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Emma & Clueless

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Pride & Prejudice

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Jane Austen Society of Australia: Study Guide

Plot summary of Emma & comparisons with Clueless  - cont.

Download and fill in this version: PlotSummaryVol3.doc (58kb)
Plot summary	Characterisation	Comparison with Clueless
VOLUME THREE
Chapter 37
Emma thinks Frank must still be in love with her. Frank will be in Richmond for May/June.	“It was a clear thing he was less in love than he had been.” (261) “She had no doubt of his being less in love – but neither his agitated spirits, not his hurrying away, seemed like a perfect cure.” (262)
Chapter 38
The ball at the Crown. Mrs Elton is to lead the ball – Emma must make way for her. Emma evaluates Mr Knightley as a gentleman. Mr Elton snubs Harriet, (after Mrs Weston suggests he dance with her).Mr Knightley asks Harriet to dance. (271) Emma is asked by Mr Weston to set a good example, and Mr Knightley asks her whom she will dance with. She says that she will dance with him.	“It was almost enough to make her think of marrying.” (269) “ … excepting her own partner, there was not one among the whole young men who could be compared with him. - He moved a few steps nearer, and those few steps were enough to prove in how gentlemanlike a manner, with what natural grace, he must have danced, would he but take the trouble.” (269) “ ‘Whom are you going to dance with?’ asked Mr Knightley. ‘With you, if you will ask me.’ ‘Will you?’ ‘Indeed I will. You have shown that can dance, and you know we are not really so much brother and sister as to male it at all improper.’ ‘Brother and sister! No indeed’ ” (275)
Chapter 39
Harriet is attacked by gipsies. Frank Churchill rescues her and brings her to Hartfield. E,ma imagines Harriet and Frank as a pair. (277)
Chapter 40
Harriet brings a parcel of treasures to destroy as proof that she is over Mr Elton. Harriet now admires someone else. Emma assumes Harriet means Frank Churchill, and encourages her, but they do not actually name the gentleman concerned.	“… be assured that your raising your thoughts to him is a mark of your good taste. “ (283)
Chapter 41
Mr Knightley suspects Mr Churchill of trifling with Jane. Frank mentions a plan Mr Perry had of getting a carriage – he clams Mr Weston had written of it, but Mr Weston denies this. Tea at Hartfield – and a word puzzle game. Frank passes a word to Jane – “blunder”, Frank then gives Jane a word “Dixon:” and Jane is visibly annoyed. Mr Knightley asks Emma afterwards whether she understands the “degree of acquaintance” between Frank and Jane.	“But while so many were devoting him to Emma, and Emma herself making him over to Harriet, Mr Knightley began to suspect him of some inclination to trifle with Jane Fairfax.” (284) “The gallant young man, who seemed to love without feeling, and to recommend himself without complaisance …” (288)	(Note that here Jane Austen reports Mr Knightley’s private thoughts – it is not her usual technique to have the narrator see into the mind of a male.)
Chapter 42
Plans to picnic at Box Hill. Stawberry picking at Donwell. Jane leeves early, after entreating Emma to make an excuse for her. Frank arrives in an agitated state.	Frank: “I am thwarted in everything material. I do not consider myself at all a fortunate person.
Chapter 43
The picnic at Box Hill. (Mrs Weston stays with Mr Woodhouse) The group split into three on arrival: The Eltons; Mr Knightley with Miss Bates and Jane; Mr Churchill with Emma and Harriet. Mr Weston tried to pull it all together. Frank suggests a game – where people say clever or dull things to amuse Emma. Emma insults Miss Bates Mr and Mrs Elton walk off together – there is a discussion re.falling in love after a short acquaintance -–Frank is hypocritical in this discussion. He asks Emma to find a wife for him – a commission Emma secretly relishes – with Harriet in mind. Mr Knightley speaks to Emma privately and rebukes her for her rudeness to Muss Bates.	“Emma could not resist. ‘Ah! ma’am, but there may be a difficulty. Pardon me – but you will be limited as to number – only three at once.’ ”(306) “ ‘Oh!’ cried Emma,’I know that there is not a better creature in all the world: but you must allow, that what is good and what is ridiculous are most unfortunately blended in her.’ ” (309) “ ‘Her situation should secure your compassion. … I must, I will, I will tell you truths while I can, satisfied with proving myself your friend by very faithful counsel, and trusting that you will sometime or other do me greater justice than you can do now.’ ” (309)
Chapter 44
The next day, Emma visits Miss Bates. Jane hurries off to the bedroom, but Miss Bates returns and sits with Emma. Jane is to accept a post as governess, with the Smallridge family, near Maple Grove. Miss Bates tells Emma that Frank has been called back to Richmond.
