Woodhouse enjoys small eveningparties that Emma arranges with theirneighborhood friends, preferringthem to large gatherings because ofhis nervous disposition. Among theirinner circle are the Westons, Mr.Knightley, and Mr. Elton. Theirsecond set includes the widow Mrs.Bates and her plain daughter, MissBates. Miss Bates is single, middle-class, and middle-aged, yet herpleasant and chatty nature make herwell-liked despite thesedisadvantages. Miss Goddard, aschoolmistress, is also included in thissecond set.

Social class is central to the relationshipsin the novel. Those at the top of thehierarchy dictate the invitations. TheWoodhouses’ inner circle consists ofpeople who share either comparablelevels of wealth and familial prestige, orwho have long-standing ties of affection.Their second circle consists of a moremiscellaneous and subservient group ofwomen who are always ready to accepttheir invitations.

Emma invites these friends to dinewith them one evening. Miss Goddardbrings Harriet Smith, one of herboarders with unknown parentage.Emma takes an immediate liking toHarriet because of the girl’s sweet-looking beauty, her pleasantdemeanor, and her admiration forEmma herself. Emma decides to adoptHarriet as her little friend in a spirit ofgood will and vanity, resolving tointroduce Harriet to high society andto improve her opinions and manners.

Just as the high class Emma controlswho is invited to their estate, she alsohas the prerogative to initiate friendshipswith those of lower class. Emma’sdecision to take Harriet under her wing isinfluenced by both charity andvanity—she wants to help Harriet, andshe likes to see herself as someone willingto help a lower class woman—which aretwo traits connected to the privilege ofher high class and to Emma's ownpersonal character.

CHAPTER 4Emma and Harriet develop theirfriendship, as Harriet comes toreplace Mrs. Weston as Emma’sconstant companion. Harriet is notclever, but her docile and gratefuldisposition appeals to Emma’s vanityand suits her desire to improveHarriet.

Emma’s friendship with Harriet is rootednot only in a mutual enjoyment of eachother’s company but also inequality:Emma is Harriet’s superior in social class,education, and wealth.

Emma learns with amusement andthen alarm that Harriet has beenspending much of her time with theMartins, a family of farmers. Emmaworries that Mr. Martin and Harrietmay develop feelings for each otherand marry, placing her friend in whatEmma considers to be an unfavorablealliance. She subtly directs Harriet’sattention to Mr. Martin’s inferioreducation and social standing,suggesting that Mr. Martin is of a classthat Emma herself has nothing to dowith: he is well-off enough to be aboveher charity, even as he is below hersocial attention as a farmer.

Despite possessing a charitable nature,Emma reveals her snobbishness in herdisdain for the Martins. She ostensiblywants what is best for her friend, Harriet,but in doing so she imposes her owntaste—what would make Emmahappy—upon Harriet. Emma subtlyprods and influences Harriet to adopther attitude for the lower classes andconsider Mr. Martin below her.

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When Emma and Harriet encounterMr. Martin on a walk, Emma assesseshim as plain and ungentlemanly. Sheencourages Harriet to compare himwith the other gentlemen that Emmahas introduced to Harriet. Inparticular, she hastens to bring Mr.Elton to Harriet’s attention. Emmahas already begun to devise a match inher mind between the two of them.She believes Mr. Elton to be anexcellent match for Harriet as arespectable and well-educatedgentleman.

Emma’s central critique of Mr. Martin’s“lack of gentility” is based on his socialclass and “coarser” manners, as opposedto any real character defects. Yet forEmma, class and character are almostinextricable in her mind: Mr. Martin’sentire person is inferior to Mr. Eltonbecause he is from a lower class.

CHAPTER 5Mr. Knightley and Mrs. Westondiscuss the friendship developingbetween Emma and Harriet. Mr.Knightley believes that Harriet’sadmiration and ignorance will increaseEmma’s vanity and self-assuredness,while Emma’s refinement will renderHarriet just polished enough to feeluncomfortable with her owncircumstances and society.

Mr. Knightley continues to reveal hisability to both care for and critiqueEmma. He provides a counterpoint toEmma’s own perspective, and thenarrative and other characters affirm hisgood judgment and reliability.

Mrs. Weston disagrees. She believesthat Harriet will provide thecompanionship that Emma currentlylacks, and that Emma will indeededucate Harriet in books and taste.

The good-natured Mrs. Weston can findno fault in Emma's friendships, and, likeEmma’s father, she adopts Emma’s ownperspective.

In the course of their conversation,Mr. Knightley also observes thatEmma has been spoiled by being thecleverest in her family, as well as themistress of the house from an earlyage. Mrs. Weston, in her turn,remarks on her beauty, which Mr.Knightley agrees he can find no faultwith.

Mr. Knightley confirms the effect ofEmma’s upbringing and her adoringgoverness in spoiling Emma. The onlydimension of Emma that Mr. Knightleyfinds flawless is her physical beauty.

Mrs. Weston and Mr. Knightleyamiably agree to disagree on thesubject of Emma and Harriet, and Mr.Knightley agrees to refrain fromspreading his objections to Harrietand Emma’s friendship.

Though Mr. Knightley and Mrs. Westonboth desire the best for Emma, theypossess different views of what she needsto develop as a person.

The two muse on what will become ofEmma. Mr. Knightley believes that itwill do Emma good to be in love, and“in some doubt of a return.” Both,however, believe that it is unlikelyEmma will become attached toanyone as she rarely leaves her home,and her marriage would present greatdifficulties to her father.

Just as Emma feels no lack in her life ofinfluential and privileged singleness,neither Mr. Knightley nor Mrs. Westonforesee the independent and self-assuredEmma falling in love with anyone in theneighborhood.

CHAPTER 6Emma continues to speak highly ofMr. Elton to Harriet, even as shecompliments Harriet’s natural gracesin conversation with Mr. Elton. Mr.Elton warmly praises the qualities thatHarriet has cultivated through herfriendship with Emma, and whenEmma expresses a desire to paintHarriet’s portrait, Mr. Elton quicklysupports the idea.

The dialogue between Emma and Mr.Elton is loaded with compliments thatEmma interprets to be directed towardsHarriet, but the reader can alternativelyinterpret them to be aimed towardsEmma herself.

Emma undertakes Harriet’s portrait,and Mr. Elton avidly marks itsprocess—as would be fitting, Emmanotes, for Harriet’s admirer. WhenMrs. Weston and Mr. Knightleysuggest that Emma has made Harrietmore beautiful in her portrait, Mr.Elton heatedly defends the portrait’slikeness.

Emma continues to smugly interpret Mr.Elton’s flattery as evidence that he isfalling in love with Harriet. She sees whatshe wants to, oblivious to anyinterpretations that contradict herdesires.

Mr. Elton gallantly offers to take theportrait, which he declares a “preciousdeposit,” for framing in London. Emmacontentedly reflects that he will suitHarriet perfectly, though hislanguishing air and flattery would betoo much for she herself to endure.

Emma’s confidence in her good judgmentand match-making skills steers herperception—and misperception—of theworld.

CHAPTER 7Harriet arrives at Hartfield flusteredand pleased; she has received amarriage proposal from Mr. Martin byletter and come to seek Emma’sadvice. Emma is surprised by howwell-written the letter is andsomewhat snidely supposes that oneof Mr. Martin’s sisters helped himwrite it.

Harriet reveals the extent of herdependency on Emma’s judgment, whichfurther reinforces Emma's vanity.Meanwhile, Emma more deeply revealsthe extent of her biases against thefarmer class to which Mr. Martinbelongs.

Emma behaves as though it is a giventhat Harriet will reject Mr. Martin andadvises her to decline him promptly,unequivocally, and gratefully. WhenHarriet reveals that he is uncertainabout her feelings towards her suitor,Emma feigns surprise. She at firstdeclares she will not influence adecision that Harriet must make forherself, but then eventually startsgently guiding her friend to considerthose candidates she considers to bemore eligible.

Despite her ostensibly good intentionsand affection for her friend, Emma willnot allow her friend to make her owndecisions about what will make herhappiest. Instead, Emma cannot stopherself from manipulating Harriet intoadopting her—Emma's—ownpreferences.

Harriet rather uncertainly suggeststhat she will reject Mr. Martin; Emmaimmediately applauds her decision,and she declares that if Harriet hadmarried him they would no longer beable to be friends. Harriet is horrifiedat the prospect that she could havelost Emma’s friendship.

Emma’s support and friendship isrevealed to be conditional upon herfriend following Emma’s own opinions, asshe makes it clear that they could nothave been friends if Harriet had chosento marry Mr. Martin, a farmer.

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The two rejoice over Harriet’s narrowescape, though Harriet continues todefend Mr. Martin’s amiability andgoodness. Emma then proceeds toguide every sentence of Harriet’sreply letter, even as Emma insists thather assistance is unnecessary.

Harriet’s loyal but somewhat blindfollowing of Emma reveals both her weakwill and the basis of their friendship ininequality: it works only so long asHarriet remains subservient to Emma’swill.

Emma congratulates herself on savingHarriet, though the latter remainssomewhat despondent over the entireaffair. However, Emma cheers herfriend by reminding her of Mr. Elton’swarm regard.

Emma’s self-assurance that she has doneright, despite her friend’s unhappiness, isrooted in her belief in the superiority ofher judgment and feelings.

CHAPTER 8Harriet continues to spend more andmore time at Hartfield with Emma.Mr. Knightley visits while Harriet isout, and he reveals that Mr. Martinasked for his advice regarding hisdesire to marry Harriet. Mr. Knightleygave his full support to the match andanticipates Emma will celebrate thenews with him as good for Harriet.

Mr. Knightley again enters the text as acounter perspective to Emma’s: unlikeEmma, who views Mr. Martin asHarriet’s unequal, he views the matchbetween Mr. Martin and Harriet to bevery desirable—particularly as marriagewill provide good prospects for Harriet.

Emma, with some amusement, shareswith Mr. Knightley that Harriet hasalready refused Mr. Martin. Mr.Knightley reacts with shock anddispleasure, immediately guessingEmma’s role in the rejection. Heinsists that Emma has done her frienda disservice, as the advantage of thematch was all Harriet’s: Mr. Martinpossesses superior sense and “truegentility,” while Harriet’s only virtuesare her prettiness and good temper.He continues that with Harriet’suncertain birth, inferior nature, andlack of education, she would havebeen lucky to marry Mr. Martin.

Emma’s delight in her more intimateknowledge of the affair is quicklydampened by Mr. Knightley’s accurateassessment that her knowledge stemsfrom her interference. For the first timewe see his anger in the real damage thatEmma has done to two individuals—oneof whom she calls her friend. Mr.Knightley also reveals a more nuanced,character-based understanding of “truegentility” in comparison to Emma’ssuperficial class-based snobbery.

Emma heatedly counters that Mr.Martin is not her friend’s equal as afarmer, as Harriet may yet be thedaughter of a gentleman; in addition,her good temper and looks are highlydesirable female traits to men. Mr.Knightley points out Harriet hasgrown up in Mrs. Goddard’s inferiorcircle of society, and she was perfectlycontent with it until Emma befriendedher and filled her mind with scorn andambition beyond her set.

Emma maintains that Harriet is rightto—and has the right to—refuse a farmer,pointing out that the superficial qualitiesof good temper and looks are in fact veryimportant to most men. However, Mr.Knightley remains convinced that Emmahas damaged her friend’s prospects andcharacter.

Mr. Knightley guesses that Emma hasin mind a match between Harriet andMr. Elton, and he informs her that Mr.Elton would never marry a womanwithout money. Mr. Knightley departsdisappointed and vexed. Despitebelieving herself to be right about“female right and refinement,” Emmais left distressed and uncertain.However, she is comforted whenHarriet returns with the cheerfulreport that Mr. Elton has declaredhimself on an important errandinvolving a special lady.

Mr. Knightley accurately perceivesEmma’s ambitions for Harriet andattempts to disillusion her. Though Mr.Knightley and Emma both stubbornlyhold that they are right, Mr. Knightley’sintervention into Emma’s perspectiveleaves the reader suspecting Emma’smisplaced vanity as the driver of hermatchmaking.

CHAPTER 9Emma’s efforts to improve Harriet’smind with reading make littleheadway, but the two enjoy collectingriddles in a book. Emma asks Mr. Eltonto compose one for them, and Mr.Elton returns with a riddle whoseanswer is “COURTSHIP.” Emmadecodes this romantic hint for the lessquick-witted Harriet, who is happilyflustered.

