Book
Emma
First published 1815
Emma Woodhouse lives at Hartfield with her widowed father and believes that her judgement of other people is unusually reliable. After taking credit for her former governess’s marriage, she befriends Harriet Smith, persuades her to reject the farmer Robert Martin and attempts to arrange a more socially ambitious match with Mr Elton.
Emma repeatedly mistakes attraction, secrecy and politeness for evidence that supports her plans. Her interest in Frank Churchill, hostility towards Jane Fairfax and public insult of Miss Bates expose the vanity behind her interference. When Harriet reveals an attachment to Mr Knightley, Emma must recognise both the harm she has caused and the feelings she has concealed from herself.
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