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Unit 8: Jane Austen—Emma

such as this are downplayed or ignored. This resembles how she ignored Mr. Elton’s faults Notes
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, noting that 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 and thus should not presume to set the terms under
which they interact with the higher members of their society (the Woodhouses, Mr. Knightley,
and 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, should know that they cannot presume to set social functions for their superiors
and must wait for the Woodhouses, Westons and Mr. Knightley to reach out to them.
Chapter Twenty-six: Frank Churchill returns 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, and Emma tells him her suspicions
that it is a gift from Mrs. Dixon. 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. In passing, Frank notes that Mr. Knightley must have provided a carriage
to transport Jane Fairfax and Miss Bates to the party. Emma wonders if this indicates
Mr. Knightley’s partiality for Jane and becomes upset when she considers that he might marry
her. She speaks with Mr. Knightley 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 realizes 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. Knightley points out, 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. Knightley
may have an interest in her. This is obvious manipulation, for Frank wants to suggest that any
man is interested in Jane Fairfax except for him. His insults and rumors, always delivered with
a self-regarding smile, are obviously sincere and are clearly meant to indulge Emma. He 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. Knightley for the first time when she believes that he
might marry Jane Fairfax. Her argument is that he must remain single so that her nephew will
inherit Donwell Abbey, but her intense feelings on the matter suggest that she might have
other motivations. In turn, Mr. Knightley appears quite jealous of Frank Churchill for his
attentions to Emma. He is preoccupied with Frank Churchill’s vanity and self-absorption and
points out these qualities 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 Churchill 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.

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