Despite Emma’s proclaimedimprovement of Harriet, she contributeslittle to Harriet’s intellectual education.Emma prefers the excitement of “helpingher friend” by matchmaking.

Mr. Woodhouse and Emma discussthe visit of Isabella’s family atChristmas. During the course of theconversation, Mr. Woodhouse againsighs over “poor Isabella” who is sooften forced away from Hartfield andfrets over her children’s rough-housing with their uncle. Emma gentlyreminds her father that Isabellahappily prefers her husband’scompany, and that her children delightin being tossed about.

Mr. Woodhouse again comically revealshis tendency to impose his ownsensitivity and preferences upon others,which skew his perceptions. Ironically,although Emma corrects her father’smisperceptions, she remains blind to herown tendency to see the world as shedesires.

When Mr. Elton visits later in theevening, Emma discerns hisconsciousness at having put himselfforward. She shows him that theyhave decoded his admirable riddle andaccepted it into Harriet’s book, towhich he responds with great emotionthat he is deeply honored.

Despite Emma's nuanced reading of Mr.Elton and ability to solve his “riddle,” sheremains blind to the true interpretationunderlying his actions and unwittinglyencourages his attentions towardsherself.

CHAPTER 10In mid-December, Emma and Harrietmake a charitable visit to a poor andsick family near Mr. Elton’s vicarage.Harriet wonders that Emma remainssingle despite her charms, and Emmaexplains that she has no need tomarry, and unless she should fall inlove, it would be a mistake to marry.

Emma has none of “the usualinducements of women to marry”because of her high position in societyand fortune. Implied is the reality ofgender inequality in Austen’s era, inwhich women must marry to gainfinancial security.

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When Harriet frets that Emma willbecome an old maid like Miss Bates,Emma scornfully insists that the onlything she and Miss Bates could evershare in common is their singleness:Miss Bates is silly, ignorant, gossipy,and poor. Emma insists that there isno disadvantage in being an old maidexcept if you are poor, which renderscelibacy contemptible to society.

Emma’s strong will and independenceare unusual for a woman in her era, andin this sense she is a remarkable heroinefor gender equality. Yet her self-assurance stems from her financialsecurity, which reveals the socialinequality: Emma’s ability to avoidmarriage is dependent on her wealth.

The two women proceed to assist theimpoverished family with greatdedication, and they leave filled withcompassion for the poor. When Mr.Elton runs into them as they returnhome, Emma attempts to give himtime alone with Harriet by variousmeans—stopping to tie her shoe,taking a different path, pausing at thevicarage for a shoelace—but to noavail. Emma is disappointed that Mr.Elton does not declare his love forHarriet, but she assumes he willpropose soon enough.

Emma’s charity reveals a favorable facetof compassion in her character, but it isone that is quickly superseded by hermatchmaking schemes. She becomesimmediately absorbed by her ambitionsfor Mr. Elton and Harriet, and theremainder of the chapter is dedicated toher elaborate, comical attempts toenable his proposal.

CHAPTER 11Emma’s attention is taken up by Mr.John Knightley and Isabella’s visit toHartfield. Isabella is an affectionateand obedient wife, who takes after herfather’s nervous disposition. Mr. JohnKnightley is respectable andgentlemanly, but reserved and oftenimpatient with Mr. Woodhouse andhis daughter’s sensitivity.

Mr. John Knightley is spoiled by Isabella’sadoration, resulting in an inequality intheir temperament within their maritaldynamic: Emma finds Mr. John Knightleylacking in respect for her father, Isabella,and their children.

Isabella commiserates with Mr.Woodhouse’s grief over Mrs.Weston’s departure. Emma and Mr.John Knightley gently moderate theirdramatization of the situation withreminders that Mrs. Weston visitsfrequently and is happily married.

Isabella takes after her father’s weaknerves, supporting Mr. Knightley’s pointthat Emma is partially spoiled by hersuperior sense and intellect incomparison to the rest of her family.

Mr. John Knightley asks after FrankChurchill, and Emma replies that theexpectation of his visit has ended innothing. Frank’s letter is praised again,and Mr. John Knightley and Isabellaspeculate about the relationshipbetween Mr. Weston and his son.

Rumor plays a great role in reputation, aswe are first introduced to characters likeJane Fairfax and Frank Churchill byothers’ perceptions—andmisperceptions—of them.

CHAPTER 12Mr. Knightley finds Emma playingwith her niece one evening duringIsabella’s visit, and she attempts torestore their friendship. He insiststhat his sixteen years of seniority andthe advantage of not being a spoiled,pretty young woman have given himsuperior understanding. The tworeconcile without either concedingthe other’s right.

The novel walks a tension betweensupporting Emma and her unusualindependence as a female protagonistand critiquing her privileged prejudicethrough Mr. Knightley, who is a figure ofpaternal correction and is more oftenthan not right.

Mr. Woodhouse and Isabella debatethe merits of their favored physicians,Mr. Perry and Mr. Wingfieldrespectively. Isabella asks after JaneFairfax, Miss Bates’s niece,suggesting that she will make anamiable companion for Emma. Emma,however, is not fond of theaccomplished and beautiful Jane; shefinds all the attention and admirationgenerally given to Jane irksome.

Fidgety, foolish characters, like Mr.Woodhouse and Isabella, who have noreal evil in them, compose much of thecomedy in Austen. We are alsointroduced to others’ favorableimpressions of Jane Fairfax in contrast toEmma’s perception of Jane as irritatingand dull.

Mr. Woodhouse recommends thatIsabella and Mrs. Mr. John Knightleyswitch their vacation spot accordingto Mr. Perry’s advice, and Mr. JohnKnightley loses his temper at the oldman’s nervous interference. Mr.Knightley deftly changes the subjectto less passionate matters, andIsabella and Emma gradually sootheaway their father’s distress.

Though Mr. Woodhouse has no malice inhis fussiness, Mr. John Knightley losespatience at his attempt to impose hispreferences on others. Emma, thoughmore sophisticated and sensible than herfather, also exhibits this tendency tomold the world to her liking.

CHAPTER 13The Westons throw a Christmas Evedinner party for their friends. Harriet,however, falls ill and cannot attend.Emma goes to see Harriet before theparty and runs into Mr. Elton duringher visit. He expresses much alarm ather friend’s sickness. Emma suggeststhat he skip the party in the hopesthat he will spend the evening withHarriet, but to her surprise hechooses to attend with great zest.

Much of the drama in Austen’s novelrevolves around the social functions thatprovide the setting for nuancedcharacter interactions. Emma cannotproperly read the nuances of Mr. Elton’sbehavior, because she is blinded by herperception of him as Harriet’s lover.

Mr. John Knightley suspects that Mr.Elton is romantically interested inEmma and warns her accordingly.Emma laughingly dismisses thenotion. She is mildly offended that herbrother-in-law suspects her in need ofadvice, and she muses on the ignorantblunders that “people of highpretensions to judgment are for everfalling into.”

Despite his distance from the situation,Mr. John Knightley sees that Mr. Elton iswooing Emma. There is great irony in thefact that an outside, visiting observer canmore accurately interpret the situationthan Emma, who is intimately involved.In this case, her amused, disdainfulassessment of Mr. John Knightley’s“pretensions to judgment” ironicallybetter describe Emma, not him.

When Emma travels to the party in acarriage with Mr. Elton, they discussHarriet’s sickness. Emma isincreasingly astonished by his lack ofconcern for Harriet and hisenthusiastic anticipation of theevening.

Austen begins to set the stage forEmma’s unpleasant revelation regardingMr. Elton’s true feelings, as even Emmacan no longer interpret his actionsaccording to her desires.

CHAPTER 14Upon their arrival at the Westons, Mr.Elton attentively shadows Emma, toher continued dismay. She begins tosuspect that Mr. John Knightley maybe right about his interest in her.Despite her alarm and vexation at Mr.Elton, she strives to remain civil andladylike.

The sense of comedy that unfolds as Mr.Elton obsequiously hovers over Emmabelies the real harm of the situation.Though Emma may experience onlyirritation, Harriet’s heart and future is atstake—because of Emma's meddling.

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Emma overhears Mr. Westonannounce an upcoming visit from hisson, Frank Churchill. She listens withgreat curiosity, as in spite of herresolution to remain celibate, she hasoften thought that Frank would be aperfect match for her in age,character, and condition—particularlygiven their close connection throughthe Westons—if she were to considermarriage. Thus, she takes an activeinterest in his affairs and evenanticipates a possible dalliance.

For the first time, we see Emma’simagination at work regarding a matchfor herself. Her mind works with thesame fancy, vanity, and socialconsiderations as she does with the othermatches: she assesses their connections,age, social class, and accomplishments inconcluding that they are suitable foreach other.

Mr. Weston mentions to Emma thatMrs. Weston suspects that Frank’svisit will be put off once more,because his son is so dependent uponthe ill-tempered and snobbish Mrs.Churchill’s favor. Mrs. Westonconfides her own worries to Emma:she cannot bear to think Frank atfault, and so she is sure that theChurchills strive to keep him forthemselves and object to the visit.

The situation at Enscombe, theChurchills’ estate, reveals the potentialdependency of even a “well-off” younggentleman on his guardians’ support. Atthe same time, we observe the Westons’determined inability to read anypotential flaws in Frank, as they blameall of his delays on Mrs. Churchill.

Emma puzzles over how a youngman—particularly one who is such afavorite—should find himself soconstrained from visiting his father,though she can conceive of a youngwoman being powerless under herguardians’ sway. Mrs. Weston,however, insists that Mrs. Churchill isso unreasonable that one cannotjudge Frank for his delay.

With sharp insight, Emma understandsthe constraints of young ladies to decidetheir futures, but she feels thatsomething is lacking in explanation orcharacter regarding a young man sodependent on his guardian. Here, as inother cases in the novel, we see thatthose outside the situation may perceiveit more objectively than those intimatelyinvolved.

CHAPTER 15At the party, Mr. Elton continues tohover around Emma. He irritates herby expressing greater concernregarding Harriet’s sickness forEmma's sake rather than her friend’s.She finds his behavior offensive andpresumptuous.

Emma finds Mr. Elton’s attentions to herpresumptuous and upsetting: he is nother equal, and his behavior disturbs hermatchmaking fantasy for Harriet.

Mr. John Knightley announces thatthe heavy snow will soon make itimpossible to travel. Mr. Woodhouseand Isabella are horrified at theprospect of traversing through thestorm. The party quickly breaks up,with Mr. Woodhouse, Isabella, and Mr.John Knightley in one carriage, andEmma followed into another by Mr.Elton.

Mr. Woodhouse and Isabella’s sensitivityto the slightest disturbancesdemonstrates how sheltered they are ashigh-class individuals. They have littleconception of real disasters and fret overany changes to their everyday routines.

To Emma’s horror, once they are alonein the carriage, Mr. Elton immediatelyproceeds to declare his love for herwith extravagant language, andproposes. Emma assumes he must bedrunk, and she reminds him of his lovefor Harriet. Mr. Elton responds withgreat surprise, and Emma loses hertemper at his inconstancy andpresumption.

To the very end, Emma is unable to seethe obvious: even when Mr. Elton revealshis intentions towards her, she assumesher prior perception of his attentions wasaccurate, and that he must be drunk andinconstant.

Mr. Elton insists that he has beeninterested in Emma all along, and thatHarriet has never even crossed hismind. He insinuates that Emmacannot seriously have doubted him,and that she has long known of andencouraged his intentions.

Just as Emma has been interpreting Mr.Elton’s behavior according to her fancy,he has been reading her encouragementaccording to his desires.

When the extent of theirmisunderstanding becomes clear, Mr.Elton is in turn offended that Emmashould pair him with Harriet, whomhe believes below him. Emma deniesthat she has given him anyencouragement and firmly rejects him.They travel the rest of the way insilence, both greatly angry andoffended.

Mr. Elton dismisses Harriet for the samereasons that Emma desire that Harrietdismiss Mr. Martin: he believes her to beof an inferior social class. Just as Emmatakes offense at his presumption inproposing to her, he takes offense at herpresumption in pairing him with Harriet.

CHAPTER 16Full of pain and humiliation, Emmamiserably reflects on the situationwith Mr. Elton. In addition to hermortification at her mistake, she isthrown into confusion about how tore-evaluate the events of the previousweeks. However, she feels worstabout the blow to Harriet, whosefeelings she knows she encouragedtowards Mr. Elton. Emma reflects thatshe would gladly have sufferedgreater humiliation and discomfort ifshe could only lessen the hurt forHarriet.

