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.
ClassicNote on Emma
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