Full Story of Emma

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Back to Emma Story

The book opens at the wedding of Emma Woodhouse’s governess, Miss Taylor, to Mr Weston. And it was all Emma’s fault. After the wedding, her father makes her promise that she must not make any further matches. "Oh, I promise I shall make none for myself," says Emma, "but I shall make matches for others". In the first few chapters, Emma’s sister’s brother-in-law, Mr George Knightley, also makes an appearance.

A few weeks pass by, and Emma meets Harriet Smith, an orphan. On making her acquaintance, Emma decides that she must be made over and become a better member of society. While doing this, Emma discovers that Harriet wants to marry Robert Martin, a respectable farmer. However, Emma does not see any good in this and instead thinks Harriet should marry Mr Elton, a vicar in the town of Highbury. When Emma paints a picture of Harriet, Mr Elton decides to be the one to get it framed, and Emma believes she is successful.

The next Christmas, everyone attends a Christmas Party. During the party, Mr Elton makes continued advances toward Emma, which are all rejected. However, after the party, Emma accidentally finds herself alone in a carriage with Mr Elton, who then confesses his love to her.

A few months pass, and Emma then meets Mr Frank Churchill, who has stopped over in Highbury and then goes to Hartfield (Emma’s home). Emma instantly decides to break her promise and make a match for herself. However, Mr Churchill proves to be secretly engaged to Jane Fairfax.

Emma now feels that she’ll never get a match. Harriet decides that she has found someone better than Mr Martin: Mr Knightley. However, Emma realises that she too loves mr Knightley, and later on, Mr Knightley says he loves her too.