The vast majority of the chapter isdevoted to Emma’s self-reflection andremorse, a remarkable turning point forthe proud protagonist. Forced to realizeher error, we see more selfless thoughtsdeveloping: she would gladly endure agreater blow to her pride if she couldlessen Harriet’s potential heartbreak,which she feelingly takes responsibilityfor.

Emma feels little sympathy for Mr.Elton, whose showy displays of loveshe believes to be insincere. He sinksin her opinion as a man conceited,insensitive, and ambitious; she is surethat he has no real love for her, and hisinterest is only in marrying a wealthyheiress. She is doubly provoked thathe is so sensible to the gradations ofrank below him regarding Harriet, andso blind to those above as to believehim equal to Emma, whose wealth,family, and talents are greatlysuperior.

Emma’s assessment of Mr. Elton doesher less credit, as she is most offended byhis presumption—both in believing herfriend so below him, but also in believinghim to be Emma's equal. Her readydismissal of his feelings may be justified,as she realizes his arrogance andaffectation, but she is at least in partresponsible for his mistaken perception.

However, Emma pauses to reflect onher own responsibility for Mr. Elton’smistake. She reflects that her ownbehavior has been so pleasant andattentive to Mr. Elton for Harriet’ssake that she can understand hismisperception. She admits that if shehas so misinterpreted him, she canhardly wonder that he, blinded by self-interest, has also mistaken her.

Emma reveals her ability to grow, as shepossesses the intention and integrity toattempt a fair evaluation of herself andothers. Though she, like Mr. Elton, is fullof her own claims, she acknowledgesthat their misperceptions have bothresulted from self-interest.

Emma concludes that she has beenassuming and foolish in her attempt tomake matches, “making light of whatought to be serious.” Ashamed, sheresolves to never match makeagain—though she catches herselfthinking up another suitor for Harrieta moment later.

Emma learns from her mistake, but wefind that she has still more to learn. Sherelapses into her matchmaking fantasiesalmost immediately after resolving toabstain from them.

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CHAPTER 17Mr. John Knightley and Isabelladepart from Hartfield, despite Mr.Woodhouse’s attempt to persuade“poor Isabella” to remain behind. Thenarrator reflects that “poor Isabella,”whose life revolves around doting onher family, is in fact a model of “rightfeminine happiness.”

Though Mr. Woodhouse’s projection ofhis own sadness at Isabella's having lefthim onto Isabella, who is happily marriedto a wealthy man, is comical, the humoralso reflects the confines for women inAusten’s era—the luckiest of whose livesoften revolved solely around husbandand children.

Mr. Elton sends a very formal, coldletter to Mr. Woodhouse—completelyignoring any address toEmma—announcing his departure forseveral weeks to Bath. Grateful for hisabsence, Emma resolves to break thedreadful news to Harriet immediately,to give her as much time as possible torecover before he returns.

The complete change in Mr. Elton’smanner towards Emma reveals hisresentment and lack of grace in the faceof her rejection. It will later be contrastedby Mr. Martin’s gracious treatment ofHarriet in spite of her rejection, onceagain raising the question of whatcomprises "class" and "manners."

Harriet responds with unaffectedtears, and Emma admires her humilityand grace in receiving the news.Harriet blames no one; she continuesto believe Mr. Elton “all perfection”and Emma faultless.

In a reversal of her previous manner ofthinking, Emma acknowledges Harriet’ssuperiority in responding to the messthat Emma has made.

Emma leaves feeling humbled, andshe strives to find a better way to helpher friend than matchmaking. Shemoves Harriet to Hartfield for theremainder of her emotional recoveryand attempts to comfort and distracther from thoughts of Mr. Elton. Emmaanticipates the awkwardnessHarriet’s encounter with Mr. Eltonupon his return, an inevitability intheir confined social circles, and sheattempts to prepare Harrietaccordingly.

Emma demonstrates real disinterestedkindness and remorse towards her friend.She knows, better than Harriet, Mr.Elton’s flaws and the unfolding socialsituation. She anticipates his comingcoldness towards Harriet, and sheattempts to prepare her friend for thepains of their next encounter with him.

CHAPTER 18Mrs. Weston’s fears are realized asFrank Churchill fails to visit, sendinganother letter of excuse. Emmasympathizes with and tries to easeMrs. Weston's disappointment.

Frank’s repeated substitution of hispresence with letters continues themystery surrounding his character, whileraising questions about the sincerity ofhis elaborately written regrets.

When, later, Emma ratherdisingenuously exclaims to Mr.Knightley about the Churchills’ faultfor disappointing the Westons, Mr.Knightley voices her previoussentiment: a young man should not beso restricted by his guardians. Hesuspects that Frank could come if heliked in spite of the Churchills’ wishes,but is not because of his ownindifference towards his lowerconnections.

Mr. Knightley and Emma’s sensibilityallows them to note the strangeness ofFrank’s inability to visit, but Mr.Knightley comes down with far greatercondemnation for the young man. Hebelieves every man’s duty must becarried out with resolution and vigor.

Emma counters that Mr. Knightleyhas never known dependency andcannot judge it; others are restrictedby their family obligations andparental tempers. Mr. Knightleyinsists that a sensible man can—andshould—always do his duty throughvigor and resolution. Mr. Knightleydeclares that Frank’s fancy letters areexcuses from doing what is right. Hefinds them disgusting and anticipatesthat their writer is likely to bepretentious and insufferable.

Emma’s counterargument reveals herown female insight into dependency; as awoman, she is restricted by family andupbringing in ways that Mr. Knightleyhas never experienced and has littlesympathy with. Though we are used toMr. Knightley’s superiority of judgment,here Emma’s perspective reveals agreater sensitivity to the restrictionsothers may face.

Emma anticipates that Frank will becharming and to everyone’s taste. Sheconcludes that they are bothprejudiced, she for him, and Mr.Knightley against him. Mr. Knightleyheatedly and unconvincingly deniesany prejudice. Emma remainsbewildered by Mr. Knightley’sunfounded dislike towards Frank, asshe believes he possesses a fair andliberal mind.

For the first time, Mr. Knightley’sjudgment appears more prejudiced thanEmma’s. His denial of any prejudice andEmma’s ready acknowledgement of herown reverses the usual pattern of theirself-awareness in favor of Emma.

CHAPTER 19On a walk with Harriet, Emmadecides to call on the Bateses. Thoughshe dislikes visiting them because theyare tedious and keep “second andthird rate” company, Mr. Knightleyand her own conscience have oftensuggested that she call on them moreoften, as such visits are the greatest oftheir limited pleasures.

Though Emma has the sense and heartto know what is good, she is loath tosacrifice her own enjoyment for the sakeof others. She does, however, possess adeveloping impulse of self-correction,aided by Mr. Knightley.

The garrulous Miss Bates pours forthsolicitous inquiries and gossip aboutthe town, mentioning the Coles,flattering Mr. Elton, and finallybringing up a letter from her nieceJane Fairfax. Orphaned at a youngage, Jane lives with her guardiansColonel and Mrs. Campbell and is agreat favorite within the community.Emma is determinedly polite as MissBates dotingly rambles on about Jane,despite finding Miss Bates silly anddisliking Jane.

Miss Bates is considered by critics to be amasterpiece of comedy, as a foolish andgossipy spinster. Yet there is somethingalso pitiable and sympathetic in theconfinement of her life, which revolvesaround living with her mother andchatting about her small social set. Herability to be easily cheered within herlimitations is even admirable.

Miss Bates reports that Jane will bevisiting Highbury next week, as theCampbells are leaving for Ireland tovisit their newly married daughter andher husband, Mr. Dixon. Emma,fancifully weaving together innocentdetails from the narrative, suspects aprevious romance between Jane andMr. Dixon that prevents her fromvisiting Ireland with the Campbells.

Though Emma has sworn offmatchmaking, her imagination is stillactive in spinning together intriguingromances and perceiving the worldthrough her fancy. In the innocentchatter of Miss Bates, she manages tohear—to manufacture—a story of hiddenlove.

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CHAPTER 20After the death of Jane’s father inbattle and her mother from grief atthe age of three, Jane was raised byMrs. Bates and Miss Bates inHighbury. Several years later, ColonelCampbell, a friend of her father’s,took her into his family, where shebecame much beloved. This gave herthe opportunity for a superioreducation, which is particularly criticalas she will have insufficientinheritance for independence andmust become a governess or marrywell. She grows into a fine young ladyalongside the Campbells’s owndaughter, Miss Campbell, in goodsociety.

As an orphan, Jane is dependent on thegood graces of others. Had she not beentaken in by her father’s friend, she wouldhave remained in poverty and ignorancecomparable to Miss Bates—and,perhaps, met a similar fate as the rathersilly spinster. With education, she gainsthe talents and grace that might makeher attractive to a husband. At the least,education gives her the opportunity foremployment, which offers theopportunity for moderate financialsecurity in a socially acceptable position.

With Miss Campbell recently marriedto Mr. Dixon, Jane anticipates hertime with the Campbells drawing to aclose. She has resolved at the age oftwenty-one to seek a position asgoverness, and she desires to spendher remaining months of freedomwith her kind relations in Highburywho love her so dearly.

Jane reveals her responsible and un-pretentious nature, as she readilyprepares to remove herself from herguardians’ charity, giving up her lifeamong high society to make her own wayin the world.

Emma dreads her duty of calling onJane, though she cannot quite find herown reasons for dislike justifiable:Jane’s coldness and reserve, Jane'saunt’s annoying chattiness, and thegeneral fuss made over Jane. Mr.Knightley has suggested Emmadislikes Jane because Jane embodiesall the accomplishment and elegancethat Emma would like to be attributedto herself. Though Emma denies this,she feels a sense of guilt every timeshe sees Jane.

As with Frank, we meet Jane firstthrough the impressions of others. Bynow we are accustomed to findingEmma’s perspective biased by vanity andfancy and Mr. Knightley’s sensible anddiscerning. Mr. Knightley's observationshere set up Jane, another comparablyaccomplished and admired youngwoman, as a foil or rival for Emma.

When Emma encounters Jane thistime, she admires her remarkableelegance and beauty. Emma feelscompassion, too, for her impendingpoverty. However, Emma eventuallyrelapses into her old dislike on Jane’snext visit, as Emma finds Miss Batestiresome, Jane overpraised, and Jane’smanner “disgustingly . . . suspiciouslyreserved.” Emma is also disappointedthat Jane will speak little of either Mr.Dixon or Frank Churchill, the latter ofwhom Jane encountered atWeymouth.

Emma is a constant work in progress, asshe attempts to evaluate Jane fairly. Yeteven after generously admiring Jane attheir first reunion, she slips irresistiblyinto the same petty judgments andbiases against Jane. Emma’s reasons fordislike remain shallow and motivated byher own fancy, as Jane’s greatest fault isher reserve and the admiration shedraws from others.

CHAPTER 21Mr. Knightley visits the next morningto congratulate Emma on herimprovement in manner towardsJane, only to discover that herdistaste remains intact. The Batesesbursts into the room to thank theWoodhouses for a gift of pork andreport that Mr. Elton is going to bemarried to a Miss Hawkins. Theychatter for a while and then depart.

Mr. Knightley’s constant challenging ofEmma’s character reveals his attentiveinterest in her development; yet despitehis critiques of Emma, he faithfullybelieves in her goodness andimprovement.

Emma is pleased with thisconfirmation of the shallowness of Mr.Elton’s professed love for her, but sheis sorry for Harriet. Emma resolves toinform Harriet as soon as possible, tosave her from hearing it frominsensitive sources.

Despite the harm Emma hasinadvertently done to Harriet, shepossesses real feeling and concern for herfriend’s welfare and attempts to beactive in its protection.

A flustered Harriet arrives atHartfield; she has just run into Mr.Martin and his sister in town. Harrietfelt very miserably trapped uponseeing them, but after the initialawkwardness both brother and sisterapproached her with great kindness.Harriet trembles with gratitude at thegoodness of their behavior, which shepoints out with pleasure to Emma.

In spite of her weakness and dependencyupon Emma, Harriet has a grateful andhumble heart that recognizes theMartins’s kindness and is wretched overwronging them. She is quick to admirethe merits of others, with no inflatedsense of her own.

Emma is unsettled, as she considersthe good-hearted Martins. She feelssome discomfort at her own judgmentof them. However, she concludes thatthe evils of their low connections aremore important, that she was right toprotect Harriet from them, and shedismisses the affair.

