GradeSaver: Emma - Study Guide - Full Summary and Analysis

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Summary and Analysis of Chapters 1-7

Chapter One: This chapter introduces the novel's title character and protagonist, Emma Woodhouse, at twenty-one the youngest of two daughters. Her father is an indulgent man, while her mother died long ago, leaving Emma to be brought up by Miss Taylor, a governess who 'fell little short of a mother in affection.' However, at the novel's beginning Miss Taylor has just married Mr. Weston, leaving Emma contemplative and lonely. After the wedding she is alone playing backgammon with her father, a generally disagreeable man who tended to indulge his daughter, when Mr. George Knightly, whose brother had married Emma's elder sister. They discuss how Emma will miss the new Mrs. Weston, while Mr. Woodhouse pities Miss Taylor, absurdly thinking her unhappy to be married and thus separated from the Woodhouse household. Emma tries to take credit for the marriage, claiming that she matched Miss Taylor and Mr. Weston.

Analysis: Within the first few paragraphs of the book, Austen gives the reader an appraisal on Emma Woodhouse. While she is "handsome, clever and rich," she is still spoiled and self-centered, less concerned with Miss Taylor's new happiness than her own loss of a companion. Austen lays out the main 'problem' of the book: Emma must learn to be a better person with greater respect for others. Mr. Woodhouse appears as part of the cause of this: his constant complaints and focus on what he perceives to be his numerous burdens has given him a narrow view of the world that Emma has come to share.

Here we find a view of Emma's world. It is one of leisure, in which she spends time drawing, visiting with friends, or playing games, but more importantly Emma's world is static and orderly. There is little change in Emma's life, and what changes occur, in this case the marriage of Miss Taylor, greatly disturb her. When Emma desires change (as when she suggests that Mr. Elton should be married), it is to set things in greater order.

Emma's viewpoint predominates the novel, and Austen gives her perspective on nearly every event, but it is not the only perspective. The novel is told from the third person, which gives Austen the ability to critique Emma's own behavior. The character Mr. Knightly serves this same purpose. He is the voice of sound judgment in the novel, pointing out where Emma is faulty in judgment or in action. This chapter in fact juxtaposes Mr. Knightly with Mr. Woodhouse. Mr. Knightly represents a sensible view of the world, while Mr. Woodhouse is unduly occupied with his own health and his own feelings and comforts.

Chapter Two: This chapter begins with the story of Mr. Weston, who had married a Miss Churchill, who was of a higher social status than he. It was an unhappy marriage, largely because she lived a life beyond what they could afford. When she died, the Westons had a child whom Mr. Weston sent to live with his late wife's relatives. The child now grown and having adopted the name of those who raised him (Frank Churchill) kept in contact with Mr. Weston, and was considered a curiosity to those in Highbury, the town where the Westons and the Woodhouses reside.

Analysis: An important consideration in Emma and, Jane Austen's novels in general, is social status, particularly when it concerns marriage. Part of the reason that Mr. Weston's first marriage failed is that he married a woman who was accustomed to living a more comfortable life than he could provide. Although the marriage benefits Mr. Weston socially, since he marries a woman more wealthy than he is, he suffers from his wife's inability to lower herself to his level. The story also details some peculiar aspects to marriage and courtship: if parents believe that their son or daughter is not marrying well, they can cut him or her off any inheritance. This foreshadows some of the problems that Frank Churchill will have when he wishes to marry, but Mrs. Churchill (the daughter of the very woman who cut his mother off) opposes it.

Another recurring theme in the novel is the relationship between profession and social status. Mr. Weston is below only the Woodhouses and Mr. Knightly in social rank in Highbury, but this was not always the case. Mr. Weston had to climb the social hierarchy: from the military up to trade, and then finally as the owner of an estate. Other than the nobility, the highest members of British society were people who had owned property and did not have an actual profession. Working, whether as a clergyman or governess or merchant, ensures a lower social rank.

The chapter also details social interactions and propriety. Almost every detail is public. Whatever happens in the course of the novel will reach all of Highbury society: Frank Churchill's letter to his father is passed from person to person, even reaching the lowest orders of society. Austen's descriptions of her characters rely on propriety. Austen makes only the most general remarks on appearance, but goes into great detail on the manners of each of her characters and whether or not it is "proper" (such as whether or not Frank Churchill should visit his father soon).

Chapter Three: This chapter introduces a number of minor characters, including the impoverished Mrs. Bates and Miss Bates, her daughter; Mr. Elton, a local clergyman; Mrs. Goddard, the mistress of a boarding school, and most importantly Harriet Smith, a young girl whom Emma takes under her wing. Emma deems Harriet's acquaintances, farmers by the name of Martin, coarse and inappropriate for Harriet, and decides to improve Harriet.

Analysis: The best and worst of Emma Woodhouse is revealed in her attempts to improve Harriet Smith. She has good intentions toward Harriet and genuinely wishes to help the young lady by introducing her into society and finding her a suitor, but Emma is also meddlesome and condescending. She automatically thinks that the Martins are too common for Harriet. Mr. Knightly, however, thinks very highly of them, despite their profession. This is yet another example of social rank determining the possibility for marriage and courtship.

Yet again, parentage becomes important for determining a character's social status. An important facet of Harriet's character is that she does not know who her family is. This automatically prevents Harriet from assuming a higher place in society.

The chapter also sets up the social hierarchy of Highbury society. The Woodhouses, the Westons and Mr. Knightly are at the top, since they own the large estates. Below them in status is Mr. Elton, who is important in Highbury not because of wealth but because he is the local vicar. Mrs. Bates, as the widow of the former vicar, also retains some status. At the lowest rung of society are single women such as Harriet Smith and Miss Bates. Miss Bates takes part in social functions because of her mother, but the only reason that Harriet is allowed among the better persons of Highbury is Emma. Since Emma is at the top of Highbury society, she can determine who is included.

Chapter Four: Emma introduces Harriet Smith into her social circle, using her as a companion to replace Mrs. Weston. Harriet can tell Emma little about her parents, for Mrs. Goddard has told her little. Emma begins to realize that among the Martins there is a son who has a romantic interest in Harriet. By asking Harriet questions about Mr. Martin, she attempts to belittle him as uneducated, not handsome, and too young to marry. After Emma briefly meets Mr. Martin, she tells Harriet outright that he is remarkably plain and clownish. She tells Harriet to compare him to better men such as Mr. Weston or Mr. Elton. Emma decides that Mr. Elton would suit Harriet, for he did not have low connections but did not have a family who would object to Harriet's doubtful birth.

Analysis: Harriet Smith reveals herself to be the perfect case for Emma. Harriet is impressionable and naïve, and she dotes upon Emma. She serves a particular role to Emma: she replaces Mrs. Weston as a companion, but unlike Mrs. Weston, she will not criticize Emma or attempt to improve her. The sweet but gullible Harriet Smith instead flatters Emma in every regard. Emma chooses Harriet as a friend precisely because of her difference from Mrs. Weston. Since she cannot replace Mrs. Weston, she decides to find a different sort of relationship. Instead of finding another teacher, Emma finds a student of her own.

The reason that Emma gives to dissuade Harriet Smith from a romance with Robert Martin is significant. He lacks proper manners, with his "awkward look," "abrupt manner" and "uncouthness of a voice." She does this through contrast: Robert Martin lacks what Mr. Knightly or Mr. Weston or Mr. Elton have. But for Emma, 'manners' actually mean status. She disapproves of Robert Martin before she has even met him and only knows that he is a farmer.

This also brings up a recurring theme in the book: the relationship between status and manners. She claims that Mr. Knightly and Mr. Elton have manners that befit their social situation. Each place in society has manners that are proper to it: behavior that might be acceptable to a woman such as Emma might not be appropriate for a woman such as Harriet Smith.

Chapter Five: Mr. Knightly discusses with Mrs. Weston how he disapproves of Emma's friendship with Harriet Smith. Mrs. Weston believes that it will be good for both of their education. Mr. Knightly claims that Harriet will do nothing to stimulate Emma intellectually and will do nothing but flatter her. Mr. Knightly tells Mrs. Weston that her job as a governess prepared her well to be a wife, for it trained her to submit her own will. Still, he praises Emma for her beauty when Mrs. Weston presses him.

Analysis: Mr. Knightly serves a particular purpose in the novel. He more than any other character represents the author's views on each character. In this chapter he serves to point out Emma's flaws, an action that he will repeat consistently throughout the novel. This hints at later developments: Mr. Knightly is greatly concerned with Emma's behavior, and this interest seems more than just casual and friendly.

Therefore when Mr. Knightly tells Mrs. Weston and Emma that Harriet Smith is not an appropriate friend for Emma, this must be taken as foreshadowing. The harm in the friendship is that Harriet will flatter Emma and indulge her worst qualities, while Emma will teach Harriet to be so refined that she will not fit among her true social equals. Again, status becomes important: Harriet, given her suspicious birth and upbringing, must know her low place in society. A friendship with the woman at the center of Highbury society will only confuse the young girl.

Mr. Knightly makes an important comment to Emma about how she prepared Mrs. Weston for marriage by making Mrs. Weston submit to Emma's wishes. This highlights the role of a wife in marriage as completely subservient to the husband, and indicates how exceptional Emma is in her circumstances. Emma, because of her fortune and status, has the power of a married man and must submit to no one's wishes. If she did marry, she would have to give up a great deal of her independence.

Chapter Six: Emma speaks to Mr. Elton about Harriet Smith, but for every compliment he gives Harriet, Mr. Elton gives Emma the credit. Emma decides to draw a portrait of Harriet Smith for Mr. Elton, even though he seems more interested in having a picture by Emma Woodhouse than of Harriet Smith. While Emma draws Harriet, Mr. Elton fidgets behind her. When Emma completes the picture of Harriet Smith, Mr. Weston and Mr. Knightly note how Emma has improved Harriet's appearance, giving her better features and making her taller. Mr. Elton takes the picture to London so that it can be framed.

Analysis: This chapter rests on situational irony. Harriet Smith is interested in Mr. Elton, but Mr. Elton is interested in Emma, the woman who is attempting to set up the two. It also creates a number of ambiguities. Mr. Elton gladly accepts the portrait, but is not clear whether or not he cherishes it for the subject (Harriet) or the artist (Emma). Certain qualities in both Emma and Harriet Smith allow this delusion to continue. Emma has idealized both Harriet and Mr. Elton in her attempts to play matchmaker, and she cannot presume that her plans would ever go awry. Harriet, in turn, is so trusting that she cannot see the signals that Mr. Elton gives. At this point it is unclear whether or not Mr. Elton is aware of the circumstances, but that point is critical. He does know that he is in their company for the purpose of courtship. But, if he knows that Emma intends him for Harriet and not herself, then he is deliberately and cruelly manipulating Harriet Smith.

The chapter also reinforces the life of leisure that Emma Woodhouse lives. She spends her days working on a portrait of Harriet Smith. Yet also interesting is that the others also have a similar life of leisure, even though Harriet does not have Emma's resources, and Mr. Elton actually has a career. Austen never shows Mr. Elton actually at work or considering his duties at the parish.

