Austen 250 Reader Series: Emma (Chapters 46-55)
Welcome back, Janeites, to the Austen 250 Reader Series––our celebratory blog series for this 250th anniversary year––and to the sixth and final installment of our serialized content devoted to Austen's 1815 novel, Emma. Today, we will cover Chapters 46-55. Shall we continue?
A few days after the death of Mrs. Churchill, Mr. Weston arrives at Hartfield, bearing a pressing message from Mrs. Weston to Emma. Worrying about her friend's condition, Emma quickly arrives at Randalls, only to find that Mrs. Weston is well... just distressed. It has come to light that a secret engagement has been held between Frank Churchill and Jane Fairfax, ever since the two met at Weymouth a number of months before. This is shocking news to all––Emma is particularly remorseful for the ways in which she behaved and turns her mind to the disappointed hopes of Harriet, whom she believes is in love with Mr. Churchill.
Mr. and Mrs. Weston were originally worried on Emma's behalf as they thought she was in love with the erring Frank, however Emma assures them she is not injured in that way. That in no way excuses Frank's behavior, however, and all three kindhearted individuals agree to stay their condemnation until a lengthy letter of explanation arrives, with Emma going so far as to congratulate Mr. Westons on his son's engagement.
Mrs. Weston further delves into the story, noting that Frank and Jane have misunderstood one another terribly throughout the run of secrecy. When Jane accepted the position as a governess and Frank caught wind of it, he immediately visited his uncle to ask his blessing. With Mrs. Churchill's overbearing presence no longer all consuming, Mr. Churchill agrees. This explains Jane's quiet coldness, in spite of Emma's (halfhearted) attempts to be chummy towards her. Finally, Emma reflects, Jane will have the security she deserves.
'More than an attachment, indeed,' resumed Mrs. Weston; 'an engagement -- a positive engagement. What will you say, Emma -- what will anybody say, when it is known that Frank Churchill and Miss Fairfax are engaged; -- nay, that they have been long engaged!'
Emma even jumped with surprise; and, horror-struck, exclaimed,
'Jane Fairfax! Good God! You are not serious? You do not mean it?'
(Ch. 46)
This "happy ending" does not remain long in mind, however, as Emma suddenly realizes the situation is Mr. Elton: Take Two for poor Harriet. She ruminates morosely on yet another case of meddling matchmaking. But later that day, when Harriet visits Hartfield, she surprises her friend by not only already possessing knowledge of the engagement, but appearing to be unbothered by the news. With a gradually-sinking heart, Emma discovers that it is not Frank who was the object of Harriet's affection, but Mr. Knightley! Emma listens in stunned silence as Harriet continues, sharing that save for Miss Woodhouse's encouragement that "matches of greater disparity have taken place", she would never have suspected reciprocal interest.
What a shock to the system. In this moment, Emma silently acknowledges the fact that she, herself, is in love with Mr. Knightley––that she always has been. The infatuation she felt with Frank had been a mere distraction. Certain of former's gentlemanly manners, Emma knows he would never encourage a girl's affections if he did not truly love her (i.e. if Harriet had reason to believe Mr. Knightley admired her, he likely did), a reflection she ends up speaking aloud. After Harriet's departure, Emma reflects on her mistakes of judgement and vanity.
Her own conduct, as well as her own heart, was before her in the same few minutes. She saw it all with a clearness which had never blessed her before. How improperly had she been acting by Harriet! How inconsiderate, how indelicate, how irrational, how unfeeling had been her conduct! What blindness, what madness, had led her on! It struck her with dreadful force, and she was ready to give it every bad name in the world. (Ch. 47)
It is not until this moment––where the possibility of Mr. Knightley being lost to her becomes obvious––that Emma realizes his special importance in her life. Selfishly, Emma considers the fact that only their both remaining single would pacify this new, overwhelming fear. This celibacy goes both ways in spite of the revelation of Mr. Knightley's dearness to her, as Miss Woodhouse has resolved not to marry so as to care for her father, fulfilling her familial duty.
Soon, Mrs. Weston visits Emma, bringing with her news of Jane. The latter sends a message of gratitude to Emma for her care and is working to recover from the weighty anxiety of not only concealing her engagement, but contending with miscommunication regarding Frank's ill-thought-out "flirtation" with Emma. Alone in the evening, Miss Woodhouse reflects on the situation with Jane and Frank––as well as the potentiality of Harriet and Mr. Knightley––consoling herself that in the wake of such confusing, convoluted events, she will be able to step into the future with more presence of mind and a genuine concern for her neighbors.
[...] the only source whence any thing like consolation or composure could be drawn, was in the resolution of her own better conduct, and the hope that, however inferior in spirit and gaiety might be the following and every future winter of her life to the past, it would yet find her more rational, more acquainted with herself, and leave her less to regret when it were gone. (Ch. 48)
A few days later, Emma walks around the grounds of Hartfield, stumbling (surprisingly) into none other than Mr. Knightley, recently returned from his trip to London. The latter seems a bit serious, which disconcerts Emma, who thinks that he likely has some intelligence to share regarding his attachment to Harriet. In an attempt to avoid such unpleasantness, she brings up the topic of Miss Fairfax and Frank Churchill's clandestine engagement. This is no news to Mr. Knightley, who has, in fact, come to comfort Emma, believing her to still be in love with the roguish Frank.
[Whew. Let's pause. Still with me? What a tangled-up combination of assumptions and near-broken hearts... or in other words... bravo Jane! But back to our scheduled programming...]
