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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.
ClassicNote on Emma
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