Chapter Seven: Mr. Martin sends a proposal of marriage to Harriet Smith. Although Emma finds that the letter containing the proposal is better than she expected, she speaks ill of him to Harriet (she says that one of his sisters must have written it). Emma dissuades Harriet from accepting the proposal, claiming that a woman should always say no if there is even the slightest doubt. Harriet is disappointed to turn Mr. Martin down, but she cedes to Emma's wishes. When she tells Emma that she is thinking about Mr. Martin, she tells her to think instead of how Mr. Elton is in London getting her portrait framed.

Analysis: Emma continues to disparage Robert Martin because of his lack of manners, but considering evidence to the contrary (his well-written letter), she still reinforces the idea that he is uncouth to Harriet. The idea that one of his sisters wrote the letter is absurd (in Austen's England, it is highly unlikely that a woman of the Martin's status would receive an education greater than her brother), and Emma promoting the idea is borderline malicious. Emma's interest is not in Robert Martin's manners, but his status.

The chapter also reinforces the dynamics of Emma's relationship with Harriet Smith. Harriet depends on Emma for all of her opinions and decisions. She cannot decide whether or not to marry Robert Martin without asking Emma, and constantly asks Emma whether or not she is right. They have a friendship, but it is not one between equals.

It is particularly important that Harriet Smith asks Emma her opinion on the proposal when Harriet obviously has her own concrete opinion on the matter. She has some doubt, but is so obviously disappointed when Emma advises her to reject Robert Martin that it is clear she wishes to marry him. Still, Harriet does not have the strength to go against Emma's opinion.

Summary and Analysis of Chapters 8-14

Chapter Eight: Harriet slept at Hartfield, the Woodhouse estate, that night, as she had done frequently. Mr. Knightly, speaking alone with Emma, credits her with improving Harriet, curing her of her schoolgirl temperament. When Mr. Knightly tells Emma that he suspects that Mr. Martin will propose soon, Emma tells him how Harriet turned him down. Mr. Knightly is furious, thinking that Harriet is a simpleton for refusing. He claims that Mr. Martin is Harriet's superior, for while he is settled, she is a girl not at all sensible and with dubious origins. Emma claims that she is superior and thinks that Harriet's parents must certainly be gentility. Mr. Knightly dismisses the idea of Harriet and Mr. Elton.

Analysis: The revelation that Harriet is a constant guest at Hartfield strikes a discordant note. It indicates that Harriet may think of herself as a resident of Hartfield, which would obviously accord her greater status than she deserves. This demonstrates that what Mr. Knightly predicted is coming true: Harriet is coming to think of herself as too high in status. For Mr. Knightly, the best of example of this is that Harriet turned down Robert Martin. When he thinks that Harriet will marry Robert Martin, he gives Emma credit for improving Harriet. This is the first compliment that he gives to Harriet Smith, but he soon retracts it when he hears of her rejection. And since Mr. Knightly serves as Austen's voice of reason in the novel, this makes it clear that, because of Emma, Harriet has made a mistake.

Again, class is the primary consideration for marriage. Because Harriet does not know her parentage, she is unlikely to marry well, and she must rely on a husband to ensure her a place in society. Emma's great fault is making Harriet Smith believe that she can expect a man of higher status than she can actually claim. This ties in with her matchmaking with Mr. Elton, who is, if not as high as the Woodhouses or Mr. Knightly, nevertheless much higher than Harriet Smith. Mr. Knightly thinks that Mr. Martin is a good match for Harriet because he is close to her rank, but not below, as Emma suggested, but above. He makes a decent living as a farmer, and there is not the air of mystery around him that arouses suspicion toward Harriet Smith.

When Mr. Knightly and Emma discuss Harriet's possibilities for marriage, they specifically do not mention love. For the characters in novel, the primary consideration is marrying for status and for security, not for any great romantic considerations. Mr. Knightly feels that Harriet should marry Robert Martin because he would provide for her and give her an acceptable (if somewhat low) place. He also mentions that Mr. Elton, in contrast, will want to marry someone who will ensure his place in society: he will want a woman who will bring him respectability through her status, and financial security through her dowry. This gives some explanation for his interest in Emma. He may want to marry her for her money, and not for love.

Chapter Nine: Mr. Elton gives Emma a poem seemingly intended for Harriet, which when its riddle is deciphered seems to be a love poem to Harriet. This convinces Emma of Mr. Elton's intentions toward Harriet. Emma continues to advise Harriet Smith on romantic matters, telling her to not betray her feelings to Mr. Elton. Mr. Woodhouse tells Emma and Harriet that Isabella (Emma's sister) and her family will come to Hartfield soon.

Analysis: Once again Mr. Elton makes a romantic overture that is directed to an ambiguous source. The poem he writes is intended for Harriet Smith's collection, yet he shows it to Emma. The poem is a riddle with the answer 'courtship.' Manners provide some obstacle to resolving the situation. Since nothing can be openly declared, both Emma and Harriet must rely on the subtle clues that Mr. Elton gives. He can write a private riddle with the solution 'courtship,' but he cannot discuss the actual topic with either woman.

Games and riddles dominate this chapter of the novel, apt metaphors for Mr. Elton's courtship tactics. The title of the poem is "Charade," and its solution is romance. And in this situation Mr. Elton is deliberately engaged in a charade. He now seems quite aware of Emma's intentions and plays along with them to remain close to Emma. He uses a number of means (pronouns with an ambiguous meaning, conditional clauses that indicate his intentions without expressly saying them) to obscure the situation. His actions are certainly deliberate.

The chapter also reinforces the idea that the friendship between Emma and Harriet Smith does neither much good. Austen notes that Emma has done little reading since she became close with Harriet, and that all of their attempts to improve their minds ended with no effect. Furthermore, she gives another reminder that Harriet is intellectually inferior to Emma when they attempt to solve the riddle. Harriet gives only absurd answers, while Emma easily guesses the answer.

Chapter Ten: Emma makes a charitable visit to a poor sick family outside Highbury. Emma tells Harriet that she never wishes to be married, for she would have to find someone superior to herself first. She reminds Harriet that, even unmarried, she would never be as pathetic as Miss Bates, for it is lack of money that makes celibacy contemptible. Emma would be single but with a fortune. Harriet brings up Jane Fairfax, Miss Bates' niece, whom Emma dislikes because she is so highly praised. Emma continues to contrive a romance between Harriet and Mr. Elton

Analysis: The reason that Emma is unmarried becomes clear in this chapter. As a highly independent woman who will never need to marry, she resolves only to marry for love and only to marry when she finds someone superior, a condition that, considering Emma's own vanity, is unlikely to be fully satisfied. Marriage entails a sacrifice. Emma would lose her authority and have to submit to a husband, while as a single woman with a fortune, she has the power to do whatever she chooses. This chapter also returns to Austen's distinctions between marriage for love and marriage for status. It is only the very few such as Emma Woodhouse who can marry for love, while status must be the overriding concern for women such as Harriet Smith. Austen also contrasts the reputations of single women Emma Woodhouse and Miss Bates. Because of Emma's status, she can remain unmarried without becoming the pitiable and pathetic creature that Miss Bates is.

Mrs. Bates and Miss Bates are comic relief in Emma. Miss Bates chatters on about any topic, incessantly. Yet Austen also makes it clear that these women deserve pity and compassion. That is the reason why Emma frequently visits the Bates family. It is certainly not, as Emma makes clear, out of any particular regard for the two women.

The introduction of the character Jane Fairfax gives some dimension to Emma's vanity. With all of the praise that others afford Jane, she is the equal of Emma. Therefore Emma cannot bear to hear her name mentioned, for she is equal to Emma in most respects.

Chapter Eleven: Mr. John and Mrs. Isabella Knightly visit her father and sister at Hartfield. They discuss Frank Churchill, noting that he has not yet visited the Westons since they were married. Mr. John Knightly, when discussing the Westons, reminds Emma that she is not a wife, and says that few think highly of the Churchill family. Emma wishes to contradict John, thinking that his comments reflect badly on Mr. Weston, but wishes to instead keep the peace.

Analysis: John Knightly's pointed remark about Emma's marital status is yet another reminder that Emma likely has more power as a single woman with a fortune than as a married one who must submit to a husband. While Emma often seems petty and self-centered in her dealings with Harriet Smith and Mr. Knightly, here she reveals herself to be more honorable, letting her brother-in-law's rude comments about Mr. Weston's social activities pass in order to keep the peace. She behaves with propriety, .

Once again, manners define the value of each character. The first descriptions of Mr. John Knightly and his wife mention their manners. While Isabella's manners are acceptable, her husband's are too reserved to be pleasing, and he is too judgmental towards other's behavior. He criticizes Frank Churchill for qualities without possibly knowing whether he possesses these negative qualities.

This chapter also returns to the story of Frank Churchill, foreshadowing that he will soon play an important place in the novel. That he has not yet visited his father since his marriage is an affront to propriety. However, since there is every indication that he has proper manners, there must be a reason that why he has not visited Highbury.

Chapter Twelve: Emma decides that Mr. George Knightly must dine with them upon his brother's visit, as a means that Emma and he may be reconciled. She refuses to concede, but wishes to restore their friendship. Isabella mentions Jane Fairfax in conversation, claiming that only she could be as accomplished and superior as Emma, a more suitable companion than Harriet Smith.

Analysis: Despite Emma's numerous faults, she has a near-faultless sense of politeness and decorum. She will not admit that she was wrong concerning Harriet Smith and Robert Martin, but her stubbornness is not enough to prevent her long-standing friendship with Mr. Knightly.

Austen includes some discussion of travel and social activities. Isabella and her husband travel a great deal, which is a stark contrast to Emma, who admits that she has never even seen the ocean. Her father never travels, which is to be expected considering his anxiety over his health, but it is peculiar that Emma never leaves Highbury, when there are numerous instances when other characters do travel often. Perhaps Emma never leaves Highbury because there is no need: she has everything she desires there.

This chapter is also significant for the mention of Jane Fairfax, whose talents and bearing will be a continual aggravation to Emma, who cannot bear to hear of a woman who may be her equal. Austen contrasts the ideal Jane Fairfax, who would be Emma's intellectual match, with Harriet Smith, who will only flatter Emma. Significantly, only Mr. Woodhouse, who refuses to think badly of his daughter under any circumstances, thinks that Harriet is a perfect friend for Emma.

Chapter Thirteen: Mr. Weston invites members of Highbury society to dine with his family at Randalls on Christmas Eve. Although Harriet Smith is invited, she cannot attend because of a cold. Despite Emma's reluctance, Mr. Elton still resolves to attend. Mr. John Knightly comments to Emma how Mr. Elton seems infatuated with her. Mr. Woodhouse attends the party, despite inclement weather that would usually force his absence still, he remains unpleasant and anxious. Emma is displeased that Mr. Elton seems unaffected by Harriet's absence.

Analysis: Emma Woodhouse finally realizes that Mr. Elton has no interest in Harriet Smith and instead is infatuated with Emma herself, but it takes Mr. John Knightly for her to realize this. Like his brother, Mr. John Knightly serves to shatter Emma's delusions, but in his manner he differs sharply. While Mr. Knightly has impeccable taste and manners, Mr. John Knightly is abrupt and direct. When Emma realizes that Mr. Elton is interested in her, her opinion of him worsens considerably. She begins to realize his flaws, most importantly that he is too eager to please when it concerns women.

Chapter Fourteen: During her visit with the Westons, Mr. Elton continually attempts to be near Emma, who still hoped that she could fix the situation with Harriet Smith. When Emma hears about Frank Churchill, she thinks that if she were to marry, Frank might suit her in age, character and condition.

