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Fiction

Notes presumptuous, calling Mrs. Weston surprisingly ladylike considering her former occupation.
She even calls Mr. Knightley the much less formal “Knightley.”
Analysis: In Augusta Hawkins, Mr. Elton has found a perfect match: a woman as vapid and
socially conscious as he is. The new Mrs. Elton drops names, constantly offers her own superiority,
and treats the members of Highbury society with much less respect than normally accorded.
The woman is self-important, ignorant, and ill-bred, with none of the talents that could redeem
her as they did Jane Fairfax. As bad as the new Mrs. Elton’s manners are, they are made worse
by her position in society. Her snobbery and comparisons of Hartfield to Maple Grove are
made worse by the fact that her connections in Maple Grove are wealthy but lower class. This
perpetuates the theme that social class determines proper manners; Mrs. Elton does not know
her proper rank in society.
Calling Mr. Knightley by his last name is a particular affront to propriety, for it presumes
equality and intimacy between the two, neither of which is the case. Even Emma and her
father speak of their close friend as Mr. Knightley, despite their long acquaintance and equal
social status. Assuming that the character names reflect Emma’s point of view, there are only
a few times when a less formal name is used: between close friends of the same age, between
siblings or by an adult to a child, or with regard to an unmarried woman.
Chapter Thirty-three: Mrs. Elton, offended by the little encouragement given by Emma, becomes
cold and distant to her. Her manners, and those of Mr. Elton, also become more unpleasant
toward Harriet. Mrs. Elton does, however, take a great fancy to Jane Fairfax, a fact which
causes Emma to pity Jane for the first time. Jane refuses an invitation to join the Campbells,
and Emma suspects that she has some ulterior motive. Mrs. Weston predicts that Mr. Knightley
has spent so much time occupied with the idea of not being in love with Jane Fairfax that he
will probably end in marrying her.
Analysis: Emma is quite decisive about whom she likes and dislikes, and once she decides
that she dislikes Mrs. Elton, there is little chance that she will substantially alter this opinion.
In only one respect does her low opinion of Mrs. Elton change: It becomes worse. Once again
status plays a consideration. Emma dislikes Mrs. Elton because she presumes herself to be
higher in society than she actually, believes that her connections at Maple Grove make her quite
respectable. Yet part of this dislike stems from Mrs. Elton’s apparent mutual dislike of Emma.
While Emma is invariably polite to Mrs. Elton, as she is to nearly all, the bitterness between
the two women indicates that manners can only obscure so much. Despite Emma’s outward
propriety, Mrs. Elton can sense that Emma dislikes her and the victim of her animosity is none
other than poor Harriet Smith. Although Mrs. Elton cannot openly scorn Emma, she can
openly treat the lowly Harriet Smith with contempt.

However, the polite feud between Emma and Mrs. Elton does serve to show that Emma herself
has harmed others socially. It is Mr. Knightley who reminds Emma that Jane Fairfax has
become friends with Mrs. Elton primarily because only Mrs. Elton pays attention to Jane. This
implies that Jane Fairfax is somewhat of an outcast in society, likely because Emma has made
this the case. Just as Mrs. Elton certainly sensed Emma’s dislike of her, others in Highbury
society likely realize that Emma dislikes Jane Fairfax and follow her lead. Jane Fairfax is a
victim because of Emma’s envy.
Chapter Thirty-four: Emma decides to have a party for the Eltons at Hartfield to hide her
contempt for the couple. Besides the Eltons, Emma invites Mr. Knightley, the Westons, and
Jane Fairfax. During the party, they discuss Jane’s trip to the post office and her handwriting.
Mr. Knightley makes another disparaging comment about Frank Churchill, claiming his writing
is like a woman’s, while Emma wonders what letters Jane might receive. Are they sent by
Mr. Dixon, or the Campbells, or another person altogether?

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