Summary The visit of the John Knightleys is a delightful one, with casual visiting in the neighborhood; but one event calls for persuading Mr. Woodhouse: They must all dine at Randalls on the day before Christmas. The dinner is to include Harriet, Mr. Elton, and George Knightley; but Harriet goes […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Volume 1: Chapter XIIISummary and Analysis Volume 1: Chapters XI-XII
Summary The John Knightleys arrive from London with their five children for the Christmas vacation with the Woodhouses. Isabella is in interests very much like her father, except that her disposition is a little more amiable and her concerns over matters of health have a more varied outlet; she submits […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Volume 1: Chapters XI-XIISummary and Analysis Volume 1: Chapters IX-X
Summary The framed portrait arrives, and Emma turns to improving Harriet further. It is, however, easier to chat than read, and so they turn to the only “literary” pursuit interesting to Harriet: riddles, which she starts collecting in a book. Mr. Elton is persuaded to compose a charade, which he […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Volume 1: Chapters IX-XSummary and Analysis Volume 1: Chapter VIII
Summary Since Harriet now has a bedroom at the Woodhouses, she sleeps at Hartfield this night. The next morning, while she is away at Mrs. Goddard’s, George Knightley calls and talks with Emma. He voluntarily discusses Harriet, thinking that he sees improvement in her; then he indicates that Harriet can […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Volume 1: Chapter VIIISummary and Analysis Volume 1: Chapter VII
Summary On the very day of Mr. Elton’s going to London, Harriet receives a letter with a direct proposal of marriage from Robert Martin. When shown it, Emma admits that it is a well-written letter but plants doubt in Harriet’s mind. When Harriet asks her point-blank what she should do, […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Volume 1: Chapter VIISummary and Analysis Volume 1: Chapter VI
Summary Emma is pleased with her development of Harriet, especially in the latter’s progressing sensibility toward Mr. Elton. She feels likewise that there is some success in regard to Mr. Elton, who has perceived “the striking improvement of Harriet’s manner.” With his eager agreement, Emma proposes to do a drawing […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Volume 1: Chapter VISummary and Analysis Volume 1: Chapter V
Summary George Knightley and Mrs. Weston have a discussion — a near argument, in fact — about Emma’s relation with Harriet. George is convinced that nothing good can come of it for either party. When Mrs. Weston says it will lead to Emma’s reading more, his short reply is that […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Volume 1: Chapter VSummary and Analysis Volume 1: Chapters III-IV
Summary Mr. Woodhouse is fond of society among his intimates who “visit him on his own terms,” especially for evening parties: George Knightley, the Westons, Mr. Elton, Mrs. Goddard, and Mrs. and Miss Bates. A happy woman, Miss Bates is known for her “universal good-will and contented temper” and for […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Volume 1: Chapters III-IVSummary and Analysis Volume 1: Chapter II
Summary Mr. Weston, a Highbury native of respectable family, was formerly a captain in the militia, a life that led him to meet and marry Miss Churchill of a great Yorkshire family. When she died three years later, their one child Frank went to live with the Churchills and took […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Volume 1: Chapter IISummary and Analysis Volume 1: Chapter I
Summary In the town of Highbury Emma Woodhouse, a handsome, clever, and rich young lady of twenty-one, is left alone with her indulgent widower father by the marriage of Miss Taylor, her governess and friend of sixteen years, to Mr. Weston. Emma’s older sister Isabella is married to John Knightley, […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Volume 1: Chapter I