Emma’s good sense recognizes theMartins’s remarkable kindness, but shecannot move past her snobbishassessment of their unworthiness due totheir class.

Harriet, however, cannot stopthinking about the Martins, so Emmafinally shares the news regarding Mr.Elton’s engagement to distract her.Harriet’s interest in Mr. Eltonsupersedes her turmoil over theMartins. Emma rests comforted bythe fact that Harriet will now beforever safe from the Martins,altogether dismissing the significanceof their enduring kindness towardsher friend.

Emma easily manipulates the malleableHarriet, whose shifting attentions reveala lack of conviction within her heart.However, Emma’s excessive self-assurance reveals thatconviction—particularly when it ismisplaced—may be an even greater evil,as she inadvertently harms the friend sheprofesses to protect.

CHAPTER 22Favorable gossip circulates in thetown about Miss Hawkins, Mr. Elton’sfiancée. Mr. Elton, having left greatlyoffended, returns to town especiallydelighted to spread reports of hisbeautiful, accomplished, and amiablebride with an independent fortune.

Mr. Elton’s pride is apparent as he quicklymoves from Emma to Miss Hawkins. Hisboasting in this second, swift successreveals his shallow sentiment and lack ofgrace.

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Emma finds Mr. Elton even lessagreeable than before with his airs ofpretension, but she is grateful that hismarriage will relieve the tension intheir relations. She is pleased to findhis bride no more well connected,though wealthier, than Harriet, inspite of Mr. Elton’s disdain and self-importance.

Ironically, much of the snobbery thatEmma finds distasteful and unfair in Mr.Elton’s assessment of Harriet applies toEmma’s own proud devaluation of MissHawkins and the Martins.

Harriet’s preoccupation with Mr.Elton continues, only to be distractedby a courteous visit from Mr. Martin’ssister. Emma encourages Harriet toreturn the visit out of civility, thoughshe ensures that Harriet will not staytoo long and re-establish intimacywith the Martins by dropping her offand picking her up.

Despite Emma’s belief that Harriet’snature is too shallow to love deeply,Harriet demonstrates a steadfast if sillyattachment. Emma continues to controlHarriet’s affairs, believing her ownjudgment to be superior to her friend’s.

CHAPTER 23Harriet’s visit with the Martins isdistressing to all parties. Just asHarriet, Mrs. Martin, and the Martinsisters begin to recover their formerfamiliarity and intimacy, Emma arrivesto retrieve Harriet. The Martinsperceive the intended slight of hervisit’s brevity, Harriet is miserable,and even Emma feels pained by theoffense she has led Harriet to inflictupon the Martins. Nonetheless, Emmabelieves that the separation betweenthe Martins and Harriet is forHarriet's own good.

Though Emma is not insensible toHarriet’s pain and regrets offending thegood-hearted Martins, her conviction ofthe Martins’ social inferiority spurs her tocontinue to “protect” Harriet from them.Harriet, for her part, is too weak-willed togo against Emma’s guidance, though sheis soft-hearted enough to feel wretchedabout the affair.

Emma and Harriet run into a cheerfulMr. and Mrs. Weston on their return,who announce that Frank Churchill isto visit the next day. Frank arrivesearly, and Emma meets him atHartfield. She finds him handsome,well bred, and charming; altogether,he meets her expectations, and sheanticipates they will become fastfriends. He knows how to makehimself agreeable and is eager toplease, generously praising Mrs.Weston to Emma’s gratification.

Frank is exactly the charming young manEmma has anticipated, though her ownbiases have been known to lead her tofind many characters to be just what sheexpects—and wants—them to be. It is tooearly, however, for even Emma to knowthe intentions that lie behind this youngman’s charm.

Emma suspects that Mr. Westonwatches eagerly for a developingattachment between herself andFrank, and Emma wonders if suchsuspicions have crossed Frank’s mindas they have hers. At the end of hisvery agreeable visit, Frank mentionsthat he will drop by the Batesresidence, to pay a visit to hisacquaintance from Weymouth, JaneFairfax.

Within the rather confined circle ofEmma’s society, marriage is oneveryone’s mind. It is perhaps the mostsignificant live event, and one thatarrests not only Emma’s too activeimagination, but also in fact everyone’sattention.

CHAPTER 24Frank and Mrs. Weston visit Hartfieldagain the next day, and Emma ispleased to observe his cordiality andattention to his stepmother. She alsoapproves of his desire to becomeacquainted with all his father’sfavorite neighborhood haunts, andwhen she later sees Mr. Knightley sheinforms him with a sense of triumphthat Frank’s prior delays could nothave been voluntary.

Emma carefully observes Frank, and theimportance she places on his treatmentof his stepmother and her friend revealsboth her loyalty and good sense.

Mrs. Weston and Emma introduceFrank to the town. When they arriveat the Crown Inn, Frank comes upwith the idea that they should host aball there. Emma protests against themixing of families from such variousranks, but the lively Frank insists thatsuch a gathering will be delightful.Emma notes with some surprise hislack of pride despite his privilegedupbringing with the Churchills.

Frank exhibits less of the snobbery thatwe witness in Emma, as he has none ofher qualms regarding the mixing of theclasses in the merriment of a ball. On theother hand, his disregard for rank in thiscase may also be interpreted as thepriority he places in pleasure overprinciple.

Frank discusses his visit with theBateses, where he encountered theinescapably chatty Miss Bates. WhenEmma asks about his impression ofJane, Frank expresses distaste for herpale complexion. Emma learns thatFrank saw much of Jane in Weymouth,as the two traveled in the same socialset. When Emma shares heradmiration of Jane’s musical talent,Frank acknowledges that their generalcompany at Weymouth—including Mr.Dixon—also thought highly of hermusical abilities.

Frank’s open, humorous report of MissBates’s chattiness parallels Emma’s ownlight-hearted remarks about the gossipyspinster. His ready distaste for Jane’scomplexion, however, is borderline rude,as even he acknowledges one cannotpolitely label a lady “ill-looking.” Heappears to share Emma’s mixture ofindifference and dislike towards Jane.

Emma laughingly probes into Mrs.Dixon’s feelings about her husband’smusical preference, hinting that Janeherself must have felt such favor to beinappropriate from a man engaged tobe married. Frank at first resistsEmma’s insinuations, but then accedesto her greater knowledge of Jane.

Despite his impression that there isnothing indecorous between Jane andMr. Dixon, he seems reluctant tocontradict and eager to humor Emma,whose superior judgment he submits to.

Emma admits that she has never beenclose to Jane because of the latter’sreserve; she has no reason to thinkpoorly of Jane, but she has never beenmotivated to persevere over Jane’sreserve and establish intimacy. Frankagreeably affirms theunattractiveness of reserved persons.

Emma’s manner of talking about Janereveals pride and privilege in her wealthof social acquaintances that she hasnever had to “persevere” to attain.

In spite of the brevity of theiracquaintance, Emma feels that sheknows Frank very well and that theythink alike. In addition, Franksurpasses her expectations by beingless spoiled and snobbish than Emmaimagined a child of fortune would be.Frank expresses contentment at Mr.Elton’s moderately sized house, whichhe believes could be comfortablyshared by any man if it were with thewoman he loved.

Frank’s lively and agreeablemanner—which is much like Emma’s owndisposition—combined with his generalaffirmation of her various opinions leadher to feel an intimacy andunderstanding of him disproportionateto the time they have spent together.Emma still tends to approve most ofthose people who agree with her.

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CHAPTER 25Emma’s high opinion of Frank isshaken when she learns that he hasdashed off to London just for ahaircut, which she feels is rather vainand extravagant. However, shedecides that he fits the honor she hasimagined for him of being a suitablematch for herself—though she stillresolves to never marry. Mr.Knightley is the only person amongtheir acquaintances who finds Franktrifling and silly.

Emma’s good sense regarding theextravagance of a day trip to London fora haircut is compromised by her vanity,as she continues to hold a high regard forFrank as the superior man she andothers have paired with her in theirminds. Knightley, however, only seesFrank to be the silly man he expected allalong.

Emma has resolved to decline anyinvitation from the Coles, a nouveau-riche family, in order to teach themtheir place. However, she feelsmortified and unhappy when all of herfriends are invited to a party and noinvitation comes to Hartfield. Whenan invitation finally arrives, Emma istempted by the prospect that all ofher friends—Mr. Knightley, theWestons, and Harriet—are attending.She asks the Westons for their adviceand decides to accept the invitation.

Emma’s feelings regarding the affair withthe Coles are rather comical, revealingboth her snobbery and vanity. Thoughshe believes the Coles below her andwants to teach them not to presume on“superior families,” she feels left out whenno invitation comes—she wants thepower to reject them—and ultimatelydecides to attend when everyone else is.

Mr. Woodhouse frets over theprospect of leaving his house for adinner party. Emma insists that he hadbetter stay home while she visits theColes, and he reluctantly agrees onthe condition that she will take allprecautions for her health on theperilous visit out.

Mr. Woodhouse is irrationally concernedabout the discomforts of a dinner out, aseveryone around him solicitously ensuresthe sheltered old man is madecomfortable—as usual.

CHAPTER 26Frank returns with his haircut, livelyand flippant about the experiences.Emma defends his behavior to Mr.Knightley, arguing that an exceptionshould be made for silly things doneby sensible people.

Emma is inconsistent in approving ordisapproving of people's actions basedon her predispositions and prejudices.

Mr. Knightley arrives at the Coles bycarriage, though he usually preferswalking. Emma approves of thischange, which she declares fits hisgentlemanly station better. Emmaanticipates a pleasurable evening atthe party, and is pleased with thespecial attention that Frank displaystoward her.

Mr. Knightley and Emma hold differentviews of what makes a gentleman, withEmma’s valuing superficial graces morethan Mr. Knightley.

Mrs. Cole shares that Jane hasreceived the surprise gift of a piano,which everyone assumes to be fromColonel Campbell. Emma, however,suspects that it is a gift from Mr.Dixon and prods Frank into agreeablysharing her suspicion. As she talkswith Frank, Emma learns more abouthim and his situation at Enscombe.Frank says he has great influence withhis aunt, and excepting one point thathe does not mention, believes he maypersuade her to anything.

Despite Emma’s resolution not to makematches for others, she continues toimagine she can to discern what otherscannot. She exercises her vanity andfancy by interpreting the gift of the pianoas support for her suspicions regardingJane and Mr. Dixon. She fails to notice,however, the inconsistencies regardingFrank’s account of his own situation atEnscombe.

Mrs. Weston informs Emma that Mr.Knightley has come in his carriage sothat he can assist Jane home. Mrs.Weston imagines a match betweenMr. Knightley and Jane, but Emmareacts violently against thesuggestion. She declares that Mr.Knightley must not marry and depriveher nephew, Henry, of inheritingDonwell Abbey; Emma feels such amatch to the impoverished Janewould be imprudent and shameful,additionally connecting Mr. Knightleyto the frivolous Miss Bates.Nonetheless, Mrs. Weston believesthe piano to be Mr. Knightley’s gift.

Emma protests when Mrs. Weston takesup her pastime of matchmaking, and shetakes particular offense at the notion ofMr. Knightley marrying at all. Why shereacts so vehemently is slightly unclear,though it appears to be a combination ofher usual snobbery regarding those withlower connections and personal concernfor her nephew’s (i.e. her sister's son)inheritance and welfare.

The guests call for musicalentertainment, and Emma leads thepiano playing with pleasure. Frankaccompanies, and then Emma resignsher place to Jane, whose talent sheacknowledges to be superior. Afterseveral songs, Mr. Knightley preventsthe company from tiring out Jane’svoice. Music is replaced by dancing,and Frank immediately asks Emma tobe his partner. Emma is relieved thatMr. Knightley does not ask Jane. Sheleaves the party happy with Frank’sfavor and reassured of Mr. Knightley’slack of romantic interest in Jane.

Music and dancing are conventionalentertainments for Austen’s society, andthey are two talents that signalaccomplishment in young ladies. As withmany of these accomplishments for theclass of genteel characters, they resultfrom a combination of talent andprivilege. Mr. Knightley's actionsdemonstrate his consideration of others,ensuring that the company’sentertainment does not take precedenceover Jane’s health.

CHAPTER 27Emma deems her delightful evening atthe Coles worth the loss in “dignifiedseclusion,” though she feels some guiltabout sharing her unfavorablesuspicions towards Jane with Frank.Reflecting on Jane’s superior musicalperformance, Emma practices piano.As she is playing Harriet arrives andapplauds her performance.

