Emma Major Characters

Introduction

Jane Austen, (Emma Chapters )(born December 16, 1775, Steventon, Hampshire, England—died July 18, 1817, Winchester, Hampshire), English writer  and novelist known primarily for her six major novels, which interpret (explain), critique (a detailed analysis and assessment of something), and comment upon the British landed gentry (British social class of landowners) at the end of the 18th century. Austen's plots often explore the dependence of women on marriage in the pursuit of favorable social standing and economic security. Who first gave the novel its distinctly modern character through her treatment of ordinary people in everyday life. She published four novels during her lifetime: Sense and Sensibility (1811), Pride and Prejudice (1813), Mansfield Park (1814), and Emma (1815). In these and in Persuasion and Northanger Abbey (published together posthumously, 1817), she vividly depicted English middle-class life during the early 19th century. Her novels defined the era’s novel of manners, but they also became timeless classics that remained critical and popular successes for over two centuries after her death.

Emma Major Characters

Emma Woodhouse: The daughter of Mr. Woodhouse, and sister to Isabella. Emma is beautiful, clever, and rich. She can be generous (ಉದಾರ) and caring, as in her behavior to her father and the poor family she visits. But she is also a snob (ಹೆಮ್ಮೆಗಾರ having or showing the attitude of people who think they are better than other people), and she does not always suppress (forcibly put an end to, to keep secret.) her honesty. She has good intentions with Harriet Smith, whom she befriends and tries to improve. But she ignores the girl's questionable origins and elevates (raise) her to a place where she is comfortable and acceptable nowhere. Emma has a strong imagination, and it often gets her in trouble. She loves matchmaking, and she looks so hard for clues that she will often manufacture them. Such is the case for Harriet Smith and Mr. Elton, then Harriet and Frank Churchill, then Harriet and Mr. Knightley. She also likes to gossip, and she invents an affair between Jane Fairfax and Mr. Dixon. She is a romantic, and this attention to the hearts of others keeps her from examining her own. When she does, she realizes that she loves Mr. Knightley. He loves her too, and they marry. Emma Woodhouse experiences a great reversal (a change to an opposite direction) in character. When she insults Miss Bates at Box Hill, Mr. Knightley's reprimand (a formal expression of disapproval) really shames her. Emma reexamines not just this, but all her behavior. She sees how poorly she acted toward Jane Fairfax, Harriet Smith, and Miss Bates. The next morning she makes amends with Miss Bates, and she tries to help Jane Fairfax. Emma distances herself from Harriet, fearful she will hurt her again. Good conduct (satisfactory, the way a person behaves toward other people) becomes her new goal, and she hopes to become a better person. She is rewarded with Mr. Knightley.

Mr. Woodhouse: Isabella and Emma's father. He is an old man, accustomed (usual) to the doting attention of his youngest daughter. He hates change, and therefore greets (welcome) marriage as a misery (unhappy). With little else to do he obsesses (egoistic, dominate) about his health and the health of others, making him a terrible hypochondriac (a person who is abnormally anxious about their health). He is in constant conversation with Mr. Perry, the town doctor, as rich food, a slight drizzle (light rain falling in very fine drops), or a tiny breeze can send him into a panic (sudden uncontrollable fear). He shares his fears with all around him, and they often affect social engagements. He does not like big parties, or late nights. Mostly his good-natured friends accommodate him. His worry is incessant (in/ces/sant, continuing without pause or interruption.), and he would likely have a terrible (extremely bad or serious) life if not for his daughter. Emma humors him, cares for him, and tries to keep him busy with visits from friends and family.

Isabella Woodhouse/ Mrs. John Knightley: The eldest daughter of Mr. Woodhouse. She has been married for several years, and lives in London. Mr. Woodhouse greatly regrets (feel sad) her loss, and speaks of her as though she were dead or in prison, instead of happily married. She and her husband get along well, and she loves being a wife and mother. She shares her father's obsessive (ob/se/ssive, is a mental (illness that causes repeated unwanted thoughts or sensations

) concerns about illness, which her husband stands as best he can.

