Podcast
Questions and Answers
According to the narrator, what were the two evils of Emma's situation?
According to the narrator, what were the two evils of Emma's situation?
She thinks too well of herself. She has too much her own way.
What happened to Miss Taylor at the beginning of chapter 1?
What happened to Miss Taylor at the beginning of chapter 1?
She married Mr.Weston that morning and is moving a half mile away.
How long has Miss Taylor been Emma's governess?
How long has Miss Taylor been Emma's governess?
16 years
Why isn't Mr.Woodhouse an ideal companion for Emma?
Why isn't Mr.Woodhouse an ideal companion for Emma?
Why is Emma in danger of suffering from intellectual solitude?
Why is Emma in danger of suffering from intellectual solitude?
What does it mean when the narrator describes the Woodhouses as 'first in consequence' in Highbury?
What does it mean when the narrator describes the Woodhouses as 'first in consequence' in Highbury?
Who is the only person who can see faults in Emma and is willing to tell her?
Who is the only person who can see faults in Emma and is willing to tell her?
Mr.Knightley begs Emma not to make any more matches when she claims to have made the match between Miss Taylor and Mr.Weston.
Mr.Knightley begs Emma not to make any more matches when she claims to have made the match between Miss Taylor and Mr.Weston.
Who is described as a handsome, clever, rich twenty-one-year-old who is the youngest of two daughters?
Who is described as a handsome, clever, rich twenty-one-year-old who is the youngest of two daughters?
How is Miss Taylor/Mrs.Weston described?
How is Miss Taylor/Mrs.Weston described?
Describe Mr.Weston.
Describe Mr.Weston.
How is Mr.Woodhouse characterized?
How is Mr.Woodhouse characterized?
Who is Mr.Knightley?
Who is Mr.Knightley?
Who is Emma's older sister who now lives in London?
Who is Emma's older sister who now lives in London?
Who is described as a pretty young man who lives in Highbury and whom Emma intends to help find a wife?
Who is described as a pretty young man who lives in Highbury and whom Emma intends to help find a wife?
What have we learned about Mr.Weston's background?
What have we learned about Mr.Weston's background?
Mr.Weston sees his son, Mr.Frank Churchill, quite often.
Mr.Weston sees his son, Mr.Frank Churchill, quite often.
Match the character ______ to her description: A very old lady who is the widow of a former vicar.
Match the character ______ to her description: A very old lady who is the widow of a former vicar.
Match the character ______ to her description: A very popular woman despite not being young, handsome, rich, nor married; she was a great talker.
Match the character ______ to her description: A very popular woman despite not being young, handsome, rich, nor married; she was a great talker.
Match the character ______ to her description: The mistress of a highly reputed girls boarding-school.
Match the character ______ to her description: The mistress of a highly reputed girls boarding-school.
What do we learn about Harriet Smith in Chapter 3?
What do we learn about Harriet Smith in Chapter 3?
Emma decides that she will improve Miss Smith by detaching her from bad acquaintances and introducing her to good society.
Emma decides that she will improve Miss Smith by detaching her from bad acquaintances and introducing her to good society.
What is true of Emma's relationship with Harriet?
What is true of Emma's relationship with Harriet?
Emma encourages Harriet to pursue Mr.Robert Martin, a farmer.
Emma encourages Harriet to pursue Mr.Robert Martin, a farmer.
Who expresses concerns about Emma's intimacy with Harriet Smith?
Who expresses concerns about Emma's intimacy with Harriet Smith?
What is Mr.Knightley's view on Harriet Smith as a friend for Emma?
What is Mr.Knightley's view on Harriet Smith as a friend for Emma?
What does Mr.Knightley think of Emma's reading habits?
What does Mr.Knightley think of Emma's reading habits?
What does Mr.Knightley say about Emma's cleverness and its effects on her family?
What does Mr.Knightley say about Emma's cleverness and its effects on her family?
What does Mr.Knightley admit about Emma?
What does Mr.Knightley admit about Emma?
What does Mr.Knightley assert about Emma's character?
What does Mr.Knightley assert about Emma's character?
What does Mr.Knightley wish to see concerning Emma?
