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.