The quotation shows that Frank Churchill and Emma are not aware of their flirtation because they do not want a romance between them. This is not clear
for the rest of the group, they think there is a romance going on between Frank and Emma and this flirtation is an example of it. When they are bored again,
Frank pretends that Emma ordered him something. I am ordered by Miss Woodhouse to say, that she waives her right of
knowing exactly what you may all be thinking of, and only requires something very entertaining from each of you, in a general way. Here are
seven of you, besides myself, who, she is pleased to say, am very entertaining already, and she only demands from each of you either one
thing very clever, be it prose or verse, original or repeated – or two things moderately clever – or three things very dull indeed, and she engages to
laugh heartily at them all Austen, 1988: 293.
This plan is in itself doubtful, but when Miss Bates says that it is not hard for her to say three things very dull indeed, Emma adds that she has to limit
herself to only three things. The author describes Miss Bates feeling. Miss Bates, deceived by the mock ceremony of her manner, did not
immediately catch her meaning; but when it burst on her, it could not anger, though a slight blush showed that it could pain her Austen, 1988: 294.
It can be seen that this mockery is instantly recognized by Miss Bates and she is hurt by it. She does not know why Emma makes such a comment towards
her and says “I must make myself very disagreeable, or she would not have said such a thing to an old friend” Austen, 1988: 294.
That shows how hurt Miss Bates is. But, she also seeks the fault in herself. She thinks she made herself very disagreeable that is for her the only reason
why Emma could make such a harsh comment on her. Since that, people’s dissapoinment to Emma becomes very clear.
As the author continue describes They walked off, followed in a half minute by Mr. Knightley. Mr. Weston,
his son, Emma, and Harriet, only remained; and the young man’s spirits now rose to a pitch almost unpleasant. Even Emma grew tired at last of flattery
and merriment, and wished herself rather walking quietly about with any of the others, or sitting almost alone, and quite unattended to. And the
solicitude of Mrs. Elton to have her carriage first, were gladly endured, in the prospect of the quite drive home which was to close the very
questionable enjoyments of this day of pleasure. Such another scheme, composed of so many ill-assorted people, she hoped never to be betrayed
into again Austen, 1988: 296.
This points out how the people disapprove of what Emma has done. They are very disappointed of Emma’s behaviour toward Miss Bates. When they go
back, Mr. Knightley criticizes Emma’s action for treating Miss Bates so rudely. He also points out to that it was very wrong to Emma to act in such a mean way
to Miss Bates. It is even more wrong because of Miss Bates position. Her situation should secure your compassion. It was badly done, indeed
You, who she had known from an infant, whom she had seen grow up from a period when her notice was an honour – to have you know, in thoughtless
spirits and the pride of the moment, laugh at her, humble her – and before her niece, too – and before others, many of whom certainly some would be
entire guided by your treatment of her Austen, 1988: 297.
Mr. Knigtley tells Emma that if the Bates where rich and wealthy, it would not have been so bad. But since they are poor, Emma should have compassion
for them instead of mocking them. Finally, Emma begins to realize that she has made a great mistake. She feels how she became so rude towards Miss Bates. As
one of the highest people of Highbury society, she should treat those lower class people with kindness.
Never had felt so agitated, so mortified, grieved, at any circumstance in her life. She was most forcibly struck. The truth of his representation there was
no denying. She felt it at her heart. How could she has been so brutal, so cruel to Miss Bates How could she has exposed herself to such ill opinion
in any one she valued And how suffer him to leave her without saying one word of gratitude, of concurrence, of common kindness Time did not
compose her. As she reflected more, she seemed but to feel it more. She never had been so depressed. Happily it was necessary to speak. There was
only Harriet, who seemed not in spirits herself, fagged, and very willing to be silent; and Emma felt the tears running down her cheeks almost all the
way home, without being at any trouble to check them, extraordinary as they were Austen, 1988: 298.
The quotation shows that Emma regrets her improper behavior toward Miss Bates and wants to make it up again. Therefore, she decides to visit the Bates
the next morning. Emma’s action indicates that she has changed from rude person become the person who is modest to the lower class people.
2. Changing Emma into a Mature Woman
From the beginning of the novel, the author gives explanation that Emma is spoiled and loves to matchmaking in her neighborhood. When Emma is being
introduced to Harriet Smith, she is pleased with her manners and decides to continue the acquaintance. She loses no time in inviting and encouraging her.
She decides to notice her, improve her, introduce her into good society and form her opinions and manners. It seems like well efforts, but this drives her to
become a meddlesome. Mr. Knightley told Mrs. Weston, who is Emma’s governess, about Emma’s and Harriet’s friendship. In their discussion, he
disagrees Emma’s friendship with Harriet. ‘I do not know what your opinion maybe Mrs. Weston’ said Mr. Knightley,
‘of this great intimacy between Emma and Harriet Smith, but I think it is a bad thing’ Austen, 1988: 29.
Emma always decides what Harriet should do, therefore Harriet depends on Emma for all of her decisions and opinions. When Harriet asks Emma about
Robert Martin’s proposal, Emma advises her to reject the proposal. According to Emma, Robert Martin is not equal to Harriet. She says that the Martins are
coarse and inappropriate for Harriet. “But they must be coarse and unpolished and very unfit to be the intimates of a girl who wanted only a little more
knowledge and elegance to be quite perfect” Austen, 1988: 20. Then, she tells Mr. Knightley about the idea between Harriet and Mr. Elton, the vicar of
Highbury. He dismisses the idea of Harriet and Mr. Elton. He says Depend upon it, Elton will not do. Elton is a very good sort of a man and a
very respectable vicar of Highbury, but not at all likely to make an imprudent match. He knows the value of a good income as well as anybody.