Emma’s discomfort regarding Jane stemsfrom a combination of jealousy and self-awareness; Jane holds up an unsettlingalternative vision of accomplishmentthat push Emma to improve her pianoplaying.

Harriet, with some distress, shares areport she has heard that the Coxdaughters are interested in marryingMr. Martin. Emma rather coldlydeclares the Cox family to be veryvulgar.

Emma continues to disregard all signs ofMr. Martin’s worthiness, including thegood opinion of others regarding Mr.Martin.

Emma and Harriet then go to visit theBateses, and run into Mrs. Westonand Frank in town on the way. Frankhad reminded Mrs. Weston of apromise she supposedly made to hearthe new piano, though Frank nowoffers to stay with Emma while Mrs.Weston goes on. However, MissBates soon enters the store herselfand persuades Emma and Harriet todrop by as well. After much chatteringabout all manner of things includingMr. Knightley’s gift of Jane’s favoriteapples, Miss Bates leads them back toher humble abode.

Frank’s behavior reveals certaininconsistencies regarding the Bateses.Although he professes to find visits withthem tiresome, he insists that hisstepmother and he visit them. Yet, evenafter this suggestion, Frank appearswilling to abandon the visit whenencountering Emma and Harriet in town.Meanwhile, Mr. Knightley continues toreveal a genuine kindness and charitytowards the Bateses.

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CHAPTER 28Emma finds Frank fixing Mrs. Bates’sspectacles and Jane at the piano.After Frank adjusts the piano for her,Jane plays delightfully. When Frankteases her about the mysterious gift,Emma notes Jane’s pleased blush andsuspects her to harbor inappropriatefeelings for Mr. Dixon. Nonetheless,she asks Frank to cease his teasing,which he cannot seem to resist.

The interactions between Frank, Jane,and Emma are interpreted differently byeach character. As readers, we followEmma’s misperception that Frankunkindly teases Jane about Mr. Dixonand favors Emma. However, their truerelations will eventually unravel thesemisperceptions.

Mr. Knightley stops by the house toask after Jane’s health. Mrs. Westongives Emma a knowing look, butEmma shakes her head withskepticism. When Mr. Knightley learnsthat Frank is in, he decides not to stayand continues on his way. Emma andHarriet leave soon after.

Mrs. Weston and Emma also interpretMr. Knightley’s behavior differently, andthe nature of his feelings towards Janeremains unclear. However, his dislike forFrank could not be more obvious.

CHAPTER 29Frank persists with his scheme for aball, and Emma assists. They plan forten couples, measure out thedimensions of various rooms, anddecide on the Crown Inn. Mr.Woodhouse frets over the dangers ofcatching colds at inns, but Emmaassuages his fears.

Dances are one of the favorite pastimesof young people in Austen’s society.Frank’s delight for entertainment isevident; his lively disposition activelyseeks enjoyment.

After some more debate about thetechnical details of the ball, Frankproposes that they get secondopinions from their neighbors. Heruns off to fetch Miss Bates and Jane.Miss Bates gives her warm approval,and all anticipate the dance withpleasure. Frank requests the first twodances with Emma, which Mr. Westonnotes with quiet delight to Mrs.Weston.

Frank displays an energetic anddetermined interest in the ball. Hewillfully perseveres through all technicaldifficulties and debate to ensure thateverything will be taken care of and thatnothing will spoil the evening ofentertainment that he desires.

CHAPTER 30Plans for the ball are set. Emma findsMr. Knightley’s indifference towardsit annoying, as he seems determinedagainst enjoying himself there. Emmafeels slighted, but she considers hisattitude to be evidence for his lack ofinterest in Jane, who anticipates theball with pleasure.

Emma and Frank are both characterswho are preoccupied with their ownpleasure; though good-natured, they areoften insensitive and dismissive offeelings that differ from theirs.

However, plans for the ball are cutshort when a letter from Mrs.Churchill calls Frank home on accountof her ill-health. Frank calls on Emmabefore he leaves, and he displaysdistress and hesitation. He seemsabout to confess something serious,and Emma supposes he is even morein love with her than she realized. Sheis relieved when Mr. Weston’sentrance interrupts theirconversation, preventing Frank fromcompleting whatever he intended tosay.

Frank’s behavior appears to the readerand Emma as love for her. Yet,unbeknownst to us, there is anotherreading behind his hesitation: he believesEmma is aware of his secret with Jane.Frank interprets Emma’s understandingexactly as is convenient for him,displaying the same self-interestedmisperceptions that affect Emma.

Emma misses Frank after he is gone,and she reflects on his good qualitiesand what she believes to have beenhis almost confession of love for her.As she notes her own feelings oflistlessness and Frank’s many virtues,she concludes that she must be “alittle in love with him.” With somesighing, Emma thinks how dull andtedious Hartfield will be without him.Mr. Knightley, however, seemscheerful about Frank’sdeparture—though he sympathizeswith others’ disappointment.

Emma’s self-conscious assessment of herfeelings is somewhat comical, as itreveals the extent to which she delightsin control. Just as she orchestrateseveryone else’s lives around heraccording to her fancies, she alsomeasures her own feelings against thepleasant romantic narrative she hasdevised for herself.

CHAPTER 31Emma continues to imagine herself inlove with Frank and fantasizes variousscenarios of their dalliance. However,all of them end in her rejection of himand the subsiding of their romanceinto friendship. Emma concludes sheis happier remaining single, and shebelieves Frank’s feelings for her to bewarm but changeable.

Despite Emma’s imagined love for Frank,it is an affection that leaves her with nodoubt that she is still perfectly in controlof the situation. It is not the kind of lovethat disarms and humbles Emma as Mr.Knightley wishes for her earlier in thenovel.

Mrs. Weston receives a letter fromFrank, which Emma reads with greatpleasure. A mention of Harriet in theletter makes Emma briefly speculatethat her friend might replace her inFrank’s affections, but thenremembers her vow to abstain frommatchmaking.

Emma cannot resist the impulses of herfancy, even under rather ridiculouscircumstances, as she pleasantlyimagines a match between Harriet andthe man she claims to be in love with.This also, of course, calls into questionthe depth of Emma's "love" for Frank.

Mr. Elton now becomes the center ofattention for town gossip, in light ofhis impending arrival accompanied byhis bride. Emma attempts to comfortthe flustered Harriet, and she at lastbegs her friend to cease dwelling onMr. Elton for Emma’s own sake. Thisappeal works immediately, and Emmais warmed by Harriet’s deep love forher. She feels that such tenderness ofheart cannot be esteemed highlyenough, and that Harriet is hersuperior in this regard.

The confined nature of town life resultsin its changeable preoccupation withvarious social changes—the arrival of astranger, or a marriage, being of greatexcitement. Harriet remains particularlytender and vulnerable in regard to Mr.Elton, and it is only her love forEmma—neither concern for her own wellbeing nor for her dignity—that compelsher to refrain from active distress. Harrietforces herself to not be sad for thebenefit of Emma, which feeds Emma'sown vanity.

CHAPTER 32Mrs. Elton arrives, and Emmaresolves to pay her respects withHarriet. The visit results in unpleasantrecollections and awkwardness fromMr. Elton, but Emma refrains fromjudging Mrs. Elton too soon, thoughshe leaves with the impression thatMrs. Elton is unimpressive.

Emma, with somewhat surprisingfairness, reserves her judgment the firsttime that she meets Mrs. Elton.

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Mrs. Elton’s following visit toHartfield, however, convinces Emmathat the new bride is a vain and self-important woman. Mrs. Elton displaysmany of the gauche superficialities ofthe nouveau-riche. Mrs. Elton’s over-familiarity particularly offends Emma;Mrs. Elton proposes they start amusical club together as though theywere already intimate friends, and shefurther provokes Emma bypresumptively referring to Mr.Knightley as “Knightley.” Emma alsofinds Mrs. Elton’s offer to help hermake social connections outrageous.

Mrs. Elton quickly gains Emma’s ill-opinion, however, by not only displayingher own self-importance but alsooffending Emma’s. By presuming suchfamiliarity with Emma and theneighbors, Mrs. Elton behaves as thoughshe were on equal footing with Emmaand Mr. Knightley. Indeed, Mrs. Elton’soffer to socially introduce Emma to herfriends presumes that she possessescertain advantages over Emma, which isboth presumptuous and false.

Emma concludes that Mrs. Elton isinsufferable and vulgar, with manypretensions but little real grace. Shefeels Harriet, for all her lack ofrefinement, is much her superior. Mr.Woodhouse, however, onlycomplacently observes that Mrs.Elton seems a nice young lady. Heremarks that a bride holds aparticularly special rank in society, the“first in company.”

Exactly what marks any given individualat the top of the social ladder can bequite confusing. Social connections andwealth, manners and virtue . . . thereseems a fine line between real eleganceand pretentious airs, and it requiresconsiderable discernment to mark outreal superiority.

CHAPTER 33Further encounters with Mrs. Eltonconfirm Emma’s poor opinion of her.In response, Mrs. Elton observesEmma’s reserve and grows coldertowards her. She pours out affectionon Jane instead, whom she sociallytakes under her wing. To Emma’ssurprise, Jane seems to accept andtolerate Mrs. Elton’s behavior.

Mrs. Elton’s desire to take Jane under herwing parallels Emma’s own relationshipwith Harriet. For all their mutual dislikeof each other, both women are full oftheir own importance and charity,though the novel does present Emma ashaving a certain grace that Mrs. Eltondistinctly lacks. In some ways, Mrs. Eltonis like a coarse double of Emma, showingwhat Emma might have been had shelacked all her other blessings and herwillingness to self-examine and changeher own behavior.

Jane receives a second invitation tojoin the Dixons in Ireland, but shedeclines and decides to stay inHighbury. Emma suspects Jane mustbe punishing herself regarding herfeelings for Mr. Dixon.

Emma continues to interpret the puzzleof Jane according to her own fancy, evenas Jane’s real motives remain mysteriousto the reader.

Mrs. Weston, Emma, and Mr.Knightley discuss Jane’scomplaisance towards Mrs. Elton’sattentions. When Mr. Knightleywarmly defends Jane’s judgment,Emma teases him about the extent ofhis admiration for Jane. Mr. Knightleycolors, but he believes Jane wouldnever have him and makes it clear thathe has no romantic interest in her.Despite his great admiration for her,he finds her too reserved. Emmaquietly rejoices—both in Mr.Knightley’s security, and in theacknowledged flaw.

Emma’s concern that Mr. Knightleyremain her single friend stems from thecompound desire to keep her friend toherself and jealousy of Jane. However,Mr. Knightley demonstrates that he isperfectly capable of holding adisinterested and selfless regard for thatwhich he deems good and beautiful,without any personal claims or prideinvolved.

CHAPTER 34Mrs. Elton receives social attentionfrom everyone in town. Emma plans adinner for the Eltons at Hartfield,eager to extricate herself from anysuspicions that she harbors ill feelingstowards Mrs. Elton (even though shedoes). When Harriet cannot come,Emma takes the opportunity ofamending her neglect of Jane andinvites her instead. She also invitesIsabella and John Knightley, who willbe in the area.

Emma, very aware of her social rank, isalso aware of her social obligations. Herpride ensures that she carries out everyduty expected towards Mrs. Elton, and italso spurs her to improve her behaviortowards Jane Fairfax.

During the party, Mr. John Knightleytalks with Jane, solicitously scoldingher for walking through the rain tofetch her letters. Jane blushes butinsists that she enjoys her walks andvalues letters of friendship. Mrs. Eltonoverhears and decides that she willhave her servant fetch Jane’s lettersfor her, but Jane just as determinedlyobjects that she will continue to fetchher own letters. Emma suspects thatJane has been receiving letters fromsome one very dear, whom she keepssecret.

Here, as in other cases, Emma interpretsmore interesting motives behind Jane’sdetermination to fetch her own letters.She continues to interpret Jane’sbehavior through the narrative she hascreated between Jane and Mr. Dixon.Ironically, Emma is half-right: there is asecret story regarding those letters, but itinvolves not Dixon but rather the veryman Emma believes is in love with her,Emma! So even when Emma's insight isright about a situation, her fancies andvanities still stop her from getting itentirely right.

The conversation turns tohandwriting, and Emma’s handwritingis praised. Emma in turn praisesFrank’s handwriting, but Mr.Knightley counters that it is weak andwomanly.

Emma and Mr. Knightley continue todisagree over their impressions of Frank,this time literally reading personalitybetween the lines of his handwriting.

