Emma

Novel by Jane Austen, first published in December 1815.

Plot Summary

In this book we meet Emma Woodhouse. She thinks of herself as the most important woman of a town called Highbury. She enjoys to get involved in her aquaintances' lives, a talent not really appreciated by those she meddles with. But the only person expressing his discomfort is Mr Knightley. He's sixteen years older than Emma and his brother is married to her older sister. After 'losing' her dear governess to marriage, Emma is in search of a new friend to pass the time with. Her choice falls on a young girl named Harriet Smith. Emma, knowing that a local farmer is in love with Harriet, does not approve of this relationship. Instead she thinks she found Harriet's perfect match: young vicar Mr Elton. But Mr Elton misinterprets Emma's attempts, so that he proposes to her, instead of Harriet.

However, Emma has made it clear from the beginning, that she has no intention to get married, even though she has a secret crush on her governess' son, Frank Churchill. Two more characters arrive in town: Jane Fairfax, a poor girl coming to live with her grandmother and aunt (Mrs and Miss Bates). And Mrs Elton, the woman the vicar courted in Bath, after Emma's refusal. Mrs Elton, just like Emma, tries to be the center of attention.

After spending some time with Frank Churchill, Emma realizes, that her feelings towards him have subsided into mere friendship. What she doesn't know, is that he is already secretly engaged to young Jane Fairfax. Meanwhile, Harriet transferred her affections on to Mr Knightly, while Frank Churchill's interest in Emma causes Jane to consider becoming a governess. But this plan dissolves after the young couple is reconciled. Along the way, Emma realizes her true feelings for Mr Knightly, who feels the same way about her, too and offers her to marry him. Emma's new happiness is only darkened by the fact, that her friend Harriet is still alone. But this problem is solved, when the young farmer Robert Martin reveals the fact, that he is still in love with Harriet. Harriet accepts his courtship, so that in the end we have three new couples. And Emma, who finally realized, that it might not always be wise to meddle with other people's lives.

Sources

• Austen, Jane: Emma. London: Penguin, 2007.
• http://www.janeaustensociety.org.uk/