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Unit 8: Jane Austen—Emma

when other characters do travel often. Perhaps Emma never leaves Highbury because there is Notes
no need: she has everything she desires there.
This chapter is also significant for the mention of Jane Fairfax, whose talents and bearing make
her a continual aggravation to Emma. Austen contrasts the ideal Jane Fairfax, who would be
Emma’s intellectual match, with Harriet Smith, who will only flatter Emma. Significantly, only
Mr. Woodhouse, who refuses to think badly of his daughter under any circumstances, thinks
that Harriet is a perfect friend for Emma.
Chapter Thirteen: Mr. Weston invites members of Highbury society to dine with his family
at Randalls on Christmas Eve. Although Harriet Smith is invited, she cannot attend because
of a cold. Despite Emma’s reluctance, Mr. Elton still resolves to attend. Mr. Woodhouse also
attends the party, despite inclement weather that would usually force his absence - still, he
remains unpleasant and anxious. Emma is displeased that Mr. Elton seems unaffected by
Harriet’s absence; she is also taken aback by his overly familiar manner in addressing her.
Mr. John Knightley comments to Emma how Mr. Elton seems infatuated with her.

Analysis: Emma finally realizes that Mr. Elton has no interest in Harriet Smith and is instead
infatuated with Emma herself. Like his brother, Mr. John Knightley serves to shatter Emma’s
delusions, but in his manner he differs sharply. While Mr. Knightley has impeccable taste and
manners, Emma’s brother-in-law abrupt and direct. When Emma realizes that Mr. Elton is
interested in her, her opinion of him worsens considerably. She begins to realize his flaws,
most importantly that he is too eager to please when it concerns women.

Chapter Fourteen: During her visit with the Westons, Mr. Elton continually attempts to be
near Emma, who still hopes that she can fix the situation in Harriet’s favor. Emma hears more
about Frank Churchill and begins to wonder about the possibility of a match between them.
Of all the men that she knows, Frank seems to suit her the best in terms of age, character, and
condition.
Analysis: At the Weston’s Christmas Eve party, Emma suffers from her two companions.
Mr. Elton is too eager to please, while Mr. John Knightley is completely unwilling to do so.
Despite her growing dislike for Mr. Elton, she remains civil to him, still holding some hope
that she can fix the situation. Yet again, Emma demonstrates her best trait and bears every
slight or inconvenience without making a mistake in etiquette.
This is the first part of the novel in which Emma actually considers marriage for herself. It is
significant that even Emma, who can presumably marry anyone she wants, thinks of marriage
in practical terms. Her considerations are age, character, and condition, essentially, the same
status considerations that other women must take into account. At no point does Austen
mention love. It is even more striking that Emma decides that Frank Churchill would be a
suitable husband before even meeting him. She already knows what she needs to know—his
age, his status, and his familial connections—and other information is secondary.
Frank Churchill’s story echoes that of his late mother. The Churchill family exerted great
control and influence over their daughter, cutting her off when she disobeyed their wishes by
marrying Mr. Weston. Similarly, Frank Churchill’s aunt (who raised him) is very demanding,
and seems to prevent him from visiting his father. Some bitterness remains from Mr. Weston’s
first marriage, and thus the Churchill family wishes to keep Frank away from him when at all
possible.

Chapters 15-21

Chapter Fifteen: Mr. Elton asks Emma about Harriet Smith’s illness, but it seems as if he were
more concerned that Emma might possibly fall sick. By the end of the visit with the Westons,

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