Analysis: At the Weston's Christmas Eve party, Emma suffers from her two companions. Mr. Elton is too eager to please, while Mr. John Knightly is completely unwilling to please. Despite her growing dislike for Mr. Elton, she remains civil to him, still holding some hope that she can fix the situation. Yet again, Emma demonstrates her best trait. She can bear any slight or inconvenience without making a mistake in etiquette.

This is the first part of the novel in which Emma actually considers marriage for herself. It is significant that even Emma, who can presumably marry anyone she wants, thinks of marriage in practical terms. Her considerations are age, character and condition, essentially, the same status considerations that other women must take into account. At no point does Austen mention love. It is even more striking that Emma decides that Frank Churchill would be a suitable husband without even having met the man. She knows what she needs to know already: his age, his status, and his familial connections. Other information is secondary.

Frank Churchill's story echoes that of his late mother. The Churchill family exerted great control and influence over their daughter, cutting her off when she disobeyed their wishes by marrying Mr. Weston. Similarly, Frank Churchill's aunt (who raised him) is very demanding, and seems to prevent him from visiting his father. Some bitterness remains from Mr. Weston's first marriage, and thus the Churchill family wishes to keep Frank from him when at all possible.

Summary and Analysis of Chapters 15-21

Chapter Fifteen: Mr. Elton asks Emma about Harriet Smith's illness, but it seemed as if he were more concerned that Emma might possibly fall sick. By the end of the visit with the Westons Mr. Woodhouse is in an ill temper. It has started to snow, and Mr. Woodhouse feared that they would be unable to leave Randalls. The snow, however, subsides and carriages are brought to take the guests home. Emma finds herself in the same carriage as Mr. Elton, who professes his love for her. When Emma brings up Harriet Smith, he disparages her for her low level, and reminds Emma that he only spent time with Harriet when Emma was near and claims that Emma gave him encouragement.
Analysis: This chapter contains some sharp insights into the social life in Austen's England. A light snow is enough to keep the guests of the Westons from possibly leaving, and to walk in such weather, as Isabella suggests that she could do, is unthinkable. Travel, even between two relatively close estates, can be arduous if conditions are not perfect.
Mr. Elton reveals himself to be far less sympathetic than before. When he contrives to be in the same carriage with Emma, he arranges a very private encounter with her outside of normally accepted social space. This is the first instance in the novel in which Emma is alone with a man (whenever Mr. Knightly visits, her father is always nearby), and the enclosed space of the carriage heightens the intimacy of the encounter. His protestations to Emma show that he deliberately feigned an interest in Harriet to be close to Emma, and his quick dismissal of Harriet as not of his rank shows a petty snobbery.
However, his quick dismissal of Harriet Smith for her status recalls similar objections that Emma herself made in regards to Harriet and Robert Martin. What Emma finds acceptable behavior for Harriet she finds unacceptable for Mr. Elton. This turn of events is a perfect ironic retribution for Emma's earlier actions. The concern for status and breeding that Emma used as a weapon for Harriet Smith against Robert Martin she now finds used against her.
Chapter Sixteen: The next day, Emma was miserable that she was so deceived by Mr. Elton, and realizes how she failed to see Mr. Elton's obvious attraction to her. Emma realizes that the situation is her fault, for she tried to meddle in Harriet's and Mr. Elton's affairs. Mr. Knightly, despite the inclement weather, visits Hartfield that Christmas day.
Analysis: Emma is upset about Mr. Elton's behavior towards her for several reasons. The first and most obvious reason is that it humiliates Harriet Smith, and Emma has the burden of telling Harriet that Mr. Elton never had the slightest care for her. The second relates to Mr. Elton's motives for pursuing Emma. Among the objections that Emma has to Mr. Elton is that his devotion to her is apparently fiscal. He so desperately wanted to move up in society, and a marriage to Emma, a heiress with a large fortune, would certain enrich him.
Emma is insulted that a person as low as Mr. Elton would consider himself fit for her. This demonstrates some arrogance, for Mr. Elton is too low for Emma but good enough for her close friend. She dismisses Mr. Elton because he doesn't come from a reputable family, the same reason that he rejects Harriet Smith. Also, the qualities that Emma finds objectionable in Mr. Elton he is "proud, assuming, conceited; very full of his own claims" are the very qualities that she instills in Harriet.
Still, even Austen makes some distinction between what Mr. Elton does and what Emma attempts to do for Harriet. Mr. Elton uses Harriet's attentions to get to Emma, and behaves with no sense of polite manners (as when he expresses his feelings in the carriage). Emma, Harriet and Mr. Elton may have the same reasons for pursuing and rejecting suitors, but the two women behave with tact, while Mr. Elton is manipulative and rude.
Yet another reason why Emma is upset is that her plans go awry. Emma wishes everything to be orderly, and in this situation nothing has gone as she planned. Nevertheless, Emma shows some newfound signs of maturity. She accepts the blame for the situation and realizes how she erred. And Emma does concede that both Mr. Knightly and his brother were correct in their appraisal of the situation. Mr. Knightly
Chapter Seventeen: Mr. and Mrs. John Knightly soon left Highbury, as did Mr. Elton, who, to Emma's great relief, went to Bath. Emma resolves to tell Harriet Smith about Mr. Elton's behavior. Harriet bears the news well, blaming nobody. Emma realizes that Harriet is in fact her superior, for she is artless and sincere in her emotions, and also realizes that Harriet was more resolutely in love with Mr. Elton than she had foreseen.
Analysis: In this chapter, Jane Austen contrasts Emma and Harriet in a different manner than she has previously. The earlier distinction between the two is that while Emma has fortune, wit and talents, Harriet is gullible and foolish. Yet Austen makes clear that Harriet Smith has her shadings. The young girl is unspoiled. She is sincere and has a pure heart, and she has no pretenses or affections. This does relate back to Mr. Knightly's earlier warnings about Emma's influence on Harriet. Might Emma cause Harriet to lose those qualities that make her, in some small way, Emma's equal? The contrast between Emma and Harriet causes Emma to question her own value. This is not a minor point: for the first time Emma begins to realize that she may lack some quality.
It is also notable that Mr. Elton leaves Highbury so soon after Emma rejects him. There are a number of possible motives for this, including embarrassment. However, his claim that he will visit friends during his absence leads back to an earlier comment by Mr. Knightly, who suspected that Mr. Elton already had a romantic attachment to a young lady who lived elsewhere. The purpose of the trip may be to secure that relationship.
Chapter Eighteen: The Westons are disappointed that Frank Churchill did not come to Highbury, postponing his visit once again. Mr. Knightly feels that the Churchills are to blame for Frank's absence, likely keeping him away, but Frank is nevertheless a grown, independent man who can do as he wishes. He feels that Frank Churchill is more interested in leisure activities. Emma argues with Mr. Knightly, claiming that going against the Churchills' wishes would be impractical. Emma defends Frank Churchill at nearly every opportunity. Mr. Knightly predicts that Frank Churchill will turn out to be insufferable.
Analysis: Without having met Frank Churchill, Emma has already decided that he is a wonderful person. When she quarrels with Mr. Knightly about Frank, she automatically assumes that Frank has good intentions and is perfectly honorable. Mr. Knightly, in contrast, suspects Frank Churchill. Since Mr. Knightly tends to echo Austen's own views and predict character flaws, his objections must raise some doubt about Frank Churchill. Whatever influence that the Churchills have on Frank, he is a grown man and can make decisions for himself. The Churchills can only do so much to prevent him from visiting his father.
Once again, the issues of social status and decorum are important considerations. Mr. Knightly assumes that one of the Churchills' great mistakes with Frank is making him believe that he is above his actual connections, too proud, luxurious and selfish for his status in society. Frank Churchill therefore joins Harriet Smith and Mr. Elton as characters chastised for not knowing their proper place in society. In addition, Mr. Knightly claims that Frank Churchill may lead a somewhat disreputable life dedicated only to the pursuit of pleasure. In other words, he does not behave with the sense of honor and decency that a man of his situation should.
Chapter Nineteen: Emma and Harriet call upon Mrs. and Miss Bates, despite their low status in society. Miss Bates speaks incessantly and pointlessly, but Emma behaves with exemplary manners, even asking about Jane Fairfax when Miss Bates mentions her. Miss Bates received a letter from Jane, who intends to visit next week. She will be sent by the Campbells, her patrons. Emma gets some idea that Jane Fairfax is involved with a Mr. Dixon.
Analysis: Emma's mistakes with regard to Harriet Smith have led her to greater self-examination. For the first time Emma begins to consider her own faults and attempts to improve them. When she visits the Bates, this is an attempt to correct one of these faults, that she is negligent towards Mrs. and Miss Bates, who depend on the compassion of the higher members of Highbury society. Once again, it is Mr. Knightly who has pointed out this flaw in Emma. He is certainly the only one who has both the status and temperament to challenge her.
Miss Bates resembles Harriet Smith in a number of respects. Both are women at the fringes of society who depend on the goodwill of others. Both are limited in wit and imagination, and appear absurd when they attempt to show any degree of taste of judgment. However, with her grating, incessant chatter, Miss Bates is primarily comic relief. Whatever pity Austen has for Miss Bates is abstract and relates only to her social status: one should pity Miss Bates because she is a spinster with little income, not because of any intrinsic qualities. Harriet Smith, in contrast, is a more rounded character with greater shadings. Austen grants her some dignity, as when Emma remarks about how Harriet is superior for her sincerity.
Once again, the mention of Jane Fairfax serves as reminder of Emma's vanity. To satisfy Emma's jealousy towards Jane, she invents the idea that Jane may be involved with some illicit affair with a married man. This is not a well-supported notion, but it does instill the idea that Jane Fairfax may be involved in some secretive arrangement.
Chapter Twenty: This chapter tells the story of Jane Fairfax, the granddaughter of Mrs. Bates, whose mother died when Jane was a small child. Jane was brought up by the Campbells, for Colonel Campbell had served in the army with Jane's late father, and the young girl had been well educated and now was superior in beauty and acquirements. Emma was sorry to have Jane Fairfax visit, although Emma's dislike is truly unfounded. When Jane visits, Emma is polite to her, despite her jealousy, and she even gains some minor information about Frank Churchill from Jane, who has met him.
Analysis: Jane Fairfax is an exemplar of the self-made woman, whose high regard in society come not from her familial connections with the lowly Bates but from her talents and charm. Except for status, she equals Emma in every respect, and it is Emma's competitive nature that causes her to dislike Jane, assuming negative qualities where none may actually exist. Yet in their respective fates Emma and Jane Fairfax differ considerably. Jane Fairfax must enter a profession as a governess, a condition that requires her to sacrifice all of the pleasures of her life with the Campbells, while Emma will retain her life of leisure and luxury under all but the most extreme circumstances.
One of the major functions that Jane Fairfax serves in the novel is as a juxtaposition against the other characters. Although equal to Emma in all regards, she lacks status. This serves as a reminder that it is not Emma's sharp intelligence or talents that ultimately make her the head of Highbury society, but instead her family and fortune. And while her lack of a solid familial standing gives her a similar status to Harriet Smith, Jane Fairfax is poised, talented and refined. It is she who deserves to marry higher in society and to be Emma's closest companion, yet Emma's inability to be anything less than the center of attention makes this impossible.
Also notable are the parallels between Jane Fairfax and Frank Churchill, which Austen reinforces when Jane says that she has met the elusive Frank. Both are somewhat mysterious visitors connected to Highbury society through familial connections, but were raised outside of it by more elite families after their mothers had died. They share the ambiguity of belonging to one social group by birth but residing within a higher one by breeding.
Chapter Twenty-One: Mr. Knightly compliments Emma on how well she treated Jane Fairfax when they dined together. As Mr. Knightly tells Emma that he has news for her, Miss Bates and Jane Fairfax interrupt them. Jane thanks Emma for the hind-quarter of pork that she had sent to her, and tells Emma that Mr. Elton is to be married to a Miss Hawkins from Bath. Emma assumes that Mr. Elton's acquaintance with Miss Hawkins must not be very long. Later, Harriet comes to Highbury in the rain, with news that she saw Robert Martin and his sister, Elizabeth, while shopping at Ford's, the Highbury linen shop. They were polite to each other, but Harriet was extremely embarrassed. Emma seems relieved that Harriet has little opportunity for contact with the Martins.
Analysis: This chapter continues with the juxtaposition of Mr. Woodhouse and Mr. Knightly with regard to Emma. While the former has an incredibly idealized picture of Emma, even going as far as to praise her for deep kindness towards Jane Fairfax, the latter is realistic and perceptive. Although he compliments Emma for treating Jane Fairfax kindly when they dined together, he indicates that he is aware of Emma's true jealousy towards Jane Fairfax. Yet again, Emma has demonstrated great tact and manners toward a person she dislikes or disapproves of.
Also, it is important to note that Emma has sent a hind-quarter of pork to Mrs. and Miss Bates. This is charity work, one of the major duties that the highborn Emma has toward the rest of society.
In this chapter both of Harriet Smith's prospective suitors return to some prominence in the plot, and both serve as embarrassments. Mr. Elton's imminent marriage to Miss Hawkins demonstrates the true reason for his vacation from Highbury and confirms what Mr. Knightly had suspected was true. He did have a prospective marriage possibility elsewhere, and immediately set upon this prospect once he realized that he could not have Emma. Harriet must now think of how badly Mr. Elton treated her and how badly she treated Robert Martin, yet there is a crucial difference. The supposedly coarse Martins remain kind and cordial, honorable where Mr. Elton was deceptive.
Nevertheless, despite how kind the Martins remain to Harriet Smith, Emma has not moved past her prejudice against them and is relieved that they are unlikely to have much contact with Harriet.

