1. Mr. Woodhouse
Mr. Woodhouse is Emma’s father. He is an old man who is spoiled with his youngest daughter Emma and also a nervous man. He hates changing,
therefore greets marriage as a misery. He also obsesses too much to his health. He often shares his fears with people around him. He does not like a big parties,
or late nights. As the author describe He was a nervous man, easily depressed; fond of everybody that he was
used to, and hating change of every change. Matrimony, as the origin of change, was always disagreeable Austen, 1988: 6.
2. Mr. Knightley
Mr. Knightley is an old friend of the Woodhouse family. He is a sensible man about seven or eight-and-thirty. He is not only a very old and intimate
friend of the Woodhouse, but particularly connected as the elder brother of Isabella’s husband. His house is about a mile from Highbury and he is frequent
visitor to Hartfield. Austen, 1988: 7. Mr. Knightley is one of the few people who can see faults in Emma and the
only one who ever told her of them. Although sometimes Emma does not appreciate his advice, but Mr. Knightley always be there. When Emma tries to
improve Harriet Smith, Mr. Knightley reminds her that Harriet is not suitable friend for her because of the difference intelligence. It is because Emma has a
superior position and she also has a better education than Harriet. It makes Emma wants to dictate Harriet. Mr. Knightley tells Mrs. Weston
She is not the superior young woman which Emma’s friend ought to be. But on the other hand, as Emma wants to see her better informed, it will be an
inducement to her to read more herself Austen, 1988: 29.
Another example that Mr. Knightley tries to improves Emma is when Emma insults Miss Bates at Box Hill. Emma says a rude word toward Miss Bates.
Because of this, Mr. Knightley reminds her that it is not right. I cannot see you unfeeling to Miss Bates? How could you be so insolent in
your wit to a woman of her character, age and situation? -Emma , I had not thought it possible Austen, 1988: 297.
It shows that Mr. Knightley is a kind person because he wants to improve Emma. His kindness also revealed when he saves Harriet at the dance. He
dances to Harriet because Mr. Elton refuses her. Therefore, to cure her heart and to save her from feeling ashamed he asks Harriet to dance with him.
Mr. Knightley leading Harriet to the set –Never had she been more surprised, seldom more delighted, than at that instant Austen, 1988: 260.
Mr. Knightley is also a rational man. It can be seen when he gives opinion about Mr. Martin. He thinks that Mr. Martin is a good match for Harriet because
he is close to her rank. According to Mr. Knightley, Mr. Martin’s rank is higher than Harriet. On the contrary, Emma thinks that Mr. Martin has a lower rank
than Harriet. As the result, they debate each other. ‘Not Harriet’s equal’ exclaimed Mr. Knightley loudly and warmly; and
with calmer asperity, added, a few moments afterwards,’ No, he is not her equal indeed, for he is as much her superior in sense as in situation. Emma,
your infatuation about that girl blinds you. What are Harriet Smith’s claims, either of birth, nature or education, to any connection higher than Robert
Martin? She is natural daughter of anybody knows whom, with probably no settled provision at all, and certainly no respectable relations Austen, 1988:
50.
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