‘Not Harriet’s equal’ exclaimed Mr. Knightley ‘No, he is not her equal, indeed, for he is as much her superior in sense as in situation. She is the natural daughter
of nobody knows whom. Austen, pp. 60-61
Emma is quite difficult to accept other’s opinion; she always acts as if she is the one who knows about everything in Hartfield. Emma debates with Mr.
George Knightley when he suspicious that there must be a special relationship between Frank Churchill and Jane Fairfax but Emma disagrees with him. This is
also one of the proofs that Emma is a stubborn girl. ‘My dear Emma, have you never at any time had reason to think that he
admired her, or that she admired him?’ asked Mr. Knightley. ‘Never, never’ she cried with a most open eagerness. ‘There is no admiration
between them, I do assure you: they are as far from any attachment or admiration for one another as any two beings in the world can be.’ said Emma. Austen, p.
277
d. Emma is a selfish person
Emma feels jealous with Jane Fairfax. Emma wants to be like Jane Fairfax who has complete abilities as a woman. Jane is quite mysterious as a girl. Emma
wants to be the one who becomes the centre of attention of people around her. After knowing Jane, Emma feels that Jane is her rival.
Emma was sorry to have to pay civilities to a person she did not like through three long months-to be always doing more than she wished, and less than
she ought Why she did not like Jane Fairfax might be a difficult question to answer; Mr. Knightley had once told her it was because she saw in her the really
accomplished young woman which she wanted to be thought herself. p. 138
Emma does not want to see the probability if Mr. Knightley has a girlfriend. Emma wants Mr. Knightley only for herself not others. Although
Emma always quarrels with Mr. Knightley, they need each other. Emma becomes mad after knowing about Mr. Weston’s plan.
‘I have made a match between Mr. Knightley and Jane Fairfax,’ said Mrs. Weston. Emma exclaimed,’ Mr. Knightley and Jane Fairfax Mrs. Weston, how
could you think of such a thing? Mr. Knightley must not marry I cannot consent to Mr. Knightley’s marrying.’ Austen, pp. 181-182
In the situation when Emma and Mr. Knightley know that they love each
other and plan to hold an engagement, Emma wants to make Harriet goes for a while to London. Emma does not want to meet Harriet because she does not want
Harriet know about Emma relationship with Mr. Knightley. Emma knows that Harriet falls in love with Mr. Knightley and Emma does not want to destroy
Harriet’s hopes for the second time. So, it will be better if they do not see each other for a while. Austen, p.353
e. Emma gets difficulties in understanding her own heart.
Emma does not realize that she has something special toward someone whom she always debates with. He is Mr. George Knightley. What Emma wants
to do is just finding the best match for Harriet, until an unpredictable situation happens when Mrs. Weston says that she wants to make a match between Mr.
Knightley with Jane Fairfax and Emma disagrees about that. ‘I have made a match between Mr. Knightley and Jane Fairfax,’ said Mrs.
Weston. ‘Dear Mrs. Weston, how could you think of such a thing? Mr. Knightley Mr. Knightley must not marry You would not have little Henry cut out from
Donwell? Oh,no,no said Emma. Austen, p. 182
Emma does not realize that Mr. Knightley always help and protect her in every situation. Emma thought that it happens because Mr. Knightley is a brother
for her. In the situation when Emma needs somebody to be a partner for Harriet in dancing, Mr. Knightley comes for helping her.
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.