Miss Taylor/Mrs. Weston: Emma's governess, she becomes Mrs. Weston at the start of the novel. As Miss Taylor the governess had some influence over the headstrong (energetically wilful and determined) Miss Woodhouse, but she was more friend than teacher. She is a kind, wonderful woman, and has the respect of all of Highbury.

Mr. Weston: The good-natured man who marries Miss Taylor. He is also the father of Frank Churchill. He and Emma are good friends, but Mr. Weston is so agreeable that one could say he is good friends with everyone.

Mr. George Knightley: Mr. George Knightley is an old friend of the Woodhouse family. His house is nearby, and he pays many casual visits to Hartfield. He has known Emma since she was a child, and he has always advised her to do right. Emma did not always appreciate his advice, but he was always there for her. A kind, generous, but also rational man, he was the only person who would ever point out Emma's faults. Also her protector, Mr. Knightley became concerned about her behavior with Frank Churchill. Mr. Knightley did not like the young man, and would only later realize he was jealous of him. He guessed the secret engagement with Miss Fairfax, and he was happy to hear that Emma was not in love with Mr. Churchill, for both their sakes. Mrs. Weston wanted to pair him with Jane Fairfax, and Harriet fell in love with him herself. But despite (without being affected by without being affected by

) his kind and gracious (kind, and pleasant, especially towards someone of lower social status.) behavior to Harriet at the dance, his heart only belonged to Emma. When he finally told her, he learned his love was happily returned. Anxious (an/xious, feeling or showing worry ( feeling or showing worry

) to marry her, he offered to move to Hartfield, to make things easier on her father. Mr. Knightley is the kindest, most attractive man in the novel, and he and Emma finally marry.

Mr. John Knightley: George's brother, and husband to Isabella Woodhouse. He is generally a good man, but he can be irritable or ill tempered (short tempered). He does not have much patience for either his wife or his father-in-law's hypochondria (abnormal chronic anxiety about one's health.). He prefers to be at home, and parties make him uncomfortable. He is the first to guess that Mr. Elton has feelings for Emma, and later he is not surprised to hear of his brother's engagement to Emma. Despite (without being affected by( without being affected by

) Emma's claims to matchmaking, it seems like Mr. John Knightley is a much better judge of the human heart.

Mr. Elton: The town preacher (a person who preaches, especially a minister of religion.). Beloved by all, yet he is not married. He falls in love with Emma, who wants him to marry Harriet. He is offended at this suggestion, and leaves town. When he returns it is with a new wife. Where once Emma saw a kind man, there is now smugness (excessive pride in oneself or one's achievements), resentment (bitterness, irritation), and vanity (excessive pride in oneself or one's achievements(excessive pride in oneself or one's achievements). He believes his wife superior to Miss Woodhouse, and the couple never misses a chance to slight Emma or her friend.

Frank Churchill: The foppish (concerned with one's clothes and appearance in an affected and excessive way (typically used of a man).) son of Mr. Weston and his first wife. His aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. Churchill, raised him. Under the care of his aunt, he is also subject to her whims (a sudden desire or change of mind). She uses her illness to manipulate (handle or control ) him, and his visits to Highbury are at her mercy (pity, compassion or forgiveness shown towards someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm.). But he also plans his visit around Miss Fairfax. He met her in Weymouth (place name), and the two entered a secret engagement. The Westons hope he will marry Emma, so to divert attention from his secret, he flirts (tease, behave as though sexually attracted to someone) with her. He is not heartless, and claims he only flirted with her because he thought Emma knew his secret. Frank Churchill is charming and attractive, and for a brief period Emma thinks herself in love. Then she tries, unsuccessfully, to attach him to Miss Smith. Luckily it did not work, because soon after Mrs. Churchill's death the engagement is revealed. Frank Churchill begs forgiveness, and receives it. Despite (without being affected by(without being affected by

) his often-poor treatment of Jane, she agreed to marry him, and the two are very much in love.

Miss Bates: The town chatterbox. She is a sweet woman, and everyone loves her. Though she is not married, pretty, or rich, she has the respect and admiration (respect and warm approval.) of everyone. Emma finds her constant babbling annoying (to talk a lot, the action or fact of talking rapidly and continuously in a foolish), and during the Box Hill party she insults Miss Bates. So wonderful is this woman that she does not get angry with Emma; rather she blames herself, and thinks Miss Woodhouse wonderful for putting up with her. It was very wrong for Emma to insult Miss Bates, who is so inferior (lower in rank, status, or quality.) in class to her. Emma seeks her forgiveness the next day, and gains it, of course.