CHAPTER 35When the ladies retire to the drawingroom after dinner, Mrs. Eltoncontinues to impose her services onJane. After failing to get her way withthe letters, she insists on helping Janeattain a governess position. Jane,however, informs her that she will notmake any inquiries until after she seesthe Campbells in midsummer.

Mrs. Elton’s attempt to help Jane out ispart comical and part aggravating, asJane clearly does not want her serviceswith letters or job hunting. Indeed,though Mrs. Elton does not know it, such“assistance” would actually be adisservice to Jane’s plans. She does notwant to be a governess. She wants tomarry Frank.

Mr. Weston joins the party after a dayin London. The introverted Mr. JohnKnightley is amazed that Mr. Westonshould desire to socialize instead ofstaying home after such a day ofbusiness and travel. Mr. Weston,however, happily announces that hebears a letter from Frank. The letterannounces his impending visit, to thedelight of Mrs. Weston, the agitationof Emma, and the indifference of Mr.Knightley.

Austen’s character sketches are livelyand thorough, as she entersvarious—even minor—characters’perspectives and delineates theirperception of others. Mr. Weston’ssociability baffles the more reserved Mr.John Knightley.

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CHAPTER 36Mr. Weston delightedly engages Mrs.Elton in conversation, chatting abouthis son Frank and the difficult Mrs.Churchill. Mrs. Elton proclaimsherself a defender of her sex, and sheintroduces the subject of her ownfemale relations and justifies thefussiness of fine ladies. Mrs. Eltonactively fishes for compliments, whileMr. Weston indulges in talking aboutFrank. When Mr. Weston complainsthat Mrs. Churchill, for all her pride,was nobody until she married well,Mrs. Weston shudders with horror atsuch “upstarts”—she is disgusted withpeople of low connections who givethemselves airs.

Mr. Weston and Mrs. Elton’s dialogue iscomical, as the two continue talking pasteach other about themselves. Austenhere pokes fun at the self-absorption ofhuman nature, as the two characters useeach other to indulge in their variousprides: Mrs. Elton’s social connection andMr. Weston’s son. Ironically, Mrs. Elton’sdisgust at social upstarts preciselymirrors Emma’s own sentiment towardsher; Emma views Mrs. Elton as having anirritatingly inflated view of her own socialconnections.

The two are interrupted by tea. Mr.John Knightley instructs Emmaregarding his sons, who are staying atHartfield for a little while. Heobserves that Emma has becomemuch more social, and Mr. Knightleyproposes that he will take care of hisbrother's children instead. Emmaobjects that she has far more leisurethan Mr. Knightley, who is constantlymanaging his estate.

Emma’s busy-ness stems from her activesocial life, the result of a privileged lifeand sociable nature that keeps her fromboredom. However, as Emma herselfargues, she has much more leisure as agentlewoman than Mr. Knightley, who, inaddition to meeting social obligations,additionally has to take care of business.Such as the difference between the rolesof men and women in Austen's time.

CHAPTER 37Emma anticipates Frank’s return withconcern that she must disappoint hisfeelings. She believes her ownaffections have subsided toinsignificance, but that Frank hasalways been the more in love of thetwo. However, when he visitsHartfield for only a brief fifteenminutes before dashing off to makeother social calls, Emma concludes hemust also be less in love thanpreviously.

Emma continues to believe Frank to be inlove with her, as she has interpreted all ofhis actions according to the immensegratification of her own vanity. However,she is not cruel: she has no desire toencourage unrequited affection, anddesires to protect his feelings as much aspossible and watches accordingly.

Frank soon departs for London again,on account of Mrs. Churchill’s illness.She has decided that they must movefrom London to Richmond, which willbe better for her nerves and health.This move brings Frank closer toHighbury, to the delight of theWestons and Frank himself. Mr.Weston can finally hold the ball withcertainty, and Mr. Woodhouse resignshimself to the evils of such excitement.

Mrs. Churchill’s health and whims are amajor factor in directing Frank’s fate.Though he is indeed a privileged youngman, he is still reliant upon his guardianand benefactress for many of hispleasures. Indeed, as we will discover, hecannot marry against her wishes as hefinancially depends on her (though ofcourse he could also do as Mr. Westondid and make his own way in the world,which Frank seems unwilling to do).

CHAPTER 38Emma arrives early to the ball at thespecial invitation of Mr. Weston, onlyto discover that he has also extendedthis flattering invitation to severalother “favored” friends. She considersthat such general favoritism is notparticularly flattering.

Emma’s vanity and consciousnessregarding social privileges is piqued bythe fact that her special invitation isshared by so many of Mr. Weston’s otherfriends.

Frank restlessly awaits the guests,and he runs out to escort Miss Batesand Jane. Mrs. Elton behavesofficiously, lavishly praising Frank andgreeting guests as though she wereherself the hostess. Frank disapprovesof her familiarity with Jane, and hequietly declares his dislike for Mrs.Elton to Emma. Emma responds thathe is ungrateful. He protests andseems agitated.

Frank’s behavior puzzles Emma, thoughshe in part attributes his agitation andrestlessness to his feelings for her. Yet thepieces do not quite add up; he readsstrange meaning into her words. Hisdislike of Mrs. Elton, though, confirmsEmma's sense of her as a generallypresumptuous busybody.

Though the Westons desired to giveEmma the honor of leading the dance,they realize that Mrs. Elton expects it.To Emma’s dismay, Mr. Weston andMrs. Elton lead the dance. Herdemotion is “almost enough to makeher think of marrying.” However, sheanticipates a delightful evening; sheonly wishes Mr. Knightley would joinin the dancing, too.

The order of dancing contains its own setof hierarchy, as the first couple holds theposition of highest honor. Emma ismortified that she must come second tothe newly married Mrs. Elton, comicallyreflecting that the latter’s privilege isalmost enough to make one considermarriage.

During one of the sets, Harriet is theonly lady with no partner. Mr. Eltondeliberately snubs her, gleefullyrefusing to ask her to dance. Mr.Knightley, however, saves the day andleads Harriet into the dance. Hischivalry thwarts Mr. Elton’s attemptto humiliate Harriet, to Emma’simmense gratitude and pleasure.

Mr. Elton’s deliberate snub towardsHarriet reveals his pride and cruelty. Mr.Knightley, in turn, reveals his charity andchivalry in rescuing Harriet; he wieldssocial clout responsibly and kindly.

Emma thanks Mr. Knightley warmly,and he observes that they intended toslight Emma as well. She confessesher mistakes regarding the Eltons andadmits that Mr. Knightley was right. Inreturn, Mr. Knightley shares thatHarriet would have been a muchworthier wife—unpretentious, honest,and devoted—than Mrs. Elton. Theyconclude these warm concessionswith a dance.

Emma and Mr. Knightley’s interactionsreveal real warmth towards each other,as Emma truly values—though she doesnot always enjoy—Mr. Knightley’sguidance. Mr. Knightley’s very sternnessshows his faith in Emma’s goodness andability to improve herself. His willingnessto critique her as an equal is acompliment.

CHAPTER 39Emma reflects with pleasure on theevents of the ball: Mr. Knightley andher own shared understanding of therude Eltons and the amiability ofHarriet, Frank’s diminished love forher, and Harriet’s disillusionmentregarding Mr. Elton. For after theepisode at the ball, Emma has hopesthat Harriet’s enduring love for Mr.Elton will be quite destroyed.

Emma’s reflections regarding the ball doher credit, as her pleasure is largelyselfless: she delights in the agreementbetween her and Mr. Knightley, thethwarting of the Eltons’ rudeness, andthe healing of Harriet.

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Frank arrives at Hartfieldunexpectedly, with a frightened andpale Harriet on his arm. It turns outthat Harriet and a friend had beenaccosted by a gypsy child, begging formoney, on their walk. Her friend hadrun away, but Harriet was unable toescape. More gypsies surrounded her,when Frank arrived on the scene andchased them away. He then escortedher to Hartfield.

The episode dramatizes the vulnerabilitythat Harriet experiences as a young,unmarried lady with no man to "protect"her. She is physically helpless and prey tothe gypsies, a vagabond group that layoutside Austen’s social systemaltogether. Their intrusion into thedomestic realism of Highbury is aspuzzling as it is dramatic.

Once Harriet’s safety is assured,Emma considers with some pleasurethat the adventure may sparkattraction between Harriet andFrank—though she resolves that shewill not actively involve herself. Newsof the episode speeds throughoutHighbury, alarming Mr. Woodhouse,but the gypsies soon take off. Thegossip subsides into an exciting storyEmma tells her nephews.

Despite her resolution to refrain frommeddling in others’ love lives, Emma’sactive imagination continues to envisionmatches. Emma’s fancy forms from theexciting incident of the gypsies a lovestory conforming to the conventions ofthe romantic melodrama genre.

CHAPTER 40Harriet arrives at Hartfield some timelater, and reveals to Emma herintentions to dispose of all former“tokens of affection” from Mr. Eltonthat she has previously cherished: abit of bandage she gave Mr. Elton tobind his finger, and the remnant of adiscarded pencil he once used. Harrietdeclares her shame that she everthought him so perfect, and shethrows these silly trinkets into the fire.

The extent of Harriet’s folly and devotionregarding Mr. Elton becomes clear, as welearn the “tokens of affection” she hasbeen cherishing—pieces of rubbish. Theepisode reveals the extent of Harriet’sinitial ridiculous enchantment with Mr.Elton, her current disillusionment withhim, and Emma’s unknowing damage toher friend’s feelings.

Harriet then declares her decision tonever marry, as the one whom shenow admires is too far above her.Emma believes she means Frank, andshe eagerly affirms that Harriet’sfeelings are understandable, given theservice he rendered her. NeitherHarriet nor Emma ever explicitlymention the gentleman in question byname; Harriet refers to his rescuewith warmth, and Emma encouragesher to proceed with caution but allowherself hope—there have beenmatches of greater disparity yet.

Though Harriet’s infatuation has beenlong lasting, it is quickly replaced. Emmaattempts to be more discreet and lessinvolved in the new match, but ironicallythis discretion in discussing Harriet’s newpreference actually creates moreopportunity for misperception, as Harrietis in fact referring to Mr. Knightley.

CHAPTER 41Mr. Knightley begins to suspect Frankof double dealing with Emma andJane. He knows that Emma isostensibly the subject of Frank’sadmiration, but he reads symptoms ofa secret understanding andadmiration between Frank and Jane.He observes a peculiar incident on agroup walk to Hartfield, in whichFrank asks Mrs. Weston about Mr.Perry’s plan to set up his carriage,referring to information from a lettershe sent him. However, Mrs. Westonhas no idea what he is talking about,and Frank laughingly declares he musthave dreamt it up. Miss Batesdeclares full knowledge of Perry’s planfor the carriage, as Mrs. Perry sharedthis secret with the Bateses—leadingMr. Knightley to suspect a secretcommunication between Frank andJane.

Mr. Knightley, despite his cautiousdisdain for coming to fancifulconclusions through imagined hints,finds himself reading signs of a romancebetween Jane and Frank. Throughout thecourse of the novel, Emma, Mrs. Weston,and finally Mr. Knightley play a detectivegame of sorts in their attempts to piecetogether the signs of attraction betweenvarious characters. However, each isguided and influenced by his or her owndesires for drawing certain conclusions.In Mr. Knightley’s case, his early dislikefor Frank renders him attentive toFrank's flaws.

The party arrives at Hartfield, andFrank proposes a word game in whichthey unscramble alphabet tiles. Mr.Knightley seats himself near toobserve. Jane unscrambles Frank’spuzzle, “blunder,” with a blush ofconsciousness. Frank then sendsEmma “Dixon,” which amuses her andangers Jane. Mr. Knightley indignantlysuspects that these word gamesconceal Frank’s deeper game ofgallantry and trick.

Word games provide the medium for theromantic speculation and intrigue thatruns throughout the entire novel. Frank’spuzzles allow divergent interpretationsfor Emma and Jane, but remainincomprehensible to Mr. Knightley. Onlythose with the inside knowledge cancrack the code of Frank’s intentions. Atthe same time, Frank's games revealagain that in is fun-loving daringness hecan be callous and reckless, even hurtingthe feelings of Jane, whom he loves.

Mr. Knightley stays behind to warnEmma, despite his concern that hisinterference with her affections forFrank will be unwelcome. He tells herabout his suspicions regarding Frankand Jane, but she laughingly assuresMr. Knightley that she can answer forFrank’s complete indifferencetowards Jane. Mr. Knightley isunhappy by the intimation that Emmapossesses such an intimate knowledgeof Frank.