Elton may talk sentimentally, but he will act rationally Austen, 1988: 54.
According to Mr. Knightley, Mr. Elton will marry someone who will ensure his place in society, he want a woman who will bring him respect and financial
security. Then he thinks that Robert Martin is a suitable husband for Harriet. Most prudent men would be afraid of the inconvenience and disgrace they
might be involved in when the mystery of her parentage came to be revealed. Let her marry Robert Martin, and she is safe, respectable, and
happy forever; but if you encourage her to expect to marry greatly, and teach her to be satisfied with nothing less than a man consequence and large
fortune, she may be a parlour-boarder at Mrs. Goddard’s all the rest of her life Austen, 1988: 53.
But, Emma still continues her plan to match Harriet with Mr. Elton. She begins to think about ways to throw Robert Martin away from Harriet’s head.
By giving riddle that seems to be a love poem to Harriet, she ensures Harriet that Mr. Elton has a special intention to her.
Emma thinks that Mr. Elton is interested in Harriet. She does not know that actually Mr. Elton’s love poem is directed to Emma herself. Finally, Emma
realizes that Mr. Elton has no interest in Harriet. When she and Mr. Elton are in the same carriage, he professes his love to her and insults Harriet because of her
low class. Emma realizes that it is her fault because she tried to meddle between
Harriet’s and Mr. Elton’s love affair. She feels ashamed of what she has done and resolves to herself not to do the same thing again.
The first error, and the worst, lay at her door. It was foolish, it was wrong, to take so active a part in bringing any two people together. It was adventuring
too far, assuming to much, making a light of what ought to be serious – a trick of what ought to be simple. She was quite corcerned and ashamed, and
resolved to do such thing no more Austen, 1988: 110.
In regard to Harriet Smith, Emma gives a chance to Harriet to contact the Martins. Emma wants to avoid Harriet of thinking and speaking about Mr.
Elton. She also gives a chance for Harriet to think of someone else excepts Mr. Elton. Even she suggests Harriet to visit the Martins, it is only a formal visit.
After much thinking, she could determine on nothing better than Harriet’s returning the visit; but in a way that if they had understanding, should
convince them that it was to be only a formal acquaintance Austen, 1988: 148.
This shows that Emma’s maturity starts appear. She accepts the reality that she is wrong. She also realizes that her father, her brother, and Mr. Knightley
are correct in their opinion about the situation.
3. Changing Emma’s Perspective of Marriage
In Highbury society, social status becomes the main consideration for marriage. It is shown in the way each character tries to marry with other
character, in order to reach a higher status. For example, Mr. Elton prefers to marry Emma than Harriet Smith because
it is very clear that Emma has both status and financial security to ensure his position in society. But, Emma rejects Mr. Elton’s proposal because he does not
come from a respectable family. Emma says But he must know that in fortune and consequence she was greatly his
superior. He must know that the Woodhouses had been settled for several generations at Hartfield, the younger branch of a very ancient family , and
that the Eltons were nobody Austen, 1988: 110.
She also tells Harriet that she never wishes to be married because she has not yet found someone superior to herself. “My being charming, Harriet, is not quite
enough to induce me to marry; I must find other people charming – one other person at least. And I am not only, not going to be married, at present, but have
very little intention of ever marrying at all” Austen: 1988: 69. But, Emma’s perspective of never marrying is a little bit changed since she
met Frank Churchill. Emma meets Frank for the first time when she is visiting the Westons. She immediately likes him because he is quite charming and well-
spoken person. She thinks that if she were to marry, Frank Churchill would be a suitable husband for her because he might suit her in age, character and
condition, and also status.
Now, it so happened that in spite of Emma’s resolution of never marrying, there was something in the name, in the idea of Mr. Frank Churchill, which
always interested her. She had frequently thought – especially since his father’s marriage with Miss Taylor – that if she were to marry, he was the
very person to suit in her age, character and condition. He seemed by this connexion between the families, quite to belong to her Austen, 1988: 95.
Emma is pleased by the beginning of her acquaintance with Frank Churchill. Emma thinks that he is a wonderful person. It seems that she likes Frank
Churchill at the first sight. As the author describes. The Frank Churchill so long talked of, so high in interest, was actually
before her. He was presented to her and she did not think too much had been said in his praise. He was a very good looking young-man; height, air,
address – all were unexceptionable; and his countenance had a great deal of spirit and liveliness of his father’s – he looked quick and sensible. She felt
immediately that she should like him; and there was a well-bred ease of manner, and a readiness to talk, which convinced her that he came intending
to be acquainted with her, and that acquainted they soon must be Austen, 1988: 152.
The acquaintance between Emma and Frank Churchill becomes intimate. On the other hand, Mr. Knightley has a little doubt about Frank. He suspects Frank
Churchill in postponing his visit to Highbury. He tells Emma that Frank Churchill is more interested in leisure activities, whereas as the son, it is his
duty to pay attention to his father. But, Emma defends Frank Churchill at nearly every opportunity. She automatically assumes that Frank has a good intentions
and perfectly honorable. Emma’s feeling toward Frank Churchill becomes clear. She thinks that
Frank may be in love with her. It is shown when he speaks of his warm regard for Hartfield with his true emotion.
