Characters in Emma

Mr. Woodhouse, in his gentle selfishness, is the petty conservative, wanting absolutely nothing to change and constantly being apprehensive about matters of health.

John Knightley is similar but in domestic terms; he is rather nonsocial because he wants to rest with his family in his domestic comforts.

Augusta Elton is always seen as the talkative busybody who flatters herself on her supposed social importance.

Mr. Elton and his insufferable wife both flourish. Their satisfaction in themselves is not disturbed. They are the unteachables of classic comedy.

Miss Bates, the woman of 'universal good-will', is poor; she has sunk from the comforts she was born to; and if she live to old age, must probably sink more. She deserves a bit of special attention. She is like boring non-stop talker. But she takes on added dimension by the very fact that her gush of words encompasses everything around her--so much so, in fact, that the small and the important apparently have equal significance for her. She has a driving need to express herself, though her expression is never egocentric. She is, indeed, one of the most kindhearted and thankful persons imaginable; but she is also capable of being hurt and of forgiving. She undergoes no observable change in the novel, but hers is possibly the most fully rounded characterization among the minor ones.

Though one of the more important characters, Harriet Smith is mostly a counter to be moved about by Emma and the plot of the novel. She is a simple but pretty girl who, once in love, will always be in love and who evinces one very interesting though momentary development when she decides that she is after all perhaps worthy of George Knightley.

Jane Fairfax is a skillfully employed foil for Emma, but we do not get to know her in dramatic detail because she is involved in a mystery and much about her must remain unknown until it is revealed in summary.

Frank Churchill, though he too is involved in the mystery, comes through with better delineation. He has admirable abilities but is too frivolous to be truly admirable; his mainstay is social charm and wit. He is important partly because in many respects he is the male counterpart of Emma: Both get a certain enjoyment out of seeing others labor under misapprehensions, and it is significant that Emma recognizes this lively similarity near the end of the story.

Frank Churchill is the weak romantic hero, in his negligent way, causes more pain than anyone else in the book. He misleads Emma, largely to safeguard himself, and teases the helpless Jane almost to breaking-point. What is his reward? In Mr. Knightley's words, 'His aunt is in the way.-His aunt dies.-He has only to speak.-His friends are eager to promote his happiness.-He has used everybody ill-and they are all delighted to forgive him.-He is a fortunate man indeed!'

George Knightley is one of the most important figures in the book, though during much of the time he is rather in the background of events. Mr. Knightley serves as the novel's model of good sense. From his very first conversation