Mr. Knightley proves again that he iswilling to risk Emma’s good feelingstowards him in order to help her out. Theemphasis on Mr. Knightley’s perspectiveallows us to view Emma, Jane, and Frankfrom a different light separate fromEmma’s biases—though also revealingsome of Mr. Knightley’s heart.

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CHAPTER 42When Mrs. Elton’s rich relatives fail tovisit, Mr. Weston suggests that theirparties (Emma and her friends withMrs. Elton and her friends) merge inan outing to Box Hill. However, a lamehorse forces the postponement of theouting, and Mrs. Elton seizes insteadon Mr. Knightley’s passing invitationto explore his estate, Donwell Abbey.She eagerly begins to make thearrangements, but Mr. Knightleyasserts his authority over them.Meanwhile, the lame horse heals andthe Box Hill trip is planned to followthe next day.

Mrs. Elton and Emma’s set areconstantly looking for a diversion, as thelittle town of Highbury provides limitedexcitement. When there are no newmarriages or visitors, they rely on socialvisits and nature outings forentertainment. Mrs. Elton is as eager asever to seize upon any invitations thatmay gratify her vanity.

At Donwell, Emma regards herfriend’s estate with pleasure andpride. Mrs. Elton badgers Jane toaccept a governess position that shehas found for her, and Jane finallyremoves herself by proposing a walk.Emma spots Mr. Knightley andHarriet in pleasant conversationleading the way.

Mr. Knightley reveals himself to be agenerous judge of character, as hewillingly amends his opinion of Harriet toinclude more virtues than he initiallyallowed. Emma shows her truegenerosity in delighting in her friend’sfortune.

Mrs. Weston worries at Frank’s delay,as he is expected from Richmond.While cooling off in the house, Emmaencounters an agitated Jane. Janeappears distressed and exhausted,and she asks Emma to inform theothers that she has left for home.Emma feels some sympathy for her.Just then, an out of humor Frankarrives. He has run into Jane as sheleft, and he complains about the heat.However, he agrees to join the BoxHill expedition the next day.

Emma begins to sympathize with Jane’sforbearance of her irritating friends, asshe observes Jane’s real distress anddesire for solitude. She realizes thatdespite Jane’s reserve, Jane must feelconsiderable irritation towards thosewho love her best—her annoying auntand the presumptuous Mrs. Elton.

CHAPTER 43Though the trip to Box Hill is initiallydull during the walk, Frank livens upwhen they all sit down. Frank andEmma flirt excessively, though inEmma’s mind it is all meaningless play.The rest of the party sits listlessly, soFrank gallantly orders the company toshare their thoughts with Emma.Some are amused, others affronted.Frank then requests either one thingvery clever, two things moderatelyclever, or three things very dullindeed.

Frank and Emma display a selfishdisregard towards the company they arewith, before which they flirt excessivelyand meaninglessly for their ownentertainment. Indeed, they only turn tothe others when Frank decides to createmore entertainment involving them in hisgallantry towards Emma.

When Miss Bates good-humoredlydeclares she will easily supply threedull things, Emma quips that she willhave a great difficulty refraining fromsupplying only three. Miss Bates, hurt,blushes and murmurs to Mr.Knightley that she must be veryannoying indeed or Emma would nothave embarrassed her like that.

Emma also uses the comparably slow-witted Miss Bates as the butt of her joke,though it is an unkind one that clearlyhurts the chatty spinster. However, MissBates herself generously attributes theblame to her own dullness, revealing herown good will.

Mr. Weston presents a riddle in praiseof Emma, and Mrs. Elton and Mr.Elton huffily excuse themselves fromthe game. Frank observes that theyare fortunate to have such a well-matched marriage, given that briefacquaintances before marriage do notoften turn out well. Jane objects thatsuch acquaintances only sour in theface of weak, irresolute characters.Frank playfully commissions Emma tochoose a wife for him. Jane, MissBates, and Mr. Knightley also departfor a walk from the group.

Frank and Jane’s discussion about thefate of marriages between briefacquaintances made in public placespossesses a subtext, which refers to themany difficulties arising in their ownrelationship. Though marriage is such acentral force in their society, it becomesclear that it is not always easy to eitherchoose or keep a good mate, whichrequires resolution.

As the outing ends, Mr. Knightleyquietly reprimands Emma for herinsolent and insensitive behavior toMiss Bates. When she tries to laugh itoff, he insists that it is wrong of theprivileged Emma to use her witagainst a poor, helpless spinster: shesets a cruel example for others tofollow. Emma is deeply distressed,mortified, and angry with herself. Sheweeps the entire way home.

Mr. Knightley again reveals the depth ofhis friendship, as he persists in correctingEmma in spite of his belief that sheresents his advice. He reminds her thatMiss Bates’s poverty and social situationdemand compassion from the privilegedEmma. Emma’s distress and receptivitytowards his criticism also reveals thatshe is changing, humbled and repentant.

CHAPTER 44Emma reflects miserably about theBox Hill expedition. She comfortsherself a little regarding her goodbehavior to her father, but herconscience continues to torture herregarding her treatment of MissBates. The very next morning, Emmaresolves to visit Miss Bates regularly.

Emma again demonstrates her ability tobe severe on herself and improve. To hercredit, once convicted of her faults,Emma earnestly attempts to correctthem and improve her behavior.

Emma arrives at the Bateses to findJane unwell, and she is ushered intothe bedroom. Miss Bates’s gratitudefurther humbles Emma. Emma learnsthat Jane has just accepted thegoverness position Mrs. Elton foundfor her; Jane spent the past day at BoxHill making up her mind. All of Emma’sformer unkind feelings towards Janeare washed away by her sympathy, asEmma wishes Jane well with heartfeltwarmth.

Emma at last begins to put aside herannoyance for the gossipy Miss Bates, asshe fully appreciates her goodness andgenerosity. Like Harriet, Miss Bates doesnot begrudge Emma her wrongdoing,and this generosity further humblesEmma.

Miss Bates also shares that Frank leftfor Richmond on Mrs. Churchill’ssummons the previous evening. Thecontrast between Mrs. Churchill’s andJane’s situation strikes Emma withparticular poignancy, as she reflectson the former’s power and the latter’sdependence. She leaves the Bateseswith sincere good will and regret forher previous unkindness.

Emma also at last puts aside her childishjealousy of Jane, towards whom she feelsreal female sympathy. She realizes thatfate can be both fickle and cruel,endowing the cold Mrs. Churchill withpower and leaving the good Jane sociallyimpoverished.

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CHAPTER 45Emma returns home to find Mr.Knightley and Harriet visiting. Mr.Knightley is soon to visit the JohnKnightleys in London, and he wants tosay goodbye. When Mr. Woodhousementions Emma’s visit to the Bateses,Mr. Knightley perceives Emma’sintentions with warm gratification. Hetakes her hand, in a gesture ofuncommon friendliness, and is aboutto kiss it, but then refrains. They partin perfect amity.

Mr. Knightley’s manner of departurepuzzles Emma, but she is grateful fortheir reconciliation. Mr. Knightley,despite his criticism, is also generous andquick to perceive her change of heart. Heis greatly moved by her efforts, morethan his discretion will allow him toexpress.

The following day, news arrives ofMrs. Churchill’s death. Emma reflectsthat Frank may now be freed to marrywhomever he chooses—even Harriet.

Mrs. Churchill, as a willful and powerfulwoman, holds the young dependentFrank’s fate in her hands.

Emma attempts to rectify her pastcoldness towards Jane: she invites herto Hartfield, sends her food, andattempts to visit her. Jane pleads illhealth, but Emma learns that she hasbeen seen out of bed. Emma realizeswith sorrow that Jane is determinedto receive no kindness from her, butfeels it was worth the effort.

Emma’s attempts to demonstrate hergood will towards Jane are rejected,causing her some pain and regret. Jane’sown motives for her behavior remainsomewhat mysterious, though it will bemade clear that Jane feels that Emmahas played a role in wrecking Jane'sengagement to Frank.

CHAPTER 46About a week after Mrs. Churchill’sdeath, Mr. Weston arrives at Hartfieldwith an urgent request to take Emmato see Mrs. Weston. At Randalls, anagitated Mrs. Weston informs Emmathat Frank and Jane have beensecretly engaged since Weymouth.Emma is astonished, torn betweenmortification at her unflatteringconversations with Frank about Janeand her concern for Harriet’s feelingsfor Frank.

The answer to all of the riddles regardingJane and Frank’s behavior finally comesout: their secret engagement. Emma isagain completely surprised by therevelation of who is really in love withwhom, though her only fault in the affairis her indiscretions regarding Jane.

Emma observes Mrs. Weston’sconcern for her, and she reassures herthat she has had no feelings for Frankfor some time. However, Emmastrongly disapproves of Frank’sbehavior. She is angry with him fordeceiving and courting her; she alsobelieves he has behaved poorlytowards Jane in many regards.

Emma slowly comes over to Mr.Knightley’s opinion of Frank as aduplicitous cad, especially as she beginsto appreciate the damage he might havedone to her and Jane.

Mrs. Weston begs her to postponejudgment until Frank can explaineverything by letter. She insists thatFrank, too, has suffered frommisunderstandings between him andJane. Upon learning that Jane hasaccepted a governess position, Frankwent frantically to his uncle to pleadtheir case. Mr. Churchill, without thesnobbish Mrs. Churchill’s influence,consented to give them his blessing,though insisting they postpone thepublic engagement until more timehas passed. Mr. Weston enters theroom cautiously, but is sooncomforted by Emma’s warmcongratulations regarding his son’sengagement.

As Emma is confronted again with theshortcomings of her perception, she ispersuaded to postpone judgment onFrank. It is a lesson of humility that shehas been learning throughout the novel,as she reflects on the disastrousconsequences of her own vanity-inflatedmistakes in judgment on the one hand,and experiences others’ generositytowards herself on the other.

CHAPTER 47Emma’s concern for Harriet fuels heranger with Frank and herself. Sheregrets having again mistakenlyencouraged Harriet’s affections for aman. She also now understands Jane’srecent coldness towards her asmotivated by jealousy. Emma is happyfor Jane, and generously reflects thatJane will finally attain much deservedsocial and financial security withmarriage.

Emma quickly puts the pieces together,and we see just how much she has grownin her selfless concern towards Harrietand regard for Jane. Despite her anger atthe secret engagement, sheacknowledges Jane’s merits and is happyfor her future rise in fortune.

When Harriet arrives at Hartfield,however, it turns out she alreadyknows about the engagement fromMr. Weston and is entirelyunperturbed. Emma, surprised, soondiscovers that Harriet’s interest hasbeen in Mr. Knightley, not Frank, allalong. Harriet informs Emma that butfor her seeming encouragement, shewould never have presumed to raiseher eyes to Mr. Knightley. However,now she acknowledges hope of hisreciprocal affection.

Harriet’s remarkable composure as sherelates the true nature of her feelingsshows how much she, too, has grown.She is no longer the agitated girldependent on Emma’s opinion to makeher own; she perceives Mr. Knightley’smerits and believes in her own. She doesnot ask Emma’s permission for thematch.

Emma is upset. And from this distress,Emma realizes that she herself is lovewith Mr. Knightley. Out of a sense ofjustice to Harriet, she represses herfeelings and inquires into theunfolding of Harriet’s. Harriet relatesseveral moments in which Mr.Knightley displayed particularaffection towards her—including thewalk at Donwell—and Emma recallssimilarly noting Mr. Knightley’simproved opinion of Harriet. Emmacan only respond that Mr. Knightleywould never intend to lead a womanon.

Emma’s forbearance and determinationto be fair to her friend, to whom she hasdone so little real good, does hercredit—particularly as it causes her greatpain to hear Harriet recount signs of Mr.Knightley’s admiration for her. She alsocorroborates Harriet’s evidence with herown observations, showing a less fancifuljudgment.

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Emma is left to reflect on how verymistaken she has been abouteveryone: Frank, Jane, Harriet, andherself. She realizes that she hasalways loved Mr. Knightley; her lovefor Frank was a delusion. She regretstoo her “insufferable vanity” inbelieving she knew everybody’s heartand could orchestrate their destiny.Now, she has only herself to blame forenabling Harriet and Mr. Knightley—amatch that she reflects is notimpossible, as the world has beenrevealed to be an “unequal,inconsistent, incongruous” place.