Chapter 45
When Emma returns home, Harriet and Mr Knightley are there. Mr Knightley is to go to London. He takes her hand on hearing that she has been visiting Mrs and Miss Bates. News arrives that Mrs Churchill has died – her ‘imaginary complaints’ are now given validity. Emma looks forward to Frank being free to form an attachment to Harriet. (319) Jane is unwell – Mr Perry sees her.
Chapter 46
10 days later … Mr Weston fetches Emma to come to Mrs Weston – Emma is alarmed. Frank is engaged – to Jane Fairfax – the engagement has been kept secret since Weymouth (in October). Emma reassures Mrs Weston that her own feelings are not hurt. Emma congatulates Mr Weston	“ ‘What right had he to come among us with affections and faith engaged, and with manners so very disengaged?’ ” (326) “ ‘ What has it been but a system of hypocrisy and deceit, - espionage, and treachery?’ ” (329)
Chapter 47
Emma is now worried re. Harriet’s feelings. Harriet, however, is not alt all affected by the news. Emma begins to realise that it is Mr Knightley that Harriet admires. (It was Emma’s encouragement that spurred Harriet on.) Emma’s moment of truth. (335-6) Harriet’s basis for hope (337) Emma reflects on her own feelings for Mr Knightley. … more self-realisation (338)	“It darted through her, with the speed of an arrow, that Mr Knightley must marry no one but herself!” (335) “ ‘Harriet, I will only venture to declare, that Mr Knightley is the last man in the world, who would intentionally give any woman the idea of his feeling for her more than he really does.’ ” (338) “If Harriet, from being humble, were grown vain, it was her doing too.” (340)
Chapter 48
Emma reflects – Mr Knightley knows all her faults. If she cannot marry Mr Knightley, then she would be happier if he married no one. … She will not marry, even if Mr Knightley asks her! Mrs Weston has met with Jane, and reassured her. She now meets with Emma to communicate the same ideas . Emma regrets her past coolness to Jane. (345) (342)	“Till now that she was threatened with its loss, Emma had never known how much of her happiness depended on being first with Mr Knightley, first in interest and affection.” (341) “ ‘It is fit that the fortune should be on his side, for I think the merit will be all on her’s.’ ” (345)
Chapter 49
Emma walks in the shrubbery – Mr Knightley approaches her. Emma mentions the engagement – Mr Knightley had heard of it from Mr Weston. Emma lets Mr Knightley know that Frank has not broken her heart. Mr Knightley expresses exasperation at Frank – and some envy. Emma is too worried that this might refer to Harriet, so she does not want him to speak more. Mr Knightley expresses his love for Emma – she accepts him	“ ‘I seem to have been doomed to blindness.’ ” (349) “ ‘Abominable scoundrel! I am sorry for her. She deserves a better fate.’ ” (349) “ ‘I have very little to say for my own conduct. – I was tempted by his attentions, and allowed myself to appear pleased. … My vanity was flattered, andI allowed his attentions. … He has imposed on me, but he has not injured me. I have never been attached to him. And now I can tolerably comprehend his behaviour. He never wished to attach me. It was a blind to conceal his real situation with another. ’ ” (350) “ ‘I cannot make speeches, Emma … If I loved you less, I might be able to talk about it more. But you know what I am. – You hear nothing but truth from me. _ have blamed you, and lectured you, and you have borne it as no other woman in England would have borne it. …You understand my feelings and will return them if you can. At present, I ask only to hear, once to hear your voice.’ ” (353) “What did she say? – Just what she ought, of course. A lady always does.” (354)
Chapter 50
Emma writes a letter to Harriet – with an explanation about herself and Mr Knightley, plus a suggestion of spending a few weeks at London, at Isabella’s house. Mr Churchill has written to Mrs Weston to explain his behaviour – Mrs W sends it on to Emma to read. Frank claims that Emma’s “playfulness” in receiving his attentions, meant that there was no misunderstanding.