Summary and Analysis of Chapters 22-28

Chapter Twenty-two: Not a week after Miss Augusta Hawkins' name had been mentioned among Highbury she had already been revealed to be handsome, elegant, accomplished and highly amicable, although Emma notes that she has no truly respectable family connections. Mr. Elton returns to Highbury with renewed spirits. He was to be married soon, for the wedding required little planning. Harriet worsens upon Mr. Elton's return, although she has now resumed contact with Elizabeth Martin. Emma suggests that Harriet visit the Martins out of considerations for propriety.
Analysis: Wealth is the primary motive for Mr. Elton's marriage to Miss Hawkins. She has a fortune that she brings to the marriage, but certainly not the social status that Emma has. It is here that Austen makes the distinction between wealth and status. Miss Hawkins is certainly wealth, but the source of this wealth is important. Her family's fortune comes from the somewhat disreputable trade industry, not from the ownership of property, which is the source of the income for the Woodhouses and Mr. Knightly.
For the first time, Emma assents to Harriet's contact with the Martins. It is significant that Harriet is so dependent upon Emma for her decisions, virtually unable to decide anything without first checking with her friend. In addition, Harriet's preoccupation with Mr. Elton borders on obsession. She has a limited attention span. If she does not think or speak about Mr. Elton, the subject is Mr. Martin. This provides part of the reason that Emma suggests that Harriet visit the Martins. It will give her an opportunity to think of something other than the tiresome Mr. Elton. An additional concern, as always, is propriety. Whatever embarrassment there may be between Harriet and the Martin family, she must be kind and civil to them and treat them with decency.
Chapter Twenty-three: Harriet details to Emma the circumstances of her visit with the Martins. To distract her from the business of Harriet, the Martins and Mr. Elton, she visits the Westons. Frank Churchill, a very good looking man, finally arrives in Highbury. Emma immediately likes him, for he is quite charming and well spoken. Emma, Mr. Woodhouse and the Westons socialize with Frank Churchill, and Emma is pleased by the beginning of this acquaintance.
Analysis: Through Harriet's long tale of her visit with Robert Martin, Austen gives some insight into Harriet's limited imagination. The mere sight of a trunk that will be delivered to Mr. Elton disturbs poor Harriet and ruins her visit to the Martins. This reaches past mere shame and mourning over Harriet's unsuccessful courtship with Mr. Elton and absolves Emma of some blame for her pain. Emma may have attempted to design a romance between Harriet and Mr. Elton, but by this point it is Harriet's duty to let go of her obsessive pain.
Frank Churchill's final arrival at Highbury exhibits little substantial information about the young man, who remains a mystery. More significant is that, despite this lack of any more tangible information, Emma is quite pleased with Frank. She knows that she will like Frank at first sight, when he has had no opportunity to exhibit any personal qualities, positive or negative, and she takes every minor shading to his personality as an example of his excellence, just as she earlier idealized Harriet Smith and Mr. Elton when she had designs for them.
Although the two plotlines have no apparent connection, Austen continues to tie together Jane Fairfax and Frank Churchill. Since there is little reason for the two plotlines to connect with one another, this must be taken as foreshadowing for later developments between the two characters.
Chapter Twenty-four: Frank Churchill and Mrs. Weston visit Emma, who decides that Frank Churchill could not have been voluntarily refusing to visit his father and that Mr. Knightly was wrong about him. Frank wishes to visit the home of his father's father, proving this to Emma. When visiting the Crown Inn and seeing its ballroom, Frank suggests to Emma that she, with her resources, should hold dances there. Surprisingly, Frank disparages Jane Fairfax to Emma, who defends her. While they shop for gloves at Ford's, Frank tells Emma more about Jane Fairfax and how she is destined to be a teacher. He even mentions Mr. Dixon. Emma believes Frank to be more moderate and warmer than she expected, less a spoiled child of fortune.
Analysis: Frank Churchill reveals himself to be more complicated than Emma originally imagined in this chapter, more interested in his family and Highbury society and also more intelligent and engaging. This seems to confirm suspicions that Frank Churchill was kept from Highbury through his aunt's influence. Yet one must take into account perspective: these positive shadings to his character are taken from Emma's eyes and not those of a more objective or authoritative source such as Mr. Knightly. Emma seems to take every detail of his personality to be a credit to him; even when he makes a catty comment, it is about the one person with whom Emma competes. This seems to echo Mr. Elton's earlier manipulation of Emma. Frank Churchill flatters her vanity, but in a more subtle way, by disparaging the one person for whom Emma holds any jealousy.
Also, Frank Churchill's comments seem to presume a knowledge of Jane Fairfax that goes beyond mild acquaintance. Earlier comments connecting the two indicated that they had met each other only briefly, but Frank Churchill knows a considerable deal about Jane Fairfax, even the gossip about Mr. Dixon. This foreshadows later developments: what does Frank know about Jane Fairfax, and how does he know it?
Chapter Twenty-five: Emma's good opinion of Frank Churchill is shaken when she hears that, on an impulse, he has gone to London simply to get a haircut. The Coles, a family of low origin involved in trade, invite the better families of Highbury to dine with them. Although Emma thinks that this is an affront to her high place in society she should decide her social circle and not have it decided for her she accepts the invitation.
Analysis: Frank Churchill's trip to London for a haircut reveals a suspicious arrogancetravel is difficult, and to go to London simply for a haircut is an immense waste of time and resourcesbut Emma thinks only slightly less of him for it. Austen, however, gives a more negative appraisal. His actions show "vanity, extravagance, love of change, restlessness of temper." Emma is relentlessly forgiving of Frank Churchill. She made up her mind that she would like him, and perhaps marry him, far before she actually met him, and vain, indulgent actions such as this are downplayed or ignored. This resembles how she ignored Mr. Elton's faults until it was too late. However, in this situation it is Emma herself, not Harriet Smith, who risks humiliation and heartbreak. Austen, however, gives a more negative appraisal. His actions show "vanity, extravagance, love of change, restlessness of temper."
The Coles' party indicates how social life in Highbury is stratified. The Cole family may be wealthy, but they are involved in trade, a less acceptable profession and thus should not presume to set the terms under which they interact with the higher members of their society (the Woodhouses, Mr. Knightly, the Westons). The chapter also returns to the idea that different segments of society have different forms of acceptable behavior: Emma is at its peak, and thus must consider how she treats others leaving the Coles' party early would be an embarrassment to them. The Coles, in contrast, must know that they cannot presume to set social functions for their superiors, and must wait for the Woodhouses, Westons and Mr. Knightly to reach out to them.
Chapter Twenty-six: Frank Churchill returned from London, unashamed of what he had done. At the Coles' party, Mrs. Cole tells how Jane Fairfax received a new piano from an unknown source. Frank Churchill is obviously amused by the story. Emma tells Frank that she suspects it is a gift from Mrs. Dixon, and Frank tells her that Mr. Dixon likely has something to do with it as well. He suggests to Emma that Mr. Dixon has fallen in love with her, and that is why she chose to come to Highbury instead of accompanying the Campbells to Ireland. He also tells how Mr. Dixon saved Jane Fairfax's life when she nearly fell overboard during a water party. Frank mentions to Emma that Mr. Knightly must have provided a carriage to transport Jane Fairfax and Miss Bates to the party. Emma becomes upset when she thinks this may indicate that Mr. Knightly intends to marry Jane Fairfax. Emma speaks with Mr. Knightly to assuage her fears, and he disparages Frank Churchill for showing off his own voice by singing at the party.
Analysis: Frank Churchill's sense of etiquette is crucial in this chapter. He does realize that people think that his journey for a haircut was a foolish choice, and although he is shows no sense of shame about his actions, he is able to downplay this fault as neither something to be gloried in nor something to be ashamed of. The greater fault of Frank Churchill is not his foolishness, but his constant need for attention. As Mr. Knightly, the expert judge of character, notes, Frank Churchill revels in showing off his singing voice at the Coles' party.
This chapter also features another instance in which Frank mentions Jane Fairfax to Emma. After suggesting that Jane may be involved with Mr. Dixon, he suggests that Mr. Knightly may have an interest in her. This is obvious manipulation, for Frank wants to suggest that any man is interested in Jane Fairfax but he. His manner betrays him. His insults and rumors, always delivered with a self-regarding smile, are obviously sincere. This indulges Emma. Frank continually feeds her information about Jane Fairfax that is ambiguous yet likely disparaging, playing into Emma's tendency to gossip.
Austen uses jealousy as a primary motivation for her characters' actions and realizations. Emma shows an inclination toward Mr. Knightly for the first time when she believes that he might marry Jane Fairfax. He must remain single so that her nephew will inherit Donwell Abbey, according to Emma, but her intense feelings on the matter indicate that there is some other reason why she wishes that Mr. Knightly will never marry. In turn, Mr. Knightly appears quite jealous of Frank Churchill. He is preoccupied with Frank Churchill's vanity and self-absorption, and points these qualities out to Emma at every opportunity.
Chapter Twenty-seven: Harriet Smith visits Emma and tells her that she suspects Robert Martin to be involved with Anne Cox. They shop at Ford's together, and Emma sees Mrs. Weston and Frank going to visit Miss Bates. While Emma and Harriet continue to shop, Miss Bates invites them to hear Jane Fairfax play at her new piano.
Analysis: Just as jealousy over Jane Fairfax and Frank Churchill, respectively, seem to motivate romantic feelings in Emma and Mr. Knightly, Harriet Smith's suspicions about Anne Cox cause a rekindling of her worry over Robert Martin and whether or not she made the right decision.
Frank Churchill is deliberately ambiguous toward Emma when she meets him on his way to Mrs. Bates' home. He wavers between shopping with Emma and visiting with the Bates family, but chooses to go with his stepmother to Mrs. Bates' home. His words favor spending time with Emma, but his actions favor visiting with Mrs. Bates. Since Jane Fairfax is staying with Mrs. Bates, this decision proves an obvious choice between the two. There are other indications that Frank Churchill might match well with Jane Fairfax. Both are musical (he sings and she is a pianist).
Chapter Twenty-eight: At the Bates' home, Emma listens to Jane play. Mr. Knightly stops by the Bates' while Emma and Frank are there, but because of the numerous visitors he promises to call another time. Miss Bates thanks Mr. Knightly for sending them his store of apples.
Analysis: At the Bates home, Jane Fairfax is the obvious center of attention. When Emma arrives, Frank Churchill is helping her fix her new piano so that she may play. Mr. Knightly arrives to call on Mrs. and Miss Bates, and by extension, Jane Fairfax. Austen is deliberately ambiguous about Jane Fairfax's courtship possibilities. The actions of both Frank Churchill and Mr. Knightly indicate a possible romantic interest in her, but Frank disguises any possible interest by showing such great attention to Emma, while Mr. Knightly behaves with such dignity that no action can be perceived as outwardly romantic. The main subtlety in the chapter is that Mr. Knightly's behavior is consistent throughout the novel. It seems highly likely that he would treat Jane Fairfax kindly without having an ulterior motive, since he has such a high regard for decency and benevolence.

