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Fiction

Notes married Robert Martin sooner and been immediately content. By taking Harriet under her
wing and giving her a sense of vanity, Emma postponed Harriet’s happiness with a succession
of heartbreaks.
It is important to note how Emma has changed in this chapter. She is a bit disappointed by
Harriet’s engagement, 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. Knightley’s
earlier view that Harriet’s marriage to Robert Martin is the most sensible choice.
The similarity between Emma Woodhouse and Frank Churchill becomes more evident in this
chapter. 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. Knightley, respectively, Frank and Emma become more
sensible and decent persons. It becomes clear that they would ultimately have been unsuitable
for one another.
In the novel, 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. Knightley 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. Knightley. Harriet has learned the truth 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, Frank Churchill marries Jane Fairfax, and later, after Mr. Woodhouse is placated,
Emma marries Mr. Knightley.

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
realizes that it will benefit his own comfort. He agrees to the marriage after a string of robberies
because he thinks that Mr. Knightley’s presence at Hartfield will keep him safe.
Emma herself finally fulfills Austen’s expectations and is married to Mr. Knightley. 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.
Knightley 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.

Self Assessment

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. Jane Austen was born on December 16, ......... .
(a) 1785 (b) 1675
(c) 1775 (d) 1975

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