Study Guide Home

Emma & Clueless

• Introduction
• Form of
  acknowledgements
• Syllabus
• The 'works'
• Ideas on
  Transformation
• Clueless overview
• Questionnaire
• Resources

Pride & Prejudice

• Syllabus
• The society
• Resources

Contributors

Jane Austen Society of Australia: Study Guide

Plot summary of Emma & comparisons with Clueless  - cont.

Download and fill in this version: PlotSummaryVol2.doc (46kb)
Plot summary	Characterisation	Comparison with Clueless
VOLUME TWO
Chapter 19
Visit to Miss Bates Miss Bates rambles on for a page + It is 2 years since Jane last visited – she comes next week. to spend at least 3 months with her aunt and grandmother Emma is suspicious re. mention of Jane and her brother-in-law, Mr Dixon.. Jane is not well. Emma is a little rude to Miss Bates, by leaving before the actual letter is read.	Emma “knew she was considered by the very few who presumed ever to see imperfection in her, as rather negligent in that respect, and as not contributing what she ought to the stock of their scanty comforts.” (129) “… they were just now quite safe from any letter from Jane Fairfax” (129)
Chapter 20
Jane’s background An orphan, brought up by the Campbell family. (Colonel Campbell was a friend of her father) She is destined to become a governess. Emma does not like Jane – partly because she is accomplished, while Emma does not have the patience to learn or practise. Reasons (138-9) Emma decides “she would dislike her no longer” (139) – but this does not last! There is a dinner at Hartfield. Jane is very reserved – esp. on the subject of the mysterious Frank Churchill.	“They continued together with unabated regard however, till the marriage of Miss Campbell, who by that chance, that luck which so often defies anticipation in matrimonial affairs, giving attraction to what is moderate rather than what is superior, engaged the affections of Mr. Dixon, a young man, rich and agreeable, almost as soon as they were acquainted; and was eligibly and happily settled, while Jane Fairfax had yet her bread to earn.” (137) Emma was sorry; - to have to pay civilities to a person she did not like through three long months!” (138)
Chapter 21
MrKnightley visits the morning after the dinner. Miss Bates and Jane visit, to thank Mr Woodhouse for a hindquarter of pork. News – Mr Elton is to marry! (144) Harriet visits – she is in a fluster – but it is not the news of Mr Elton that causes this – it is the fact that she has met Mr Robert Martin at the draper’s shop. Emma tells Harriet re. Mr Elton	“What arises from discretion must be honoured.” (143) “Miss Woodhouse lets me chatter on, so good-humouredly.She knows I would not offend for the world.” (146)
Chapter 22
Mr Elton’s courtship of Augusta Hawkins. Elizabeth Martin has left a note at Mrs Goddard’s for Harriet – and now the visit meeds to be returned.	“to give her the impression of his not being improved by the mixture of pique and pretension, now spread over his air." (152) “She had talked Harriet into love; but alas! Se was not so easily to be talked out of it.…. Harriet was one of those girls who, having once begun, would always be in love.” (153)
Chapter 23
Emma escorts Harriet to the Martin’s house – and allows her 15 minutes! They meet Mr and Mrs Weston on the way home – Frank is to come tomorrow. Mrs Weston is a little nervous. Nest morning – Frank comes with his father, to be introduced to Emma. Frank knows how to please – he praises Mrs Weston to Emma Frank will visit Miss Fairfax – they had met in Weymouth	“… for she has an aunt who never holds her tongue.” (Emma - 161)
Chapter 24
Frank comes again, this time with Mrs Weston. They walk around Highbury together. Frank reports to Emma on his visit to the Bates the day before. He criticises Janes’ complexion (165) Emma and Frank also gossip re. Jane and Mr. Dixon. Emma and Frank “think alike”.	“He perfectlyagreed with her; and after walking together so long, and thinking so much alike, Emma felt herself so well acquainted with him, that she could hardly believe it to be only their second meeting.” (169)
Chapter 25
Frank goes to London – for a haircut. Emma assesses his character The Coles are of lower social standing than Emma – an invitation from them must be refused. The invitation comes – Emma accepts it – after a busy time convincing her father that she can go and not have a curfew.	“…there was such an air of foppery and nonsense in it which she could not approve.” (170) “there was nothing to denote him unworthy of the distinguished honour which her imagination had given him; the honour, if not of being really in love with her, or being at least very near it, and saved by her own indifference – the honour, in short of being marked out for her by all their joint acquaintance.” (171) The Coles: “of low origin, in trade and only moderately genteel” (171)
