Emma

Emma Woodhouse, a woman who ‘thinks’ she does not want to be married, is keen to find the best match for everyone around her. Her most recent matchmaking triumph, the marriage of her governess Miss Taylor (now Mrs Weston), reinforces this self-perceived success. Born and raised in Highbury, Emma has one married sister named Isabella, who resides in London with her husband Mr John Knightley. She lives with her doting, hypochondriac father Mr Woodhouse, who she seeks never to part with.

Emma decides to continue her matchmaking escapades with her newest friend, Harriet Smith. Emma initially looks down upon Harriet, yet is simultan- eously intrigued by her personality (hello superiority complex). Nevertheless, Emma searches for the most suitable husband for Harriet as if it were for herself (remember this foreshadowing), irrespective of Harriet’s lower social status. The vicar Mr Philip Elton is number one on Emma’s marriage list of eligible bachelors and she starts putting things in play for the two to meet. However, Harriet is approached by another suitor, a farmer named Mr Robert Martin, who is rejected by Harriet at the behest of Emma despite Harriet genuinely developing feelings for him. Drama!

Accordingly, the inexperienced Harriet develops an attachment to Mr Elton who is actually obsessed with Emma (she will come to realise this a bit too late). Simultaneously, Mr George Knightley, frequenter of Highbury and brother to Mr John Knightley (Emma’s brother-in-law), is always on the lookout for an opening to scold and patronise Emma. Most of the time he is right, but he is also without a doubt romantically interested in Emma. To add more fuel to the fire, he is pro-Martin (the farmer) and anti-Elton. Emma rejects Mr Elton after his embarrassing declaration of love. Once again, Mr Knightley’s suspicions of Mr Elton are fulfilled when he leaves for Bath and comes back to show off his rash engagement to Miss Augusta Hawkins. Meanwhile, Emma has to pick up the pieces of a broken-hearted Harriet and take responsibility for this failure.

Despite her refusal to participate in getting married, Emma is intrigued by the prospect of marrying Mr Weston’s son, Frank Churchill, who is coming to visit. Raised in London by his aunt and uncle, Frank took on their last name and is the heir to their riches. However, his aunt’s sickness delays his much anticipated arrival in Highbury. Safe to say, Mr Knightley is not a fan of Frank, calling him “silly.” Emma is purposely oblivious to Frank’s self-absorbed mannerisms and enjoys their flirtation while also fantasising about rejecting him (weird fantasy, but okay).

Jane Fairfax, relative of Miss Bates and resident gossip of Highbury enters the equation much to Emma’s discontent, sparking an undercurrent of jealousy in Emma. She has a prized reputation amongst them all, but Emma is annoyed by her accomplishments, reserved nature, and shy demeanour (basically Emma’s total opposite). However, Emma hears gossip about Jane which arouses her suspicion that there is something mysterious about Jane’s past (hint hint, Frank?).

When Emma criticises Jane (no surprises there), Mr Knightley immediately defends her. He points out that Jane has had to work hard as a governess, which is in stark contrast to Emma’s comfortable lifestyle. However, Mrs Weston places seeds of doubt in Emma’s mind that Mr Knightley likes Jane which is why he came to her defence so swiftly.
Meanwhile, Frank and Emma’s liaisons have not gone unnoticed but she begins to lose interest in him. She swiftly plans to match him with Harriet after he acts as a knight-in-shining-armour and saves her from being attacked. The attention remains on Harriet as Mr Knightley dances with her after Mr Elton deliberately ignores her at the ball, despite Harriet being the only young woman without a partner (the scandal!).

Harriet later confides in Emma that she is in love with a man beyond her reach but does not specify who. This leads Emma to believe it’s Frank based on her interpretation (or shall we say, her wide imagination). Mr Knightley starts to (correctly) suspect that there is an unspoken bond between Frank and Jane. Emma dismisses this, continuously laughs with Frank, and hurts Miss Bates’ feelings at a group picnic. Fed up with Emma’s antics, Mr Knightley reprimands her (for her inconsiderate actions and words) and Emma cries after being confronted with her behaviour (kind of for the first time, too!).

Frank’s controlling aunt passes away, which becomes the catalyst for the announcement of Frank and Jane’s secret engagement. It is revealed that he flirted with Emma to distract from the truth of his feelings for Jane and didn’t consider Emma’s feelings in the process. Frank’s uncle approves of his match with Jane, with the marriage to proceed after the mourning period.

Emma worries for Harriet’s wellbeing only to be shocked that Harriet actually has feelings for Mr Knightley and not Frank. That is when Emma realises she is in love with Mr Knightley (cue the fountain scene from Clueless). Emma mistakenly believes that Mr Knightley will confess his love for Harriet. Instead, she is shocked to hear that he actually loves her, and has from the beginning (which we readers could spot from kilometres away). Meanwhile, Harriet and Mr Martin grow closer and become engaged after a second marriage proposal. Marriages for all! The Eltons are sulking! The people rejoice! The end!