Jane Austen Novel - Emma Overview

The Jane Austen novel, Emma is one of Jane Austen's most dearly loved books. The topics covered about the Jane Austen novel - Emma in our overview are:

History of Emma

The chaplain of the Prince Regent writes to Jane Austen asking Jane to write about a man such as himself. He also indicates that the Prince would like Jane to dedicate her next novel to him. Jane dedicates Emma to the Prince.

The novel was begun on the 21^st January 1814 and finished on the 29^th March 1815, and was published by John Murray in the December of 1815.

Emma – Setting

The setting of ‘Emma’ must be the most restrictive of all Jane Austen’s novels. Emma’s father is an invalid and dislikes any kind of change, so Emma’s activity is limited to her home – Hartfield (in Surrey), the nearby village, Highbury and it’s country neighbourhood, including Randals (home of her previous governess), Donwell Abbey (Mr. Knightley’s home) and Abbey Mill farm (a local farmer’s residence.)

Emma – Characters

The most notable characters in Emma are:

· Emma

Emma is 20 years old when the story begins. She is handsome, clever and rich (with a fortune of 30,000 pounds). Emma has had some success as a matchmaker with her governess and friend, Miss Taylor, and is looking for others to 'help out' in a similar way. Emma can be a little over zealous in her matchmaking attempts, but her good intentions as well as her kindness to her father fully redeems her character in our eyes.

See also quotes about Emma's Character and Quotes said by Emma.

· Mr Woodhouse

Mr. Woodhouse is Emma’s father. He is fairly elderly, and considers himself to be an invalid. He is always extremely anxious about everyone’s health, and considers that everyone else must be just as intolerant to food, draughts, etc. as he is himself.

See also quotes said by Mr Woodhouse

· Mr. Knightley

Mr Knightley is an old friend of the family. He has known Emma ever since she was a baby, and has always tried to be a true friend of hers. Unfortunately, Emma has not always fully appreciated his expression of that friendship, which often involved pointing out her faults to her in a way that no-one else ever did. Mr Knightley is the wealthiest landowner in the area. He owns Donwell Abbey, not far from Hartfield, and often walks over to visit the Woodhouses. He is one of the few people who really understands Mr. Woodhouse, and knows how to make him comfortable.

See also quotes about Knightley's Character and Quotes said by Mr Knightley.

· Miss Taylor – who becomes Mrs. Weston

Miss Taylor was Emma’s governess, and when Emma becomes too old to need a governess any more, she remains at Hartfield as a much appreciated friend and companion. Mr. Weston becomes aware of her merits and the beginning of the novel sees a wedding between the two. It is Miss Taylor’s leaving that causes Emma to look around her for another companion, as although she still sees Mrs. Weston frequently, she is aware of her lack of friends.

· Miss Harriet Smith

Harriet Smith is ‘the natural daughter of no one knows whom’. She has been attending a school in Highbury, and now, being finished her education, has become a parlor boarder. She has just been forming an acquaintance with a family who live on Abbey Mill farm, and Emma considers herself as doing Harriet a favour by disengaging her from the family, as they are ‘beneath her’. Harriet is pretty, gentle and humble, and though not nearly as intelligent as Emma, is a very flattering and obliging friend to have.

· Miss Bates

Probably the most amusing of the comic characters in the novel, Miss Bates is a notorious chatterbox. Emma has a regard for her, and pity, as she has become rather poor, but becomes impatient with her constant chatter, especially when it relates (as it often does) to her niece, Jane Fairfax.

· Jane Fairfax

Jane Fairfax is an orphan, who has been brought up by friends of her late father with the view to her becoming a governess – a very undesirable situation for a young lady to be in. She is a very similar age to Emma, though the two have never really been close. Miss Fairfax is considered to be very accomplished, especially in music. She is, however, very reserved and guarded, which hinders others from getting to know her.

Emma – Storyline (no spoilers)

The story opens with Emma trying to cheer up her father after the wedding of Miss Taylor, Emma’s former governess. It is the loss of her friend that motivates Emma to initiate a friendship with Harriet Smith, and attempt to match make between her and the local vicar, Mr. Elton. Unfortunately her attempts backfire horribly. Not content with one disastrous matchmaking effort, Emma continues her attempts, only to have them backfire again. The question is, has she ruined Harriet’s chance for happiness, or has she ruined her own?

Quotes from Emma

There are hundreds of quotes! Check out the Emma quotes under the following topics:

Jane Austen Novel - Emma, Overview