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Unit 8: Jane Austen—Emma

erred. She also concedes that both Mr. Knightley and his brother were correct in their appraisal Notes
of the situation.
Chapter Seventeen: Mr. and Mrs. John Knightley soon leave Highbury, as does Mr. Elton,
who, to Emma’s great relief, travels 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 superior to her in some ways because she is artless and sincere in her emotions. She also
discovers 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 at early points in the novel. The earlier distinction between the two is that, while
Emma has fortune, wit and talents, Harriet is gullible and foolish. Yet in this situation, Austen
makes clear that Harriet Smith is unspoiled and has a sincere and pure heart. This relates back
to Mr. Knightley’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. Knightley, 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 has not come to Highbury,
and once again postponed his visit once. Mr. Knightley suspects that the Churchills are to
blame for Frank’s absence, but notes that 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. Knightley, by asserting that going against the Churchills’ wishes would
be impractical. Emma defends Frank Churchill at nearly every opportunity, while Mr. Knightley
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. Knightley about Frank, she automatically assumes that
Frank has good intentions and is perfectly honorable. Mr. Knightley, in contrast, suspects
Frank Churchill to be lazy and dishonorable. Since Mr. Knightley 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 still 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. Knightley
assumes that one of the Churchills’ great mistakes with Frank is making him believe that he
is above his actual connections: he is 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. Knightley claims that Frank Churchill
may lead a 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. 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, who paid for her education. Emma
begins to suspect that Jane Fairfax might be involved with a married man with Mr. Dixon.

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