Harriet Smith: The pretty but dull young woman whom Emma adopts as a sort of remodeling project. She is a boarder (a person who receives regular meals when staying somewhere) at Mrs. Goddard's, but her parentage (the identity and origins of one's parents.) is unknown. Emma thinks she must be from an aristocratic (aristo/critic, noble, upper class ) family, and soon Harriet believes this lie. Emma wants to improve her friend, and though she has good intentions, this elevation (the action or fact of raising) hurts Harriet. She refuses a proposal from Mr. Martin, whom Emma believes to be too low-class. Then Emma encourages her to set her sights on Mr. Elton. But the preacher falls in love with Emma, scorning (feel or express contemp) Harriet as too low class. After this disaster (a sudden accident ), Emma tries to leave Harriet's love life alone. But two things happen to Harriet--she is saved by Mr. Knightley one day, Mr. Churchill the next. At the Crown Inn dance, when Mr. Elton refuses to dance with Harriet, Mr. Knightley comes along and asks her. Several days later, Mr. Churchill saves Harriet from some gypsies (A Gypsy is a member of a race of people who travel from place to place, usually in caravans

). Emma is sure Harriet is in love with Frank, so she encourages the girl to hope. But it is really Mr. Knightley she loves, and Harriet is to be disappointed again when Mr. Knightley and Emma proclaim (announce officially or publicly) their love. But luckily Harriet is not distressed (sorrow, or pain.), because Mr. Martin has proposed to her again, and she has accepted. Often indecisive (indi/ci/sive,  not providing a clear and definite result.), in the absence of Miss Woodhouse Harriet was able to make the best decision of her life.

The Martin family: The family of farmers who befriend Harriet. She spends several months with them before she meets Miss Woodhouse, and she and Mr. Martin grow to like each other. But after hearing Miss Woodhouse's opinions on his status, Harriet treats the family badly and refuses Mr. Martin's proposal. She stops visiting, and when she does, it is considered an insult. They are forgiving, however; the daughter Elizabeth breaks the ice, and Mr. Martin eventually (in the end)proposes again. The second time he is accepted.

Mr. Martin: The farmer who loves Harriet. He proposes to her twice, he loves her so much. Emma thinks him too low class, but Harriet finally decides to marry him, and it is considered a good match.

Jane Fairfax: The orphaned daughter of Miss Jane Bates and Lieutenant Fairfax(/lɛfˈtɛnənt/ a rank of officer in the British army). A friend of her father's took her into his family and paid for her education, hoping to secure her a good position as a governess. With no dowry, she cannot expect to marry. But she falls in love with Frank Churchill, and the two become secretly engaged. Jane takes a governess position after she and Frank have a fight, but after Mrs. Churchill's death, he and Jane are able to marry. Jane is a beautiful, elegant(graceful and stylish in appearance or manner), accomplished (highly trained or skilled in a particular activity) girl. Emma does not like her, though she cannot come up with a reason. Mr. Knightley thinks she is jealous, and Emma later realizes she is. When Emma realizes her error she does all she can to correct it, despite (without being affected by; in spite of.) Jane's cold reception (the action or process of receiving something sent) of her attempts.

Miss Hawkins/Mrs. Elton: The conceited (excessively proud of oneself; vain) social climber whom Mr. Elton marries. She thinks herself high class, though her only claim to greatness is her brother-in-law's fortune (chance or luck as an arbitrary force affecting human affairs). She likes to be the center of attention and showcase how elegant (graceful and stylish in appearance or manner), intelligent, and talented she is. Actually none of these things, Emma thinks she is an awful (very bad or unpleasant) person. Everyone else puts up with her, but Emma finds this upstart (a person who has risen suddenly in rank or importance, especially one who behaves arrogantly.) an affront (an action or remark that causes outrage or offence) to her position, and is less forgiving. Mrs. Elton does not like Emma either, for many of the same reasons Emma does not like her.