Chapter 26
Diner party at the Coles – Frank sits next to Emma at the table A pianoforte for Jane Fairfax – from whom?? Frank and Emma gossip – the pianoforte must be from Jane’s secret admirer – Mr. Dixon Frank criticises Jane’s hair, but goes immediately to ask her about it – to see “whether she colours”.(184) Mrs Weston then sits next to Emma – they discuss the fact that Mr Knightley sent his carriage for Jane and Miss Bates. Emma is outraged at a possible match between Jane and Mr Knightley. Frank sings a second part while Emma plays the pianoforte. He then does it while Jane plays. Emma reflects on a possible Knightley/Fairfax marriage – it would harm the interests of Henry, the heir of Donwell! Dancing begins, and Frank dances with Emma. He says that Janes “languid dancing” would not have suited him. (190)	“She was his object, and everybody must perceive it.” (182) “ I know no man more likely than Mr Knightley to do the sort of thing – to do anything really good-natured, useful, considerate, or benevolent. He is not a gallant man, but he is a very humane one …” (185) Mrs Weston: “In short, I have made a match between Mr Knightley and Jane Fairfax. See the consequences of keeping you company! What do you say to it?” (185)
Chapter 27
Emma has misgivings re. her discussions with Frank. Harriet and Emma walk in Highbury, meet Frank, then go to the Bates’ house to hear the new pianoforte.	2 pages of Miss Bates’ monologue re. baked apples.
Chapter 28
At the Bates’ house.Jane appears emotional – Emma thinks it is due to the (romantic) gift of the pianoforte. Frank teases Jane about the pianoforte; Jane blushes – Emma reads this as “cherishing very reprehensible feelings.” Mr Knighley on horseback stops outside the window – Miss Bates has a loud conversation with him- about the party the night before, and his gift of the apples.
Chapter 29
Planning for a ball Inspecting the rooms at the Crown inn. (209) Frank asks Emma for the first 2 dances of the planned ball, to the delight of Mr Weston. (211)
Chapter 30
A letter arrives from Mrs Churchill – she is ill and Frank is needed. Frank comes to say goodbye to Emma – he has already visited Miss Bates and Jane. He says that Emma must suspect something – but he does not explain. Emma misreads him.	“He was more in love with her than Emma had supposed."”(215) “I must be in love; I should be the oddest creature in the world if I were not – for a few weeks at least!” (216)
Chapter 31
Emma decides she is not in love with Frank after all. (217) She explores the possibility of Frank as a match for Harriet. (219) News of Mr Elton’s “wedding-day [being] named”. Harriet is distraught – Emma finally persuades her to get over Mr Elton, to help Emma feel less guilty. (220)	“Your allowing yourself to be so occupied and unhappy about Mr Eton’s marrying, Harriet,is the strongest reproach you can make me.” (220)
Chapter 32
Mr Elton brings his bride to Highbury. Emma does not like her. Mrs Elton compares Hartfield to Maple Grove, her brother-in-law’s “seat”.	“Mrs Elton was a vain woman, extremely well satisfied with herself, and thinking much of her own importance … her society would certainly do Mr Elton no good.” (223) “Insufferable woman!” (229)
Chapter 33
Mrs Elton intends to patronise Jane. The Campbells write to invite Jane to join them in Ireland. Jane refuses. Emma is talking with Mrs Weston and Mr Knightley – she refers indirectly to his admiration ofJane. He denies any attraction. Later Mrs Weston says that he clams to not be in love … but …	Mrs Weston: “He is so very much occupied with the idea of not being in love with her, that I should not wonder if it were to end in his being so at last.” (237)
Chapter 34
Emma’s dinner party for the Eltons. Jane is talking to John Knightley, and seems emotional – re. friendship (and letters from the Post Office) Emma suspects letters from Ireland for Jane.
Chapter 35
The ladies are in the drawing-room after dinner Discussion of suitable positions for Jane. Mrs Elton is determined to find families who need a governess. Mr Weston joins them after a day of business in London – Frank is to come to London, and will be ale to spend half his time at Randalls.
Chapter 36
Mr Weston talks with Mrs Elton. They discuss Frank (and upstarts). John’s 2 sons are to spend some tine at Hartfield. Mr Knightey offers to take them if they are too much for Emma.(256)	“I have quite a horror of upstarts. Maple Grove has given me a thorough disgust to people of that sort.” (255)
END OF VOLUME TWO