Summary and Analysis of Chapters 29-35

Chapter Twenty-nine: Frank Churchill, who so enjoyed dancing at the Cole's party, plans another one for Highbury. Although initially planned for Randalls, the lack of acceptable space for dancing leads him to plan it instead for the Crown Inn.
Analysis: This chapter demonstrates the planning that goes into the various social events that occur throughout Austen's novels. Everyone's tastes and opinions must be considered, evento a lesser degreeMiss Bates. There are deep considerations about who to invite and why, how comfortable each person will be, whether or not a location is suitable to all. This is what occupies most of the time of the elites in Highbury such as Emma and the Westons.
Frank Churchill differs from the other men of Highbury, as this chapter makes clear. He has no profession, like Mr. Elton, and he does not behave with the authority or reserve that Mr. Knightly or Mr. Weston show. His major concern is pleasure, the very reason why he organizes a dance for Highbury. Austen shows this through the contrast between what Emma focuses on while planning the party and what Frank Churchill considers. While Emma wants to please everybody, Frank, who obsesses over whether or not there will be enough room to dance, thinks more about ensuring that he enjoys himself at the ball.
Chapter Thirty: A letter arrived from Mr. Churchill to urge his nephew's instant return, for Mrs. Churchill was unwell. This ruined the preparations for the ball. When he leaves, Emma is certain that he almost told her that he loved her. She convinces herself that she is in love.
Analysis: Mrs. Churchill exhibits a great influence on her nephew, essentially ordering him home when she feels unwell. There is little sense that what Mrs. Churchill does is because of actual health concerns. She becomes most ill and most in need of her family's company when she wishes to exert control on Frank Churchill.
There is a moment before he leaves in which Frank Churchill nearly breaks down his consistent air of insincerity. He speaks of his warm regard for Hartfield and shows a genuine wish to reveal some honest or true emotion. It is this moment in which Emma believes that Frank Churchill may be in love with her. However, whether or not Frank is interested in Jane Fairfax or Emma is still unclear. When Frank is prepared to admit to something, it is soon after he mentions a visit he made to see Miss Bates, in which he implies that he spoke to Jane Fairfax.
This is perhaps the best evidence that Frank Churchill does not intend to manipulate Emma into believing that he loves her, but that his attention to her stems instead from his naturally social demeanor. There is a sincerity of emotion here that is never present in Mr. Elton. Despite Frank Churchill's faults, in this matter his purpose is not to deceive.
Nevertheless, Emma finds herself believing that Frank might love her and convinces herself that she might be in love with him. Emma, who has previously thought of romance in practical terms, finds herself considering actual love. However, she has no concrete idea what love actually entails. She lists as examples of her love listlessness, weariness and stupidity, indicating a passing fancy or crush and not substantial emotion. Furthermore, this doubt is inconsistent with Emma's normal behavior. She usually holds firm to her emotions to the point of stubbornness as she did with Harriet Smith and the fact that she is unsure whether or not she is in love is a good indication that she is not.
Chapter Thirty-one: Emma had no doubt that she was in love, but wondered how much she loved Frank Churchill. Yet with Frank absent she is no less happy, and returns to her vow never to marry or quit her father. Emma starts to believe that Frank might instead be a good match for Harriet. Emma scolds Harriet for worrying about Mr. Elton, claiming that it is a constant reminder of her mistake. She asks Harriet to speak less of Mr. Elton for her own sake, and Harriet apologies for being ungrateful.
Analysis: After Emma has opened herself to the idea of falling in love with Frank Churchill (and not simply marrying him as a pragmatic move), she realizes that she does not in fact love him. Her realization shows a practical reasoning and introspection previously uncharacteristic of Emma. She does not love Frank Churchill because she exists so well with or without him. Still, although she does not love Frank Churchill, she still enjoys his attention. It bolsters her own very high self-regard to know that a man such as Frank is so attentive to her.
However, Emma continues to make the same errors that earlier caused her so much aggravation. She has not learned the lesson of Mr. Elton, and fancies the idea of making a match between Frank Churchill and Harriet. She knows the dangers of such thinking and actions, but is inordinately tempted.
What Emma does realize with regard to Harriet Smith is how unfortunately obsessive she can be with regards to Mr. Elton. This vexes Emma for a number of reasons. It is a reminder of Emma's mistake in judgment, and, in talking about Mr. Elton, Harriet does not serve her primary purpose to Emma. Harriet is useful to flatter Emma. In this situation she only annoys. The situation is only remedied when Harriet apologizes and resumes her role as the obedient, dutiful friend.
Chapter Thirty-two: Emma first saw the new Mrs. Elton at church, but she could not be in the vicinity of the Eltons without recollecting how Mr. Elton had previously behaved and how Emma had meddled. Emma finds that Mrs. Elton has no elegance, for she is too at ease among strangers. Emma maintains that Harriet would have been better for Mr. Elton than Augusta Hawkins, for she had better ties to society than his new wife. When Emma meets with Mrs. Elton, she compares Hartfield to Maple Grove, where her brother resides, and is quite presumptuous, calling Mrs. Weston surprisingly ladylike considering her former occupation. She even calls Mr. Knightly the much less formal "Knightly."
Analysis: In Augusta Hawkins, Mr. Elton has found a perfect match: a woman as vapid and socially conscious as he is. The new Mrs. Elton drops names, constantly offers her own superiority, and treats the members of Highbury society with much less respect than normally accorded. The woman is self-important, ignorant and ill-bred, with none of the talents that could redeem her as they did Jane Fairfax. As bad as the new Mrs. Elton's manners are, they are made worse by her position in society. Her snobbery and comparisons of Hartfield to Maple Grove are made worse by the fact that her connections in Maple Grove are wealthy but lower class. This continues the idea found in Emma that social class determines proper manners. Mrs. Elton does not know her proper rank in society.
Calling Mr. Knightly by his last name is a particular affront to propriety, for it presumes equality between the two, which is certainly not the case, as well as great intimacy. Even Emma and her father speak of her close friend as Mr. Knightly, despite their long acquaintance and equal social status. Assuming that the character names reflect Emma's point of view, there are only a few times when a less formal name is used: between close friends of the same age, between siblings or by an adult to a child, or with regard to an unmarried woman.
Chapter Thirty-three: Mrs. Elton, offended by the little encouragement given by Emma, become more cold and distant to her. Her manners, and those of Mr. Elton, also become more unpleasant toward Harriet. Mrs. Elton instead took a great fancy to Jane Fairfax. Mrs. Elton's attentions cause her to pity Jane for the first time. Jane refuses an invitation to join the Campbells, and Emma suspects that she has some ulterior motive. Mrs. Weston predicts that Mr. Knightly has spent so much time occupied with the idea of not being in love with Jane Fairfax that he will probably end in marrying her.
Analysis: Emma is quite decisive about whom she likes and dislikes, and once she decides that she dislikes Mrs. Elton, there is little chance that she will substantially alter this opinion. In only one respect does her low opinion of Mrs. Elton change: it becomes worse. Once again status plays a consideration. Emma dislikes Mrs. Elton because she presumes herself to be higher in society than she actually is, believing that her connections at Maple Grove make her quite respectable. Yet part of this dislike stems from Mrs. Elton's apparent mutual dislike of Emma.
While Emma is invariably polite to Mrs. Elton, as she is to nearly all, the bittnerness between the two women indicates that manners can only obscure so much. Despite Emma's outward propriety, Mrs. Elton can tell that Emma dislikes her. The victim of this animosity is neither woman, but rather poor Harriet Smith. Mrs. Elton cannot openly scorn Emma, but she can and does treat the lowly Harriet Smith with contempt.
However, the polite feud between Emma and Mrs. Elton does serve to show that Emma herself has harmed others socially. It is Mr. Knightly who reminds Emma that Jane Fairfax has become friends with Mrs. Elton primarily because only Mrs. Elton pays attention to Jane. This implies that Jane Fairfax is somewhat of an outcast in society, likely because Emma has made this the case. Just as Mrs. Elton certainly sensed Emma's dislike of her, others in Highbury society likely realized that Emma dislikes Jane Fairfax and follows her lead. Jane Fairfax is a victim out of Emma's envy.
Chapter Thirty-four: Emma decides to have a party for the Eltons at Hartfield to hide her contempt for Mrs. Elton. Besides the Eltons, Mr. Knightly, the Westons and Harriet were to attend, but Harriet declines and Emma invites Jane Fairfax in her place. During the party they discuss Jane's trip to the post office and her handwriting. Mr. Knightly makes another disparaging comment about Frank Churchill, claiming his writing is like a woman's, while Emma wonders what letters Jane might receive. Are they sent by Mr. Dixon, or the Campbells, or another person altogether?
Analysis: Although it is obvious to all that Emma dislikes Mrs. Elton, she is forced to invite the Eltons to dinner at Hartfield for reasons of propriety. There may be subtle signs and indications of animosity between the two women, but Emma cannot allow such a public statement of dislike. Propriety takes precedence over true feelings and emotions.
In light of Mr. Knightly's earlier comment about how others have snubbed Jane Fairfax, Emma attempts to remedy the situation. Her invitation to Jane, unlike inviting Mrs. Elton, is genuine and sincere. She invites Jane Fairfax with one simple motive: she wishes to right her earlier wrongs. Emma is more and more interested in Jane Fairfax. She still suspects that Jane is somehow involved with Mr. Dixon, even though she has no real evidence. All of the real evidence points to Frank Churchill instead. (This chapter also reinforces Mr. Knightly's dislike of Frank Churchill, which goes beyond the objections that he states). This suggests a different motive for Emma's interest in Jane Fairfax. It is now less jealousy and more an idle curiosity. Jane is hiding some important information. What that entails will soon be more clear to Emma.
Chapter Thirty-five: During the later part of the party, Jane mentions that she must become a governess, which she compares to the slave trade. Mr. Weston arrives at the party after a day of business in London and gives Mrs. Weston a letter from Frank Churchill, who is returning to Highbury since his aunt's health improved.
Analysis: This chapter reveals the likely fate of Jane Fairfax since she is not from a wealthy family, although raised by one, she must go into a profession as a governess. This is a sharp step down the social ladder. As raised by the Campbells, she was part of the elite and lived as Emma does now. This is a sharp contrast from the fate of Emma Woodhouse. While Emma is an heiress who will be at the center of society even if she remains single, Jane Fairfax, despite her equal talents, must depend on a good marriage (the solution Mrs. Weston found to increase her status in society) or else she will be forced into a demeaning life as a spinster, much like her aunt, Miss Bates. The comparison between the governess trade and the slave trade highlights this injustice.
The chapter also indicates that Frank Churchill will soon return to Highbury. His aunt's health was not the reason for his absence, as Mr. Weston indicates. It was rather her need to exert control over Frank and demand his loyalty. Now that she has flexed her authority over Frank, he is temporarily free to return to Highbury. This is an additional reminder that Frank Churchill is not able to act without considering his aunt's demands. This may explain whatever reluctance he has to admit his feelings or emotions with regards to Emma or anyone else.