Chapter 51
Emma gives Mr Knightley Frank’s letter to read he does so with comments to Emma. They then discuss how to be engaged and not hurt Mr Woodhouse. -–Mr Knightley has already considered this – and offers to move to Hatfield while Mr Woodhouse lives. Emma is still concerned for Harriet. (369)	“ ‘My dear Emma, does not every thing serve to prove more and more the beauty of truth and sincerity in all our dealings with each other?’ ” (365)
Chapter 52
Harriet is in London Emma visits Jane – Miss Bates is out, but Mrs Elton is there. Mrs Elton is pleased to be ‘in Jane’s confidence’, and assumes Emma does not know about the engagement. (372-3) Mrs Elton suggests another picnic at Box Hill. Mr Elton arrives – he has walked all the way to Donwell, expecting to meet Mr Knightley, but did not find him. Jane comes down the stairs with Emma, and speaks privately to her. Jane and Frank will most likely be married after the three months of ‘deep mourning’ for Mrs Churchill.		Even all the loose ends re. Jane and Frank are tidied up – a long ‘denouement’ to the main action. Implications? Life goes on; Emma’s romance is not the only important issue; Emma needs to re-establish good relationships with a number of people; Harriet must be taken care of ... given time for Mr Martin to court her, and then returned from London. (Emma needs this resolution to be happy)
Chapter 53
Mrs Weston has a baby girl (Anna) Mr Knightley and Emma remember/discuss the influence he had for good or not in Emma’s childhood. Emma wishes she could be more open with Mr Knightley about Harriet. (380) News regarding Harriet from Isabella John’s response to Mr Knightley’s news. Mr Woodhouse has still not been told … Emma gets up the courage to tell her father. (381-2). At first her tries to dissuade Emma, but eventually agrees. Mrs Weston responds positively. (383) Mr Weston is surprised, then takes it for granted – her tells Jane, and so it spreads. The Eltons are less in favour of the match.	Re the baby … “ ‘Poor child! … What will become of her? ‘Nothing very bad. – The fate of thousands. – She will be disagreeable in infancy, and correct herself as she grows older. I am losing all my bitterness against spoilt children, my dearest Emma.’ ” (378) “ … he only hoped ‘the young lady’s pride would now be contented.’ ” (384)	Has Emma learnt? Does she wish to matchmake between the baby Miss Weston and Isabella’s sons? (378)
Chapter 54
John Knightley, Isabella and Harriet are expected in a few days. Mr Knightley brings news: Harriet is to marry Robert Martin (Mr Knightley had asked Robert to deliver some papers to John in London, and John invited Robert to Astleys and to dinner …) Emma and her father visit Mrs Weston at Randalls – Frank and Jane arrive. (Mr Kightley is NOT there). Frank makes his personal apologies to Emma. Frank’s character does not compare with Mr Knightley’s. Emma has some sympathy with Jane.	Mr K: “ ‘She will give you all the particulars, which only woman’s language can make interesting. – In our communications we deal only with the great.’ ” (386) “What had she to wish for? Nothing, but to grow more worthy of him, whose intentions and judgement had been ever so superior to her own. . Nothing, but that the lessons of her past folly might teach her humility and circumspection in future.” (389) “ ‘I think there is a little likeness between us. … If not in our dispositions, there is a likeness in our destiny; the destiny which bids fair to connect us with two characters so much superior to our own.’ ” (391-2)
Chapter 55
The London party arrives, and Emma can see for herself that Harriet is happy. Harriet’s “parentage became known.” – “the daughter of a tradesman”. Robert Martin and Harriet marry (September) – the first to marry, although the last couple to be engaged. Jane and Frank are waiting for November. Emma and Mr Knightley plan to marry in October – to allow the John and Isabella to stay with Mr Woodhouse, and for them to have a fortnight’s stayto go on a sea-side tour. It is a raid on the poultry-house of Mr Weston which prompts Mr Woodhouse to allow the date for the wedding. Mrs Elton does not approve of the lack of satin – but every other aspect of the wedding is happy.	“Such was the blood of gentility which Emma had formerly been so ready to vouch for! … The stain of illegitimacy, unbleached by nobility or wealth, would have been a stain indeed.” (394) “Harriet, necessarily drawn away by her engagements with the Martins, was less and less and Hartfield, which was not to be regretted. – The intimacy between her and Emma must sink; their friendship must change into a calmer sort of goodwill …” (395) “But in spite of these deficiencies, the wishes, the hopes, the confidence, the predictions of the small band of true friends who witnessed the ceremony, were fully answered in the perfect happiness of the union.” (396)
END OF VOLUME THREE
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