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Jayatee Bhattacharya, Lovely Professional University Unit 9: Emma Plot Construction

Unit 9: Emma Plot Construction Notes

CONTENTS
Objectives
Introduction
9.1 Plot Construction

9.1.1 Summary of Plot Construction
9.2 Summary
9.3 Keywords
9.4 Review Questions
9.5 Further Readings

Objectives

After studying this unit, you will be able to:
• Explain the plot construction of Emma
• Discuss the summary of the plot construction.

Introduction

Emma Woodhouse is the top girl in her town. She’s rich, pretty, and intelligent. She swears
she will never marry, and takes up matchmaking, which she thinks she’s good at. While doing
this she manages to break some hearts and get a marriage proposal from Mr Elton, who she
was trying to match-make with her best friend, Harriet. While sunbbing the other girl the
village (who would’ve been her friend but who Emma looks down on), Jane fairfax, a shy girl,
she also gets involved in a friendly courtship with Mr. Frank Churchill, a young rich man who
is very friendly and a big flirt. Her self-appointed mentor, Mr Knightley (brother-in-law)
disapproves, but Emma dosen’t listen to him. He thinks Emma isn’t doing a good job at
matchmaking or anything for that matter, but she just brushes him off mostly. He also thinks
Frank Churchill is a improper guy, but he’s biased. Frank Churchill, while being friendly and
flirty, manages to accidentally get a crush on Emma, but the next time she sees him, is over
her. Meanwhile, he enjoys joining her in teasing Jane and mocking her and her aunt,
Miss Bates. Jane is much more intelligent and prettier than Harriet, but Emma’s dislike for her
stems in jealousy and grows through Jane’s shyness, which Emma interprets as snobbery, not
realizing that she is the real snob. After awhile, after insulting Miss Bates publicly, Emma gets
a rather large scolding from Mr knightley, and goes to make amends with Jane and Miss Bates.
Miss Bates, always agreeable, forgives her immediately, but Jane, pretending to be sick, refuses
to see her. Emma goes home, puzzled. She tries to visit Jane again, when she hears that other
people have seen her, but is told she is too sick to see anyone. She tried to send medicine, only
to have it returned. Finally, realizing in despair that Jane is not so willing to forgive her, stops.
She is confused, sorry for mocking Jane, and annoyed at her previous best friend, Harriet, who
confessed she had a crush on Mr Knightley, who Emma is secretly in love with. Meanwhile,
she finds the shocking news that Frank Churchill all this time was engaged to Jane Fairfax.
Shocked and dismayed at Frank’s behavior, not only to herself, but his nasty treatment of Jane,
understand’s Jane’s feelings towards her immediately. Jane saw Emma as competition. Now

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