Summary and Analysis of Chapters 36-42

Chapter Thirty-six: Mr. Weston discusses Frank Churchill and his aunt with Mrs. Elton, and tells more about the Churchills. They are proud people. His pride is harmless, but hers is arrogance and insolence, even though she has no great familial connections. Mr. John Knightly leaves his sons, Henry and John, to stay with Emma, although he worries that they will be a burden to her, considering her increasing social life. He notes that Emma has been more social in the past six months and spends time with more different people. Mr. Knightly suggests that the children stay with him instead, but Emma reminds him that he has as many social functions as she does, for they attend the same ones, and that she is never absent from her estate.
Analysis: Just as Mr. John Knightly serves as the voice of things that one cannot properly say in Emma, Mrs. Elton serves as the voice for questions that normally would be too rude to ask. Through her persistent questioning about Frank Churchill, we learn more about the ill feelings that Mr. Weston has toward the Churchill family. Mrs. Elton even makes the comparison between Mrs. Suckling (her low-born relative in Maple Grove) and Mrs. Churchill, which is apt considering they are both somewhat low-born but exert influence through 'new' money.
One of the very things that Mr. John Knightly indicates is that Emma cares too much for social functions and amusements. Although this fits with his dour character, it nevertheless wounds Emma's pride, for her brother-in-law has suggested that her social activity takes precedence over her family. Mr. Knightly made a similar criticism about Frank Churchill, which foreshadows his later concerns over Frank Churchill's influence on her.
Chapter Thirty-seven: Emma's attachment to Frank Churchill had subsided, but she worried that he is in love with her. When Frank returns, he visits her only once in ten days. Frank Churchill and his aunt and uncle found a house nine miles away from Mr. Weston, and he began preparations for a ball at the Crown Inn.
Analysis: Emma's concern for Frank Churchill distresses her, for she believes that he must be in love with her even though she does not share his feelings. The likelihood that he is in love with her is slim, considering his lack of attention to her in the two months since he left Highbury, but she still worries. When he does arrive, she is convinced that he is no longer infatuated with her if he ever was but this does not worry her. If her belief that Frank Churchill must love her indicates some vanity and self-delusion, her reaction to his apparent indifference to her shows some improvement. She does not feel slighted to have less attention.
Frank Churchill's return serves to move the plot forward once again. With his return, the ball at the Crown Inn can finally happen.
Chapter Thirty-eight: Frank Churchill behaves oddly towards Emma at the ball at the Crown Inn. During the first dance, Emma and Frank dance second to Mr. Weston and Mrs. Elton, although Emma felt that the ball was for her. Mrs. Elton had her vanity completely gratified by this. Emma wished that she could like Frank better than she actually did. Mr. Elton refuses to dance with Harriet when Mrs. Weston prompts him. To recover Harriet's dignity, Mr. Knightly asks her to dance. Harriet had never been so surprised nor delighted. After the ball, Mr. Knightly tells Emma that the Elton's intention was to wound more than Harriet, but also Emma herself. They cannot forgive her for wanting Harriet to marry Mr. Elton. Mr. Knightly scoffs at the idea that he and Emma are like brother and sister.
Analysis: Although Emma enjoys Frank Churchill's company and his attention during the Crown Inn ball, this is the extent of her feelings. The only regret she feels is that she cannot feel more towards Frank Churchill. The two can now be completely comfortable with each other's company. Nevertheless, all is not right with Frank Churchill. He is in an uncharacteristically bad mood during the ball, yet the reason remains as yet unclear.
The Eltons' actions in this chapter continues with the theme of propriety and the difference between overt behavior and subtle signals. Mr. Elton does not do anything outwardly rude toward Harriet Smith, but it is clear that he intends to snub and humiliate her. The Eltons hide behind the façade of propriety, but their behavior is anything but well-mannered. It is important that Harriet Smith is the victim of the snub. As Mr. Knightly mentions, the snub was also directed at Emma. This occurs because Harriet is an easy target. They can snub the socially inferior Harriet with few consequences, but a similar snub against Emma could not be tolerated.
In rescuing Harriet Smith from humiliation, Mr. Knightly is the paragon for behavior in Emma. For the first time he exhibits a change of behavior in this chapter toward Harriet: he admits her positive qualities and takes pity on her lot in life. This is not the only change in Mr. Knightly. In this chapter Mr. Knightly's feelings toward Emma become more clear. He dismisses the idea that Emma and he are like siblings, giving greater indication of romantic feelings he has towards her.
Chapter Thirty-nine: Frank Churchill and Harriet arrive at Hartfield together the day after the ball. The night before, when Harriet was walking home, a party of gipsies approached Harriet and her companions and chased them. Harriet was assaulted by a group of them and is saved by Frank Churchill while he was on his way to return a pair of scissors to Miss Bates. Emma considers that Harriet and Frank Churchill might make a good couple. Soon the news of Frank's heroism was known throughout Highbury. Emma vows not to meddle between the two.
Analysis: The story that Harriet Smith tells about Frank Churchill is a reminder that there are less reputable elements outside of the genteel estates of Hartfield and Randalls. The point of view from this story is significant. The story is told from Harriet's point of view, therefore one can assume that some of the details of her assault have been exaggerated (she was accosted mainly by children, who could hardly prove too great a threat).
Also notable is that Frank Churchill's destination is Mrs. Bates' home. It seems odd that, immediately after the ball, he would want to visit merely to borrow a pair of scissors. This seems like a feeble excuse for his visit and yet more evidence that he has a secret liaison with Jane Fairfax.
Chapter Forty: Harriet visits Emma several days later to make a confession. She has a parcel with items that reminded her of Mr. Elton, including a small box with a court plaister that was mostly used to cover a small cut that Mr. Elton had. Harriet claims that she is now done obsessing over Mr. Elton and vows never to marry, for the person she prefers is too great her superior. Emma gives Harriet some hope that she could marry this man that she does not name.
Analysis: Harriet Smith shows her more absurd and immature side in this scene, revealing a childish obsession with Mr. Elton that did her no good. The remnants that she keeps as mementos are foolish trifles: a bit of a bandage, a small pencil, and such. This makes it quite clear that Harriet does not have very good judgment, an appraisal that causes some concern when she vows never to marry. Considering Harriet's lowly rank, vowing never to marry is as foolish a choice as keeping a bandage as a memento.
In this declaration, Harriet continues to mirror and emulate Emma, vowing never to marry just as Emma did. Yet while Emma refused to marry because she felt she could never find someone who would measure up to her, Harriet refuses to marry because she feels she will never measure up to the unnamed man she adores.
Harriet and Emma are deliberately ambiguous about the object of Harriet's affection. The two only establish that the man saved her the night of the Crown Inn ball and is someone of such higher rank than Harriet that it seems unlikely that the match would ever be successfully made. Both of these characteristics apply to Frank Churchill, but also to another respectable man of Highbury who showed kindness to Harriet Smith.
Chapter Forty-one: Mr. Knightly only grew to dislike Frank Churchill more, suspecting him of double-dealing in his pursuit of Emma. It seemed indisputable that Emma was the object of his affections, but Mr. Knightly suspects that he had an interest in Jane Fairfax instead. Emma, Frank, Harriet and Jane play word games in which they must guess words. The word that Frank gives Jane to guess is "Dixon," which greatly annoys Jane, who promptly quits the game. Mr. Knightly tells Emma about his suspicions about Frank and Jane, but she thinks that there is no romance between them. Mr. Knightly is irritated by the entire situation.
Analysis: Even though Emma is convinced that Frank Churchill has no romantic interest in her and has no interest in him, Mr. Knightly is concerned that he is pretending to have an interest in her while in fact having an affair with Jane Fairfax. This suspicion is significant evidence of the affair, for Mr. Knightly has been consistently correct in judging others' actions. Where he errs is in the idea that Frank Churchill will harm Emma through the deception, for Emma has been perfectly clear that she does not love Frank. Also, this continues to build the possibility that Mr. Knightly is interested in Emma. His greatest care in this situation is that Emma does not get hurt.
Still, although Emma will not be hurt by Frank Churchill, that does not excuse his deceptive behavior. He does have a manipulative nature, but does not direct it towards Emma. During the game, Frank teases and taunts Jane Fairfax to the point that she must leave the game. The purpose of Frank Churchill's games seems to push Jane Fairfax into losing her sense of reserve and to reveal her true emotions.
This chapter echoes the earlier incident in which Mr. Elton uses the riddle "Charade" to declare his feelings to Emma via Harriet Smith. Emma finds herself yet again in the middle of a romantic game in which true feelings and emotions cannot properly be conveyed.
Chapter Forty-two: Mrs. Elton plans a picnic, and Mr. Knightly offers Donwell Abbey as the location. She presumes to make all of the invitations herself, even though it takes place at his estate, but Mr. Knightly tells her that only one woman can invite anyone to Donwell Abbey, and that is the future Mrs. Knightly, whoever she may turn out to be. During the picnic, Emma sees Mr. Knightly and Harriet together, which she finds odd. Jane Fairfax leaves early while Frank Churchill arrives late. Mrs. Churchill was the cause of his tardiness, and Frank is not in a good mood during the party. When talking with Emma, Frank claims that he is not at all a fortunate person and that he wishes to leave England. He turns down Emma's invitation to Box Hill the next day, but finally relents.
Analysis: Mrs. Elton receives a long-awaited comeuppance in this chapter when her presumptions and breaks of etiquette reach an unreasonable level. Her great mistake is to demand the power to invite whomever she pleases to Donwell Abbey, a power that only Mr. Knightly may have. Mr. Knightly's reproach of Mrs. Elton contains an interesting comment. When he says that only Mrs. Knightly, whenever she comes into being, may invite whomever she chooses to his estate, he gives the first indication that he would consider marriage. The automatic assumption previous to this point is that Mr. Knightly, an older man, had resigned himself to remaining a bachelor. This is not his intention.
It now seems more and more likely that Jane Fairfax will suffer the indignation of becoming a governess, and even worse, she may owe her position to Mrs. Elton's intervention. This chapter bolsters the suspicions that Frank Churchill and Jane Fairfax are involved, considering the strange circumstances of his late arrival and her early departure both are unhappy during their separate visits to Donwell Abbey's picnic.
Also, Harriet spending time with Mr. Knightly is a notable change in events. This is a reminder of Harriet's earlier claim that she was in love with a man of great status. Harriet has shown no interest in Frank Churchill, so it must be assumed that Emma was mistaken and Harriet has fallen for Mr. Knightly.