Emma reflects with horror and wonderupon the potential match betweenHarriet and Mr. Knightley. It is a matchthat horrifies her because of their greatdisparity in social class and wealth, butalso inevitably because she is in love withMr. Knightley. She finds, ironically, thatshe has become her own worst enemy,because of her blindness and vanity.

CHAPTER 48Until she is threatened by his loss,Emma never knew how important itwas for her to be first in Mr.Knightley’s affection and regard. Sherealizes that she has taken hisattentions for granted, which she nowfeels were undeserved in the firstplace. In spite of her new revelations,Emma feels she cannot marry becauseof her duty to her father.

Mr. Knightley, the only one who criticizesher, is again the impetus for her self-improvement. Emma has experiencedfew real misfortunes in her life, and it isnot until she is faced with the loss of theman she loves that she learns the mostabout her heart.

Emma feels certain that she would behappy if only Mr. Knightley wouldremain single all his life, and theycould preserve their specialfriendship. She resolves to carefullyobserve Harriet and Mr. Knightley inthe future.

Emma’s wishes that Mr. Knightley notmarry at all remain rather selfish,motivated as they are by her ownemotional investment in his affairs. Atthe same time, it is an un-acted uponwish, marking a change in Emma, whopreviously would have tried to make theworld fit with how she wanted it to be.

Mrs. Weston arrives at Hartfield,having just visited Jane. She relatesthat Jane has suffered greatly duringthe concealment of her engagement,and she repents allowing her affectionto overpower her judgment in relationto Emma. Jane also expressedgratitude towards Emma for thekindness she displayed during herillness.

Jane’s reserve and coldness towardsEmma is finally rendered fullysympathetic andcomprehensible—Emma unknowinglycaused Jane emotional harm. Jane alsodisplays a generosity and fairness inrecognizing Emma’s kindness towardsher.

Emma reflects with remorse that herbehavior with Frank must havecaused Jane considerable distress. Asa gloomy evening sets in, sheconsiders what a loss Mr. Knightley’smarriage would cause to Hartfield.Her only consolation is in the hopethat all of these desolate events willleave her more rational, self-aware,and a better person.

That Emma anticipates consolation inthe hope that, even if she is to lose Mr.Knightley forever, she will at least growfrom her mistakes reveals the lasting,good, and humbling impact of Mr.Knightley on Emma’s heart.

CHAPTER 49Some time later, while Emma takes areflective walk in the garden, sheencounters Mr. Knightley, justreturned from London. Concernedfrom his serious air that he wants toshare his feelings about Harriet,Emma directs the topic to Frank andJane’s secret engagement. Mr.Knightley, however, already knowsand has come to comfort her. Emmaconfesses she never loved Frank andregrets her flirtation with him.

Emma interprets Mr. Knightley’sbehavior in light of Harriet’s belief in hisreciprocated affection. Mr. Knightleymisreads Emma’s agitation as related toFrank, as opposed to himself. Unlike priormisperceptions, this one is inspired notby self-interest, but humility; neitherbelieves they possess their beloved’sheart.

Mr. Knightley begins that he enviesFrank, and Emma cuts him short toavoid hearing about Harriet. Mr.Knightley is mortified, and Emma feelsbad; she decides she will hear him as afriend. To her great astonishment, Mr.Knightley declares his love for her;she, in turn, confesses hers. Both ofthem are ecstatic, having gone frombelieving their beloved attached toanother to realizing their beloved istheirs. They return from the walkengaged.

The misperception is finally brought to adelightful close, as all of the signs ofhesitation turn out to be the result ofreturned love; ironically, Emma’s attemptto silence Mr. Knightley from speaking ofHarriet discouraged his declaration oflove for her, and had she not decided toselflessly hear him out as a friend hemight not have made his feelings knownto her.

CHAPTER 50Emma worries about breaking thenews to Mr. Woodhouse and Harriet.Emma decides that she will not marryuntil her father dies. She then informsHarriet about the situation via letterand arranges for her to stay withIsabella in London, to heal and easethe awkwardness.

Emma thoughtfully considers how tobest behave towards her father andHarriet, both of whom have differentreasons for disliking her engagement. Sheattempts to act as fairly and kindly aspossible to each, marking her character.

Mrs. Weston forwards Frank’s letterexplaining his behavior and secrecy,which was due to the restrictions ofhis Churchill relations. He used hiscourtship of Emma as a cover for hisengagement, believing that she wasnever really interested in him; he alsobelieved she suspected his secret.Jane, however, disapproved of hisbehavior to Emma, and they quarreledabout it at Donwell Abbey. Frank feltJane was coldly cautious anddeparted for Richmond.

Frank’s behavior, though perhaps not hisintentions, is insensitive and blind; heinterprets Emma’s heart and mind as isconvenient to his own interests, evenassuming that she is aware of hisengagement. His dismissal of Jane’sfeelings reveals his determination todo—and see—things his own way.

Jane then broke off the engagementby letter, but in the chaos of Mrs.Churchill’s death Frank misplaced hisreply. Jane then returned all of hisletters and requested hers to bereturned to her new governess post.Realizing his blunder and the actionsthat Jane had taken, Frank begged forhis uncle’s approval of the marriage.Having received it, he then dashed offto Highbury to reconcile with Jane,whom he acknowledges to be muchworthier than him, and who has madehim happier than he deserves.

Frank, blinded by his own carelessconfidence, does not see how deeply hisbehavior has wounded Jane anddamaged their relations. When he finallyrealizes his mistakes, however, Frankdemonstrates that he too is capable oftaking responsibility and the necessaryaction to fix the problems he has made.Frank has a good heart, though perhapsa weak will.

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CHAPTER 51Happily in love as she is, Emma findsherself sympathetic to Frank’s ownblunder-filled love story. The letterleaves her with a much-improvedimpression of him, and she shares itwith Mr. Knightley.

As someone who has made and beenforgiven many blunders herself by herhappy situation, Emma finds herselfcheerfully extending such generosity toFrank’s wrongs against her.

Mr. Knightley, too, softens uponreading Frank’s letter, though he stillfeels Frank’s flaws and hisunworthiness in comparison to Jane.Mr. Knightley then proposes to moveinto Hartfield, in order to avoiddisturbing Mr. Woodhouse with hisdaughter’s marriage. Emma is movedby such a sacrifice on his part, and sheapproves the plan. Her only regret isfor Harriet, whom she feels hasundeservedly suffered.

Mr. Knightley’s happy situation in loveand new knowledge of Emma’sindifference to Frank also renders himmore forgiving towards Frank. His plan tomove into Hartfield demonstrates histhoughtfulness in considering Mr.Woodhouse’s feelings, who now won'thave to "lose" another daughter.

CHAPTER 52Harriet agrees to go to London, as shewishes to consult a dentist. Emma isgrateful for the postponement of apainful meeting between the two. Shethen decides to call on Jane. They donot speak openly of the secretengagement because of Mrs. Elton’spresence, but the visit is passed withmutual consciousness, warmth, andfeeling. As Jane walks Emma out, theyeach apologize and establish theirgood will for the other.

Emma and Jane finally become friends,as each feels she has misbehavedtowards the other and is humbled by theother’s generosity. In their mutualhappiness, they are also full of mutualgood will. Emma is finally able to fullyand selflessly appreciate Jane’s merit,and Jane also seems aware of Emma’skindness.

CHAPTER 53Mrs. Weston gives birth to adaughter, which Emma has beenhoping for. She and Mr. Knightleydiscuss Emma’s own childhood andMrs. Weston’s and Mr. Knightley’sroles in raising Emma. Emma reflectsthat Mr. Knightley’s correctioncountered Mrs. Weston’s spoiling,though Mr. Knightley insists shewould have done as well without him.However, he considers his devotion toher improvement an early sign of hislove for her.

Emma and Mr. Knightley’s discussionabout her childhood allow the novel toconclude with a reflection on Emma’sdevelopment. She has come a long wayfrom the spoiled, snobbish mistress ofHartfield. Her marriage to Knightley, apaternal figure, represents her newlydeveloped humility—though whether thisenhances her strength as a femaleheroine is controversial.

Mr. John Knightley congratulates thecouple by letter; he anticipated Mr.Knightley’s engagement from hisbehavior in London. Emma anxiouslybreaks the news of their engagementto her father. Though initiallydistressed, Mr. Woodhouseeventually accepts it as a settled andeven good affair with the help of Mr.Knightley and Mrs. Weston’spersuasion.

Mr. Woodhouse’s considerable influenceover Emma’s life is somewhat disturbingat the close. Though her consideration ofhis feelings reveals her compassion as adaughter, the restrictions imposed by herfather’s nerves seem excessively limiting.

Mrs. Weston is delighted by the news,as she regards it to be an equal andmutually meritorious “union of thehighest promise of felicity in itself.”Word quickly spreads throughHighbury, and the engagement isgreeted with surprise and generalapproval by all but the Eltons, whosneer over the fate of “poor Mr.Knightley.”

Emma and Mr. Knightley’s engagement isapplauded as a good match, becausethey are equals. The importance of theirmutual fortune, good lineage andconnections in addition to their love foreach other results in an ultimatelyconservative conclusion—an affirmationof class- and character-based affinity asthe foundation of a good marriage.

CHAPTER 54Mr. Knightley arrives with news thatHarriet is to marry Mr. Martin. Emmais greatly surprised, given her ownknowledge of Harriet’s previousfeelings, but she is delighted for herfriend. Freed from her concern forHarriet’s happiness and the need forsecrecy with Mr. Knightley, Emmafeels that her only wish now is to learnfrom her previous mistakes and growmore worthy of Mr. Knightley, “whoseintentions and judgment had beenever so superior to her own.”

Harriet’s decision to finally accept Mr.Martin without consulting Emma showsthat Harriet has also grown during thecourse of the novel. She has learned toheal and seek her own happinessindependent of Emma’s advice. Emma,aware of her wrongs to Harriet, is leftwith the hope that she too will continueto grow from her errors.

At Randalls, Emma and Frank finallyget the opportunity to talk over therecent events. After some initialawkwardness, they congratulate eachother and re-establish their formerwarmth and good will. They both feelthey have been luckier than theydeserved in their respective matches.When Frank is lively and flippantabout the painful past, Jane amusedlyrebukes him, and Emma reflects onMr. Knightley’s superiority to Frank.

Frank’s lively and light manner may beexplained by his happiness in love, but itcannot be completely approved of byJane or Emma. Emma shares similarflaws with Frank, but her sympathies liewith Jane regarding Frank’s behavior.Frank is a bit too unserious, a bit tooflippant, a bit too willing to joke awayserious matters, to ever truly be an equalto someone like Mr. Knightley.

CHAPTER 55Harriet returns to Highbury, herbehavior fully convincing Emma thatMr. Martin has replaced Mr.Knightley in her affections. Emmagreets her with heartfeltcongratulations. In the course ofHarriet’s marriage preparations, she isdiscovered to have been theillegitimate daughter of atradesman—an unsuitable matchindeed for a gentleman. Emmaattends Harriet and Mr. Martin'swedding in September with pleasure,though she feels that their friendshipwill necessarily and gradually diminishbecause of their different socialstations.

Fueled by the revelation of Harriet’slineage, Emma finally comes to approvethe match of Harriet and Mr. Martin,rejoicing in their equality, her friend’sfinancial security, and Mr. Martin’svirtues. Sadly, Emma’s conviction thattheir intimacy must diminish given thechange in her friend’s social circlesreveals she still holds to her prioritizationof social class.

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Jane returns to the Campbells, whereshe and Frank wait for three monthsto pass after Mrs. Churchill’s deathbefore their wedding in November.Emma and Mr. Knightley hope tomarry in October. Mr. Woodhouse’smisery threaten these prospects, butwhen Mrs. Weston’s poultry-house isrobbed, he comes to welcome the ideaof Mr. Knightley in their house as avery good protection. Emma and Mr.Knightley’s wedding is absent of fineryand parade, to the disdain of Mrs.Elton, but all of their intimate friendswitness it with great confidence as tothe union’s lasting happiness.

Though Jane and Frank are engaged tomarry despite some disparity in socialsituation, the novel devotes the finalchapter to the marriages of Harriet andMr. Martin, and Emma and Mr.Knightley—two matches of equalstanding. By focusing on those twomarriages at the end of all the messymisperception and blundering, thenovel’s moral regarding marriages seemsto mirror Emma's own feelings andconservatively advocate openness andequality (in both character and class) asthe key to a good match.

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