Just as Mr. Knightley begins to speak to his envy of Frank, Emma interjects, specifying that all information shared will be so––and in turn heard––but as a friend. Before either of them truly comprehend the situation, however, there has been a mutual confession of love. Both of them had despaired, believing the object of their desire was attached to another, but no more! They enter a solemn engagement and walk back to Hartfield together.
Seldom, very seldom, does complete truth belong to any human disclosure; seldom can it happen that something is not a little disguised, or a little mistaken; but where, as in this case, though the conduct is mistaken, the feelings are not, it may not be very material. Mr. Knightley could not impute to Emma a more relenting heart than she possessed, or a heart more disposed to accept of his. (Ch. 49)
This happy business aside, Emma is supremely worried about what will befall the nervous Mr. Woodhouse and ill-used Harriet upon hearing the news. Miss Woodhouse then decides that she will not marry until her father dies and eventually writes Harriet a letter describing the proceedings, suggesting she stay with (Emma's sister) Isabella in London to collect her feelings sans awkward encounters and heal with dignity. On the topic of sincere letters, the Westons soon receive a letter from Frank explaining all, including the fact––for which he is quite apologetic––that his fling with Emma had merely a red herring tactic to subvert any potential attention away from Jane. Emma, blissfully in love, is sympathetic to Frank's plight, and though Mr. Knightley agrees in part, still believes Jane to be much superior to Churchill.
It is, in fact, a most mortifying retrospect for me. I behaved shamefully. And here I can admit, that my manners to Miss W., in being unpleasant to Miss F., were highly blamable. She disapproved them, which ought to have been enough. My plea of concealing the truth she did not think sufficient. She was displeased; I thought unreasonably so; I thought her, on a thousand occasions, unnecessarily scrupulous and cautious: I thought her even cold. But she was always right. (Ch. 50)
Upon hearing of Emma's plans to postpone marriage on behalf of her father, Mr. Knightley––chivalrously––suggests that instead he should move in with the Woodhouses at Hartfield. A sacrifice of extreme proportions, gentleman giving up his seat for a lady, but it is a solution to what had seemed at first an unsurmountable issue.
Mr. Woodhouse taken from Hartfield! No, he felt that it ought not to be attempted. But the plan which had arisen on the sacrifice of this, he trusted his dearest Emma would not find in any respect objectionable; it was, that he should be received at Hartfield; that so long as her father's happiness -- in other words his life -- required Hartfield to continue her home, it should be his likewise. (Ch. 51)
Emma's remorse then lies solely with the ill-used Harriet Smith. The latter agrees to go to London––a move that assures that there will be no painfully awkward meeting before either of them are ready––for which Miss Woodhouse is eternally glad. And in a moment of quiet acknowledgement of previous faults, Emma and Jane Fairfax reconcile, as well.
'Pray say no more. I feel that all the apologies should be on my side. Let us forgive each other at once. We must do whatever is to be done quickest, and I think our feelings will lose no time there [...]" (Ch. 52)
Soon, the Westons welcome their baby girl, and congratulations are passed all around as Emma and Mr. Knightley share their engagement. Mr. Woodhouse's first reaction is one of distress and anxiety, however he is not-so-difficultly persuaded (chiefly by Mrs. Weston and Mr. Knightley) into recognizing the merit of the union, as well as its joyful turning of a good friend into a son-in-law. The only unhappy pair in Highbury is that of the Eltons, who pity "poor Mr. Knightley" and are generally envious of the positive hubbub surrounding these nuptials in comparison to their own.
Mrs. Weston was acting no part, feigning no feelings in all that she said to him in favour of the event. [...] She had such a regard for Mr. Knightley, as to think he deserved even her dearest Emma; and it was in every respect so proper, suitable, and unexceptionable a connexion, and in one respect, one point of the highest importance, so peculiarly eligible, so singularly fortunate, that now it seemed as if Emma could not safely have attached herself to any other creature [...] (Ch. 52)
Frank and Jane Fairfax go to stay with latter's friends, the Campbells, planning to wed after the three month mourning period of Mrs. Churchill. But before taking, they leave stop by Randalls (the home of the Westons) to bid their Highbury circle farewell. Frank and Emma congratulate one another on their respective partners and part with warmth and good will.
Not too soon after, Emma is pleasantly shocked by the news that Harriet will marry Robert Martin. Mr. Knightley himself shares this intelligence, allowing Emma to take a deep breath––no longer is she burdened by the guilt of her friend's supposed unhappiness and no longer is the need for secrecy regarding her future Mr. Knightley. Harriet arrives back in Highbury, bearing no ill will towards Emma and blissfully happy in anticipation of her marriage to Mr. Martin. Miss Woodhouse is invited to––and happily attends––the aforementioned wedding of Mr. & Mrs. Martin early in the autumn. She comes away from the event, however, realizing how her and Harriet's social standings will never be the same and that their friendship, thus, will naturally fade; it is a bittersweet revelation.
Mr. Knightley and Emma wed in a simple ceremony––dear friends present––with everyone assured of and confident in the couple's longevity and enduring felicity. Everyone, that is, save for Mrs. Elton, who is altogether beside herself at the wedding's great lack of lace...
[insert dreamy sigh] Here we must conclude our reading foray into Jane Austen's Emma. Keep an eye out for a quick wrap-up post released next Friday, September 19. Even still, I implore you to please share your thoughts, opinions, or exclamations in the comments. As always, I greatly appreciate you reading along with me, my dearest Janeites. Farewell––
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