Summary and Analysis of Chapters 43-49

Chapter Forty-three: Frank Churchill is still in a bad mood the next day when everyone goes to Box Hill, but his mood improves when he concentrates only on amusing Emma. He claims that she is always with him and she influences his behavior. Frank proposes a little game: everyone must say one thing very clever to Emma, or else two things moderately clever, or three things dull. When Miss Bates begins to chatter on incessantly, Emma puts her down harshly, telling her that she is limited to only three dull things. Only Mr. Weston participates in the game. Emma, Jane and Frank discuss marriage. Jane speaks about how quick marriages can be salvaged, while Frank tells Emma to choose a wife for him and mold her (in her own image). Emma returns to the idea of Frank and Harriet. Afterwards, Mr. Knightly scolds Emma for treating Miss Bates so rudely. He tells her that Miss Bates deserves her compassion and not her scorn.
Analysis: Although Miss Bates previously acted only as comic relief in Emma, in this chapter she serves a greater purpose. No matter how absurd, chattering or boorish she may be, even Miss Bates deserves to be treated with some dignity. Her low situation makes her need kind treatment even more. This is what makes Emma's sharp remark so cruel.
As Mr. Knightly reminds Emma, she made a great mistake when she puts down Miss Bates. As one of the highest members of Highbury society, Emma has a duty to treat those of lesser rank with kindness and to take pity on those such as Miss Bates who have little to offer. This is a turning point in Emma's behavior. Although she has thought ill of a number of Highbury residents before (the Eltons, Jane Fairfax), this is the first time in which Emma does not behave politely to one of them.
This parallels the events of the last chapter, in which Mr. Knightly acts as the voice of propriety and good manners. He upbraids Emma just as decisively as he does Mrs. Elton. But there is a genuine warmth to his criticism. When he speaks to Emma about her mistake, he points out how admired and warmly considered Emma is. His wish is to improve Emma and not to put her in her place, as he did Mrs. Elton.
Chapter Forty-four: Emma goes to apologize to Miss Bates for her behavior at Box Hill, but she is not home. Mrs. Bates suspects that Jane is ill. Miss Bates does arrive, and tells Emma that Jane was writing letters to Colonel Campbell and Mrs. Dixon while weeping. She will be going to be the governess for Mrs. Smallridge of Maple Grove, thanks to Mrs. Elton, and will be paid well, according to Miss Bates. She also learns that Frank Churchill has suddenly left, since the Churchills requested that he return home.
Analysis: Emma is appropriately ashamed of her behavior, and her attempts to remedy her situation with Miss Bates are sincere and commendable. But Austen spends little time on Emma's newfound modesty, instead switching to news of Jane Fairfax.
If there is one character truly deserving of pity, it is Jane Fairfax. She must enter a profession as a governess, a job that she earlier compared to the slave trade, and now she is in ill health. Despite Miss Bates' protests that Jane Fairfax will be happy and live a life of pleasure, Jane Fairfax is quite upset by this turn of events. Emma explicitly contrasts her fate and that of Mrs. Churchill. Jane Fairfax is a gracious, talented woman who must take a subservient position merely because of status, while Mrs. Churchill is a demanding, cruel woman who is important in society.
There is now some explanation for Frank Churchill's recent bad mood. Mrs. Churchill yet again demands that Frank Churchill return home. There is more evidence that the fates of Jane Fairfax and Frank Churchill are connected. Both suffer some depression almost simultaneously, and both are set to leave Highbury around the same time.
Chapter Forty-five: When Emma returns home, she finds that Mr. Knightly and Harriet had arrived. He tells Emma that he is going to London to spend time with John and Isabella, and is touched to learn that Emma has gone to see Miss Bates. He takes her hand and is about to kiss it, yet suddenly lets go. The following day, there is news that Mrs. Churchill has died. After being disliked for twenty-five years, the woman is now spoken well of. Emma now realizes that there is no obstacle between Frank and Harriet Smith, and learns that Jane Fairfax is now in ill health, likely depressed that she must go to Maple Grove. She learns that Jane had fallen sick after wandering through the meadows.
Analysis: In this chapter, Emma is determined to set right her previous ill will toward Jane Fairfax, strenuously attempting to visit her and wish her better health. Not only does she think well of Jane, she now wishes to do something about it. Emma acts with a newfound modesty. She is embarrassed when her devoted but delusional father compliments her for kindness toward Miss Bates.
Mr. Knightly's romantic attentions toward Emma become more overt in this chapter, although he remains reluctant. He takes her hand when he senses her embarrassment over the false praise, a subtle physical gesture that represents a shift from verbal expressions of emotion that predominate the novel. He is at the verge of expressing his love for Emma, but still hesitates.
The death of Mrs. Churchill is a truly unexpected event in the novel, for whatever illness she earlier claimed seemed to be a false pretense for getting Frank Churchill to be near her. Still, the major obstacle for Frank Churchill is now removed. He no longer is prevented from declaring his love for anyone. Yet despite the overwhelming evidence that he must be in love with Jane Fairfax, Emma persists in believing that he could love Harriet Smith.
Chapter Forty-six: Mr. Weston urgently requests Emma's presence at Randalls, for Mrs. Weston has important news. When Emma arrives there, Mrs. Weston looks quite disturbed. She has news that Frank Churchill and Jane Fairfax have been secretly engaged. Emma tells Mrs. Weston honestly that she was once interested in Frank, but that interest subsided, but criticizes Frank for pretending to show affection for her when he was engaged to Jane, even when Jane was present. Mr. Churchill did give Frank his permission to marry Jane without difficulty.
Analysis: Whether or not Frank Churchill did wrong by hiding his engagement to Jane Fairfax and devoting his attention to Emma is up to debate. He certainly did deceive his friends and family. As Emma says, he did come to Highbury with professions of openness and simplicity, but instead duped everyone. Still, this misjudges Frank Churchill's character. Even before he arrived, Frank Churchill was mysterious and deliberately deceptive. It was evident from the beginning that he harbored some secret. And although he gave the appearance that he had an interest in Emma, she realized almost immediately that this was not the case and that his interest was more out of vanity and their shared sociability. Also, Mrs. Churchill made it impossible for him to make his romance public without retribution.
The one unqualified positive circumstance of the engagement is that Jane Fairfax will no longer have to become a governess. She will While Frank does have his faults, he will certainly improve Jane Fairfax's situation, and quite likely, her impeccable manners will improve his sometimes disreputable behavior. The parallels between Frank Churchill and his father are striking. Both men were constrained in their actions by the Churchill family, and both found happiness with an educated and respectable governess whose status they improve.
Chapter Forty-seven: Emma realizes that Harriet might be upset by the turn of events, for this is the second time that Emma has suggested that someone might be interested in the poor woman. Emma is angry with Frank Churchill for the deception, but is at least relieved that Jane will not sink into an insignificant life. She admits that she disliked Jane out of jealousy. When Emma sees Harriet, Mr. Weston had already told her about Frank Churchill. Harriet denies that she ever had an interest in Frank Churchill and, in fact, she did never name the man she claimed to have affection for. Instead, Harriet was fixated on Mr. Knightly. (When she earlier spoke to Emma about her feelings, she mentioned that the man in question saved her. While Emma assumed she meant Frank's actions with the gipsies, in fact she meant Mr. Knightly's kind behavior at the Crown Inn ball after she had been slighted). Emma finally realizes that nobody should marry Mr. Knightly but Emma herself, and that she has lead Harriet to believe that Mr. Knightly could be in love with her. Emma has raised Harriet Smith to believe that her claims are greater than they actually are. She has made the humble Harriet now vain.
Analysis: Mr. Knightly's words to Emma, "you have been no friend to Harriet Smith," prove prophetic in this chapter, as Emma herself realizes. She believes that she has yet again misled Harriet Smith into thinking of the wrong romantic attachment. Nevertheless, Mr. Knightly's warning was not prophetic in the manner that Emma imagines. Emma did not damage Harriet Smith by setting her up for another heartbreak. Rather, Emma's great fault is that she made Harriet believe that she could aspire to an unreasonable social status. It is quite presumptuous for the foolish girl to think that she could ever marry Mr. Knightly, who stands with Emma at the highest point in Highbury society.
Emma realizes that part of her vanity resides in believing to know the secrets of everybody else's feelings, when in fact she has been proven consistently wrong on this account. She has viewed the world as she would like it to be. She assumed that Mr. Elton loved Harriet because she wanted it to be so. As her own feelings for Frank Churchill grew, she was convinced that he loved her; as they waned, she believed that his did as well.
Jealousy once again motivates romance in this novel: it takes Frank Churchill to make Mr. Knightly show greater affection toward Emma, and now it is Harriet Smith who makes Emma realize that she loves Mr. Knightly. The great horror of the possible match between Mr. Knightly and Harriet Smith is that, from his actions, Emma believes it to be possible. But, the match must be prevented, for it would cause Mr. Knightly constant difficulties and expose him to intense mockery.
Class once again enters into discussions of marriage. Even if Mr. Knightly does love Harriet Smith, Emma cannot imagine the marriage taking place. Whatever love the two of them have would be fraught with such difficulties that there is virtually no possibility of success.
Chapter Forty-eight: Emma has no hope that Mr. Knightly could be in love with her, and even if it were the case, her father's need for constant attention would preclude marriage. Mrs. Weston tells Emma how Jane Fairfax regretted being involved in a suspicious private engagement and wishes that she handled the situation with greater decorum. Emma feels disheartened and alone, since the pregnant Mrs. Weston would soon be preoccupied with her child and Frank Churchill will no longer visit frequently.
Analysis: Emma Woodhouse has thus far been completely satisfied with the condition of her life. In her mind she has everything that she desiresfortune, status, and a comfortable social circle. Yet in this chapter she realizes that an integral part of her happiness depends on Mr. Knightly's affections. Although they have no romantic attachment as of yet, it is important to Emma that she is the most important woman in his life. Realizing that she might lose this position to Harriet Smith makes Emma aware how deeply she cares for him. This helps to explain why no attachment between Emma and Mr. Knightly had been formed earlier. Both already realized that they were the most important person in the other's life.
The discussion between Mrs. Weston and Emma concerning Frank Churchill and Jane Fairfax brings up the important point that the two must certainly be in love with one another. Both endured a great deal of pain during their secret engagement and risked their reputation among society by deceiving their friends and family. As Emma states, "her affection must have overpowered her judgment." Yet love cannot entirely excuse deception. Both Jane and Frank did behave improperly. Since all turned out well for the two of them they hurt nobody during their deception and will be properly married soon Austen's major point is that their behave was wrong for reasons of manners. Even without any negative consequences, the deception was wrong as a breach of decorum.
At this point Emma stands outside the social interactions of her friends. Among her social circle in Highbury, she is alone. Everyone else has already married (the Westons) or plans to (Frank and Jane). She may always have her wealth and status, but Emma still may risk loneliness by clinging to her self-absorption. This isolation will not come from becoming a social pariah, but will instead occur if she remains immature and vain among responsible adults with greater responsibilities to consider.
Chapter Forty-nine: Mr. Knightly stops by Hartfield to see Emma, and they discuss Frank Churchill and Jane Fairfax. He fears that Jane will be miserable with a man as intolerable as Frank Churchill, but hopes that she will improve him. Mr. Knightly admits that he envies Frank in one respect, and Emma fears that he will mention Harriet, but Mr. Knightly professes his love for Emma. The two are now reassured of their love for one another.
Analysis: The final decision on Frank Churchill's actions comes when Emma discusses his engagement with Mr. Knightly. While Mr. Knightly has always held a low opinion of Frank Churchill out of jealousy for his apparent affection for Emma, when he learns that Frank did not deceive Emma, Mr. Knightly realizes how he underrated him. Mr. Knightly does serve as the final judge of character in Emma, and when he comes to forgive Frank Churchill this is a cue from Austen that Frank, for all of his faults, should not be considered disreputable.
Once again, manners and etiquette obscure the true emotions of a character and cause dangerous mixed signals. The great propriety that Emma shows in dealing with Frank Churchill makes it unclear what feelings she may have. Mr. Knightly from this concluded that she might be in love with Frank. Once again it becomes as important to discern what each character does or does not feel under the heavy veil of polite behavior. In believing that Emma might love Frank, Mr. Knightly made his one major error.
Mr. Knightly is a curious lover. When he professes his love, he is measured and utterly dignified. This is far different from the fawning adoration that Mr. Elton showered upon Emma in the carriage ride. When he and Emma declare their love for one another, it is occasion for relief. rather than for abundant joy. This contributes to a sense that a match between the two was inevitable. They are the two highest members of Highbury society, and Mr. Knightly's attention to her seems to be preparation for making her a suitable wife.

