Emma Written by Jane Austin

EMMA

EMMA written by Jane Austin is the charmingly ironic tale of Emma Woodhouse, a charming yet vibrant young woman who's intentions are good although somewhat misguided. She believes that she has a knack for matchmaking couples, but she herself has a thing or two to learn about love before she discovers that she cannot go about sticking her nose in other people's affairs.

Jane Austin's Emma is a complex story with so many things happening that you could not possibly condensed them down into a report, without rewriting the book. Emma takes place in nineteenth century Highbury England, a quaint country village made up by small cast of characters. The story introduces us Emma Woodhouse, a woman of influence who has everything a girl could want, including a loving family. Our story begins after a wedding, the wedding of Emma's good friend and Governess Miss Taylor, she has married the Woodhouse's neighbor a widower named Mr. Weston, Emma and her father was saddened by the loss of their friend, but Emma is trying to be strong for the sake of her father, who like many dislikes change.

He acted now like he did when his other daughter Isabella got married to John Knightly. His brother George has always been dear friends of the Woodhouse family, popping in any hour to visit them without a moments notice, as though he were one of the family. On this visit, Knightly

Just having returned from London pops in to tell the Woodhouse's the news of John and Isabella. Emma also takes this opportunity to tell Knightly about the wedding of Miss Taylor and Mr. Weston and how she takes credit for the match of the pair. Knightly disagrees with Emma over her meddling. It pleases Emma to say that, "...I thought when he was joining their hand today; he looked so very much as if he would like to have the same kind of office done for him!! I think very well of Mr. Elton, and this is the only way of doing him a service." as she said in reference to her wish to match make Mr. Elton the town vicar.

The Woodhouse's give a small dinner party, they invited Mr. Elton and all the usual faces, the Winston's, Mr. Knightly, Mrs. And Miss Bates and Mrs. Goddard, who brought a new girl for Emma to meet, her name was Harriet Smith, as the evening progresses she and Emma became fast friends. " ... Emma lost no time in inviting, encouraging, and telling her to come very often..."

One day when Emma and Harriet were out walking they came across Mr. Martin, who Harriet who was acquainted with the family and had known Mr. Martin's little sister Emily, from school. Emma disapproves of the relationship between the two, she believes that she will match Harriet with someone of her equal, Mr. Elton the town Vicar. While Harriet is trying to catch the eye of Mr. Elton, Mr. Martin proposes to her, and Emma urges Harriet to turn down Mr. Martin. In turn Emma takes immediate action to try to make Harriet and Mr. Elton cross paths as much as possible so he will

notice her, unfortunately for Emma her plan backfires and Mr. Elton becomes hopelessly infatuated with her NOT Harriet. After a Christmas

Party at the Weston's Mr. Elton declares his love for Emma feeling exasperated, she immediately turned him down explaining her intentions of matchmaking. Soon after Christmas Mr. Elton retreats to Bath to find a wife.

While trying to turn her attentions away from Mr. Elton, Emma and Harriet visit with Mrs. And Miss Bates who tells them of the impending arrival of Miss Bates' niece Jane Fairfax, who Emma has never really liked, Jane is coming to visit with them before she takes a position as a governess.

Harriet stays in touch with the Martins, they invite her to visit, so when Harriet goes to call upon them Emma instructs her to limit her visit to just fifteen minutes, so she would not form an attachment to them. Even though it makes Emma feel bad, her spirits are soon lifted when she hears from the Weston's that Mr. Weston's son from a previous marriage, Frank Churchill was coming to Highbury for a visit, Mr. Weston hopes that Emma and Frank will hit it off, and that a match will be made.

Upon Frank's arrival, Emma finds him to be easy on the eyes but after the novelty of his arrival wears off she finds that she herself is not romantically interested in him, although a common link is found because Frank knew Jane Fairfax from a previous acquaintance. During Franks visit he attended several social functions, and he flirted outrageously with Emma, until he is called away suddenly due to his Aunts illness, she determines that she does not Love Frank that perhaps he would be better suited for Harriet. Word then circulates that Mr. Elton is coming back to Highbury, and he brings with him his new wife. Emma soon meets Mrs. Elton " ... was a vain woman, extremely well satisfied with herself, and thinking much of her own importance; that she meant to shine and be very

superior, but with manners which had been formed in a bad school, pert and familiar; and that all her notions were drawn from one set of people, and one style of living; that if not foolish she was ignorant, and the her society would certainly do Mr. Elton no good. " but she still, must be polite to her, so she throws her a dinner party, to welcome her into the community. During the dinner party Mr. Weston receives word that Frank will be living near by, so he will be able to visit Highbury more often.

The Weston's decided to host a Ball, on the evening of the ball, all was well and everyone was having a good time except for Harriet, who was standing there watching waiting to be asked to dance and Mr. Elton an available dance partner snubs her leaving her embarrassed and left in disgrace, when Knightly see this injustice he makes his way to Harriet and rescues her by sweeping her onto the dance floor. When Emma thanks Knightly, he asks her

...