Chapter 1-8 summary
Emma Woodhouse is a beautiful, bright, well-off young woman. She is the youngest daughter of Mr. Woodhouse. Her older sister married years ago, and their mother died even longer ago--two events which left Emma as mistress of the house.
For sixteen years Miss Taylor lived with the Woodhouse family, and she became a particular friend to Emma, in spirit more a sister. Miss Taylor had married the nice Mr. Weston, and she no longer lived with the Woodhouse family.
Mr. Woodhouse is a hypochondriac, fearful of any amusement. Hating change, he takes Miss Taylor's departure very hard, and Emma, though sad herself, does her best to comfort him. He had not yet grown accustomed to Isabella's marriage, and the removal of Miss Taylor made him even more depressed and disapproving of matrimony. Emma arranged for visits, and tried to keep his evenings full. Their longest and closest friends were the Westons and Mr. Knightley. But they had other acquaintances too, including the preacher Mr. Elton, Mrs. Bates, Miss Bates, and Mrs. Goddard.
Mr. Weston was a native of Highbury, born into a family of the higher class. He was well educated and chose the military as his profession. He met a wealthy young woman, Miss Churchill, whom he married despite her family's objections. Her family disowned her, and though she loved her husband, she missed Enscombe and her previous life of ease. She died after giving birth to a boy, Frank, whom Mr. Churchill and Mrs. Churchill took to raise. After this Mr. Weston went into trade, and lived the next twenty years happy and alone in Highbury. His money belonged to himself, as his son would be the Churchill's heir, not his own. Therefore he had the money to marry Miss Taylor, a governess with little dowry.
Though not a clever girl, Emma determined to make Harriet her friend. Harriet had just returned from visiting the Martin family in their Donwell home. Emma, who had decided without proof that Harriet must be of the upper class, felt that the Martins were too low an acquaintance. She decided to introduce Harriet to "better" people, and find her new friends. That evening at supper the anxious Mr. Woodhouse urged his guests to stay away from the rich foods at table, and to try only a tiny bit of boiled egg or gruel. Emma did her best to feed her guests, and the evening was cheerful, with Harriet feeling proud to have received such attention from the great Miss Woodhouse. Harriet Smith soon became a regular visitor to Hartfield. She was a sweet girl, eager to be guided by someone like Miss Woodhouse.
Emma fears that Harriet's friend Mr. Martin, a single young man, might have designs on her friend. Emma felt he was too low-class for Harriet, even though Harriet's parentage is not known. Emma has Harriet describe Mr. Martin, which she does enthusiastically. Emma snubs him, doubting she would ever have noticed this resident of Highbury. She tells Harriet that when he marries, she won't be able to see Mr. Martin because his wife will likely be too low-class. The next day they ran into Mr. Martin, and Emma is convinced that she was right, seeing in him no manners or class. Harriet was excited and surprised to see him, but Emma burst her bubble by telling her exactly what she thought of Mr. Martin. Somewhat shamed to hear her friend talked about this way, Harriet tried her best to agree with Emma and still stick up for Mr. Martin. Emma compares Mr. Martin to a gentleman Harriet has met, and Harriet cannot help but see the differences. Emma switches topics suddenly, and begins to praise Mr. Elton. She wants to match Harriet with Mr. Elton, and when Harriet compliments him, Emmas plan is set in motion. She believes Mr. Elton to be of an acceptable class, and already aware of Harriet's beauty and charms.
Mr. George Knightley and Mrs. Weston are discussing Emma and her new friend Harriet Smith. Mr. Knightley is critical of the relationship, and predicts a bad outcome. Mrs. Weston thinks that the girls will encourage each other, but Mr. Knightley sees Emma as a girl with great aspirations but little motivation. Mr. Knightley predicts that this friendship will only make Harriet uncomfortable with her former acquaintances, while still out of place in the upper class. Harriet practically worships Emma, which is the last thing Emmas ego need. The two discuss the possibility of Emma's marrying. Mr. Knightley thinks it would do her good to be in love, though she has promised never to marry. Leaving her father would be difficult, and Mrs. Weston drops a hint that though Emma has no prospects at present, in the future her son could make a good match. Mr. Knightley did not seem to notice, and changed the subject.
Emma was content that Harriet's heart and mind were refocusing on Mr. Elton. She saw what she wanted to see, and imagined that Mr. Elton was falling for Harriet too. He praised Emma for the great change she had made in Harriet. And when Emma suggested that Harriet sit for a portrait, Mr. Elton seconded the idea strongly. They convinced the reluctant Harriet to sit for it, and Emma began. She was a good artist, though she rarely finished anything she started. The first day went well, and Emma planned to finish the work with a slight exaggeration of Harriet's finer features, and a slight decrease in her negative ones. Mr. Elton offered to have the picture framed in London, which Emma saw as a sign of his love for the subject, not the artist. Emma is happy with this offer; though she thinks Mr. Elton too brooding a lover, and is happy she is second in his eyes.
The day Mr. Elton left for London; a very excited Harriet arrived at Hartfield with a letter from Mr. Martin. It was a marriage proposal, and Harriet came to ask Miss Woodhouse what to do. Harriet was obviously flattered with the loving act, and praised the way Mr. Martin wrote. Emma read the letter, and was surprised by how sincerely and skillfully he wrote. She does her best to put down the letter, and when Harriet asks what she should do, Emma acts as though it is only the style, and not the substance of her letter, which Harriet might need help with. Emma expects her to refuse the proposal, but Harriet is not sure. She hesitates, and Emma suggests, "'I lay it down as a general rule, Harriet, that if a woman doubts as to whether she should accept a man or not, she certainly ought to refuse him. If she can hesitate as to "Yes," she ought to say "No" directly.'" Chapter 7, pg. 47. Emma tries to make she appears neutral, but she pushes Harriet to really examine whether he is the right man. She asks Harriet if Mr. Martin is the best man she knows, encouraging her to think (hopefully) of Mr. Elton. It works, Emma having convinced Harriet to aim high, and she decides to refuse him.
Mr. Martin is not far from Harriet's mind, but Emma does her best to turn these thoughts to Mr. Elton and the portrait. Emma inflates Harriet's ego, suggesting that the portrait is a close and prized possession to Mr. Elton. Though Emma is only speculating, Harriet seems to like the idea.
Harriet has been spending so much time at Hartfield that Emma has a bedroom made up for her. One morning when Harriet is absent from Hartfield, Mr. Knightley stops by. After some dawdling Mr. Woodhouse excuses himself and leaves to take a walk. Now alone with Emma, Mr. Knightley compliments Harriet, and admits that Emma has helped her. He has news, and alludes to Mr. Martin's marriage proposal. Mr. Martin had asked his advice, and the gentleman advised Mr. Martin to act on his feelings. Emma tries to hide her own knowledge, but eventually cannot help it and tells Mr. Knightley what occurred. He is shocked and angry that Miss Smith would do something so stupid, and he blames Emma. This may be her only proposal, and Emma has ruined it. In Mr. Knightley's opinion Emma greatly misjudged Mr. Martin, and she could not help but feel bad for so upsetting her friend. His respect was important to her, but she was still not willing to change.
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