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Emma (novel)

arts Maturity 11-13 Next article →

The novel *Emma* is a famous comedy of manners.

Emma title page 1909
Emma title page 1909

This type of story looks at how people behave in society. It follows a young woman named Emma Woodhouse. Emma is handsome, clever, and rich. She lives in a comfortable home called Hartfield. She has a happy personality and very few worries. However, Emma can also be spoiled and headstrong. She often thinks she knows best, even when she is wrong. This makes her a very interesting character to read about.

Much of the story focuses on Emma's hobby of matchmaking. Matchmaking is when a person tries to help others fall in love. Emma believes she is an expert at this task. She tries to help her friend, Harriet Smith, find a husband. Emma even convinces Harriet to say no to a kind farmer named Robert Martin. These choices often lead to big mistakes and hurt feelings. Emma's imagination sometimes leads her away from the truth. She must learn to see people as they really are.

Jane Austen wrote this book in England.

Emma&P&P2
Emma&P&P2

She wrote it after she moved to a place called Chawton. The novel was first published in December 1815. The title page says 1816, but it came out the year before. *Emma* was the last novel Austen published while she was still alive. Her other famous book, *Persuasion*, was published after she died. Austen used her writing to show the lives of women in the Georgian and Regency eras.

Many different people live in the village of Highbury. Emma lives near the estates of Hartfield, Randalls, and Donwell Abbey. Her neighbor is Mr. Knightley, who is 37 years old. He is a hardworking man and a local leader. He is often the only person who tells Emma the truth. Another character is Jane Fairfax, who is the same age as Emma. Jane is very talented at playing the piano and singing. There is also Frank Churchill, who is 23 years old. He is the son of Mr. Weston.

By the end of the story, Emma learns many important lessons. She learns to be more careful with her words and her actions. After she makes fun of Miss Bates, she feels very ashamed. She visits Miss Bates to make things right. Emma also realizes that she is in love with Mr. Knightley. They get married before the end of November.

Houghton Typ 805.98.1770 - Emma, p 444
Houghton Typ 805.98.1770 - Emma, p 444

This story has been told many times through films, plays, and television shows.

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File:Houghton Typ 805.98.1770 - Emma, p 444.jpg
Houghton Typ 805.98.1770 - Emma, p 444.jpg
File:Emma title page 1909.jpg
Emma title page 1909.jpg
Emma&P&P2.tif
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