Mr. Knightley leading Harriet to dance with him Emma felt so surprised with that. She was all pleasure and gratitude for both Harriet and herself. Emma
really wanted to say thank you for Mr. Knightley for helping Harriet from Mr. Elton’s behavior toward Harriet. Austen, p. 259
After Mr. Knightley has expressed his love toward Emma, it makes her realize that she has the same feeling too toward him. In the same situation, Emma
also realizes that her true need is to find a good match for herself, not for others. The relationship between Emma and Mr. Knightley made Harriet’s hopes
had been entirely groundless, a mistake, as complete a delusion as any of her own- that Harriet was nothing; that what she had been all taken as the language of her
own feelings. Austen, p. 337
2. Emma Woodhouse’s Intrapersonal Conflicts
This part is the analysis of Emma Woodhouse’s intrapersonal conflicts in the process of finding a good partner for Harriet and a true lover for herself.
2.1 Deciding whether or not Emma and Mr. Knightley will stay together with Mr. Woodhouse in Hartfield after their marriage
In the beginning of the novel, Emma tells her father that she would not get married, although she must become a matchmaker for other people Austen. p.
24, but the different situation goes far from what she has said. As time goes by, Emma realizes that she loves Mr. Knightley and she cannot lose him. Emma gets
dilemma with her own previous principle that she would not get married in order to take care of her father, Mr. Woodhouse. On the other hand, Emma falls in love
with Mr. Knightley and she wants to marry him.
Marriage, in fact, would not do for her. It would be incompatible with what she owed to her father, and with what she felt for him. Nothing should
separate her from her father. She would not marry, even if she were asked by Mr. Knightley. Austen, p. 326
But, after Mr. Knightley says that he loves Emma, actually Emma feels doubt. Emma gets the happiest moment in her life after knowing that Emma and
Mr. Knightley love each other. But, Emma also thinks about her father, she never wants to leave him alone. Emma thinks that it must be only an engagement
between her and Mr. Knightley while Mr. Woodhouse is still alive. Emma has an idea to sacrifice her own happiness in order to give her father happiness. Austen,
p. 340 When Emma and Mr. Knightley decide to think again about the plan of
their marriage, Emma was thinking hard about both her father and Mr. Knightley. Emma never thinks to quit her father if she gets married with Mr.Knightley. On
the other hand, Emma also thinks about Mr. Knightley. If Mr. Knightley moves from Donwell Abbey, he must be sacrificing a great deal of independence of
hours and habits; that in living constantly with her father, and in no house of his own, there would be much, very much, to be borne with. Austen, p. 351
Mr. Knightley’s love toward Emma is really deep. Mr. Knightley agrees to stay in Hartfield and stay together with Mr. Woodhouse, after their marriage in
order to make Emma feels happy Austen, p. 352. In this situation, Emma realizes that Mr. Knightley is her true lover. After John and Isabella, and every
other friend, were agreed in approving Emma and Mr. Knightley’s marriage Austen, p. 377, Emma and Mr. Knightley try to tell Mr. Woodhouse about the