What does Mr.Knightley wish to see concerning Emma?
What is Mr.Woodhouse's objection to Emma's painting of Harriet?
What is Mr.Woodhouse's objection to Emma's painting of Harriet?
Who volunteers to take Emma's painting of Harriet to London to have it framed?
Who volunteers to take Emma's painting of Harriet to London to have it framed?
Match the Woodhouses to their home.
Match the Woodhouses to their home.
Match Mr.and Mrs.Weston to their home.
Match Mr.and Mrs.Weston to their home.
Match Isabella (Woodhouse) Knightley to her home.
Match Isabella (Woodhouse) Knightley to her home.
Match the Churchills to their home.
Match the Churchills to their home.
Match Mr.Knightley to his home.
Match Mr.Knightley to his home.
Match the Martins to their home.
Match the Martins to their home.
Match Harriet Smith to her home.
Match Harriet Smith to her home.
Study Notes
Key Characters and Relationships
- Emma Woodhouse: Young, clever, and wealthy. Raised by her father and a governess.
- Mr. Woodhouse: Emma's father, anxious and old-fashioned, unable to engage intellectually with Emma.
- Miss Taylor/Mrs. Weston: Former governess to Emma; married Mr. Weston, marking a significant change in Emma's life.
- Mr. Weston: A pleasant man of good character; formerly a captain in the militia, now a tradesman and local gentleman.
- Mr. Knightley: Emma’s older friend; often points out her flaws and seeks to guide her.
- Harriet Smith: A young woman of unknown parentage, close to Emma; Emma wishes to elevate her social standing.
- Mr. Elton: A young man in Highbury whom Emma intends to introduce as a suitor for Harriet.
Plot Developments
- Miss Taylor's Marriage: Emma and Mr. Woodhouse mourn the marriage of Miss Taylor to Mr. Weston, seeing it as a loss due to their close relationship.
- Intellectual Solitude: Emma faces potential intellectual isolation as her father's conversational capabilities are limited; she lacks peers.
- Social Dynamics: The Woodhouses hold a prestigious position in Highbury, but Emma's social circle is limited.
Important Themes
- Class and Society: Emphasis on family rank and connections within Highbury society affects character interactions.
- Friendship and Influence: Emma's desire to improve Harriet's social standing highlights the importance placed on social connections and matchmaking.
- Self-Reflection: Mr. Knightley serves as a moral compass, encouraging Emma to recognize her faults and grow personally.
Character Insights
- Mr. Knightley's Perspective: He critiques their friendship and worries about its implications for Harriet's character formation.
- Mr. Woodhouse's Concerns: He is overly protective, fearing for Harriet's health when Emma paints her without a shawl.
- Emma's Role: While Emma aims to uplift Harriet, she often misjudges people’s worth based on her own biases.
Settings
- Hartfield: The Woodhouse residence, central to the story's personal dynamics.
- Randalls: Home of Mr. and Mrs. Weston, representing a new social circle for Emma.
- Donwell Abbey: Mr. Knightley's estate, representing stability and tradition amidst Emma's uncertainties.
Quotes Reflecting Character Development
- About Emma's Nature: Mr. Knightley points out Emma’s cleverness but warns about her lack of humble inquiry into her own faults.
- On Professional Relationships: Mrs. Weston expresses caution about Harriet’s relationship with Emma, emphasizing the educational potential of their friendship.
Emotional Dynamics
- Emma's Intentions: Her desire to connect Harriet with Mr. Elton reflects her naivety and urge to play matchmaker, which may have unintended consequences.
- Contrast in Perspectives: Mr. Knightley challenges Emma’s views and decisions, providing a counterbalance to her often misguided confidence.
Miscellaneous Facts
- Historical Context: Miss Taylor’s background reflects social mobility challenges in 19th-century England.
- Society of Highbury: Character interactions highlight the strict social structures and the importance of reputation and status within the community.
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Description
Explore the key characters and their relationships in Jane Austen's novel 'Emma'. This quiz covers the dynamics between Emma Woodhouse, her father Mr. Woodhouse, and her close friends like Mr. Knightley and Harriet Smith. Delve into how these characters shape the storyline and Emma's development throughout the book.