Summary and Analysis of Chapters 50-55

Chapter Fifty: Emma now has two obstacles to a marriage with Mr. Knightly: Harriet Smith and her father. Emma could not marry Mr. Knightly while her father lived, for any marriage would greatly inconvenience him, and Emma wonders how best to give the news to Harriet. Emma attempts to get Harriet invited to stay with Isabella in London, where she would be distracted. Frank Churchill writes a letter to Mrs. Weston, which expresses regret for his deception and clarifies some of his behavior. He writes that Emma is a young woman unlikely ever to be attached, for she is so complete in herself, and that he was often tempted to let her know about Jane.
Analysis: This chapter serves mostly to clarify earlier inconsistencies in Frank Churchill's behavior and imminent obstacles that Emma and Mr. Knightly must face. The letter from Frank Churchill explains some of his behavior and solves some of the plot's mysteries. Frank sent the piano to Jane Fairfax, and he ordered it when he was in London ostensibly just to get his hair cut. When he was on the verge of admitting something to Emma before he left to return to the Churchills, he was ready to tell her the secret of his engagement. When Jane Fairfax was miserable and ready to accept the job as a governess, it was because she was so ashamed of her secretive behavior she broke off the engagement.
The letter also once again returns to the issue of manners and unspoken emotions. Frank Churchill's assumptions contrast directly with Mr. Knightly's. While Mr. Knightly assumed that Emma believed herself to be the object of Frank Churchill's affections, Frank Churchill assumed that Emma realized that Frank and Jane were secretly in love. Because Emma's great propriety and reserve leave so much unspoken, both men make equally invalid assumptions about what Emma believes.
Chapter Fifty-one: Mr. Knightly and Emma discuss Frank Churchill's letter and they come to the same conclusion: Frank Churchill did not behave well, but he had some justification and there is no final harm. They consider the various options to deal with her father. He could move with her to Donwell, but it would likely cause the old man great discomfort, but they settle on Mr. Knightly coming to Hartfield instead.
Analysis: This chapter makes very clear that Mr. Woodhouse is more than just a harmless curmudgeon who takes pleasure in his complaints. He is an intractable obstacle for Emma, too concerned with his own comfort to allow his own daughter to marry. In this manner he parallels Mrs. Churchill. Both used appearances of frailty and ill health to demand obedience from children they raised.
Austen also returns to the theme that Emma Woodhouse has the societal power of a man and not that of a single young woman. The relationship between Emma and Mr. Knightly reverses traditional gender roles. Mr. Knightly is the one who makes sacrifices and must modify his customs and behavior. It is he who must give up his home to move elsewhere upon marriage.
The considerations that the two of them make about their marriage reinforce the social dynamic in Highbury. A marriage between Mr. Knightly and Emma affects more than just those two. It affects Mr. Woodhouse, who might lose the daughter who cares for him. It affects Isabella's son, Henry, who now might lose his place as the inheritor of Donwell Abbey if Emma and Mr. Knightly produce an heir. And this particular situation affects Harriet Smith, who once again must bear the pain of rejection from a man too socially superior for her to rightfully consider.
Chapter Fifty-two: Harriet finally learns about Emma and Mr. Knightly, and bears the news well enough. Emma visits the Bates in order to see Jane Fairfax. Mrs. Elton is also there, and tells Emma that she knows the good news about her and Mr. Knightly. Emma learns that Frank Churchill and Jane Fairfax will marry soon, after an appropriate period of mourning for Mrs. Churchill.
Analysis: With Harriet gone from Highbury, Emma is free to enjoy Mr. Knightly's presence. This chapter emphasizes the inappropriateness of Emma's friendship with Harriet Smith. Harriet is a burden to Emma with her consistent heartbreaks and fragile nature, but in this case she bears the news about Mr. Knightly well. Austen gives the sense that this disappointment is necessary and even appropriate for Harriet Smith, who must settle on a man who has a status proper to her. Unlike her situation with Mr. Elton, Harriet was entirely to blame for any pain she has suffered. Since Mr. Knightly did not mislead her, Harriet's belief that he might love her is entirely a product of her developing vanity.
The chapter also reinforces the earlier theme that marriage does not simply affect the prospective husband and wife. Just as Emma and Mr. Knightly have to think about others' desires and emotions, Jane Fairfax and Frank Churchill must show the proper respect to others. Marrying so soon after Mrs. Churchill died would be an affront to her memory, since it would indicate how the ill-tempered old woman prevented Frank from doing as he pleased.
Chapter Fifty-three: Mrs. Weston gives birth to a little girl, Anna, and they already consider that the girl could marry one of Isabella's sons. Emma tells Mr. Knightly that she cannot call him by his first name, but promises to call him George after they are married. The two share the news of their engagement. Mr. Woodhouse dislikes the idea of Emma marrying Mr. Knightly simply because it would force him to change his habits, but time and reassurance will inevitably soften the old man, who does inevitably assent to the marriage.
Analysis: Austen explores the dynamics of marriage and courtship in this chapter with the reminder that, even at birth, elite parents already plan for their child's marriage. Just barely after she has been delivered, Anna Weston already seems a possible match for Henry Knightly. Also, the birth of Anna Weston gives additional light on the role of the governess. Emma notes that Miss Weston will be performing essentially the same job for her daughter that she did when she taught Emma at Hartfield.
Other details of the formality of courtship emerge. To Emma, her fiancé will be Mr. Knightly until they marry, and only then will she call him George. She still considers it improper to use his first name, even though they are engaged. Also, there is proper etiquette for revealing news of the marriage that Emma and Mr. Knightly must follow. Mr. Woodhouse, the most difficult case, must know almost immediately, and it is also proper form that the Westons know. However, there are few who can be ignored. It is even impolite to not tell Jane Fairfax or Miss Bates the news.
Chapter Fifty-four: Harriet Smith is to be married to Robert Martin. Emma is somewhat disappointment, as Mr. Knightly suspects, but he reminds her that she will be happy and well provided for. When Frank Churchill and Jane Fairfax visit Highbury, Emma realizes what a suitable choice she has made in Mr. Knightly.
Analysis: This chapter concludes Harriet Smith's romantic pursuits, as she agrees to marry the man whom she was originally supposed to marry at the story's beginning. She has given up the pretensions that Emma instilled in her and accepted her devoted suitor. This emphasizes the negative effect that Emma had on the young woman. If not for Emma's interventions, Harriet Smith would have married Robert Martin sooner and been immediately content, yet by giving Harriet a sense of vanity, Emma postponed her happiness and caused Harriet to suffer a succession of heartbreaks.
It is important to note how Emma has changed in this chapter. Emma accepts that Robert Martin is an appropriate suitor for Harriet. She is a bit disappointed, for she still harbors some wish that Harriet could find a more highborn husband, but comes to realize that Harriet's connections are worse than Robert Martin's and that Harriet can only benefit from the match. Emma has come to agree with Mr. Knightly's earlier view that, for Harriet, a marriage to Robert Martin is the most sensible choice.
The similarity between Emma Woodhouse and Frank Churchill become more evident in this chapter, and it is these similarities that made them so unsuitable for one another. Both require spouses who will bring out their best qualities while subduing their worst. Frank Churchill and Emma indulge each other's vanity and immaturity, but with the influence of Jane Fairfax and Mr. Knightly, respectively, Frank and Emma become more sensible and decent persons.
In Emma the relationships that work best are those in which the spouses complement each other but do not necessarily resemble one another Mr. and Mrs. Elton share a vulgar attention to social status and an utter lack of consideration for others' feelings. But Jane Fairfax counters Frank's insubstantial character with a reserved demeanor, Robert Martin is sensible where Harriet Smith is foolish and gullible, and Mr. Knightly is perceptive where Emma misjudges situations.
Chapter Fifty-five: Harriet writes to Emma about Robert Martin, and admits that she was silly to consider Mr. Knightly. Harriet learns about her parents: her father was a respectable tradesman who could provide for her stay at Mrs. Goddard's school. Emma meets Robert Martin and becomes convinced that Harriet will be happy with him. Harriet marries Robert Martin, and later, after Mr. Woodhouse is placated, Emma marries Mr. Knightly.
Analysis: Everything is set right in this chapter: Harriet becomes a respectable member of society when she learns of her family connections and finds happiness with Robert Martin. She is, as Emma had hoped, from a decent family and can now enter society without any undue suspicion.
Not surprisingly, Mr. Woodhouse becomes supportive of his daughter's marriage when he thinks it will benefit his own comfort. He agrees to the marriage after a string of robberies, for he thinks that Mr. Knightly's presence at Hartfield will keep him safe.
And Emma herself finally submits to be married to Mr. Knightly. Upon her marriage, she is set to leave Highbury for a vacation to the ocean, the first instance in the novel in which she leaves her home. If Emma has conceded some of her independence to Mr. Knightly and allowed herself to be less than the center of attention, she has opened herself to new experiences and the possibility of a life in which things remain acceptably beyond her control.

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