Emma Summary

Jane Austen's Emma was first published in 1815, detailing the trials and tribulations of an upper class young woman in Georgian England during the Regency. The writers at Paper Masters will write a character sketch of Emma, a plot summary or summarize any aspect of the novel you need. Some excellent ideas for a summary on Austen's Emma include the following:

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As the novel opens, Emma Woodhouse is returning from the wedding of her friend Miss Taylor. Since Emma is the one who introduced the happy couple, she decides to dedicate herself to matchmaking. Against the advice of her neighbor, Mr. Knightly, Emma plunges into the matchmaking business, attempting to fix up her new friend Harriet with the vicar, Mr. Elton.

First, Emma persuades Harriet to break it off with Robert Martin, who has proposed. Next, Mr. Elton thinks that Emma is the one interested in her, and proposes to her. When she refuses, he departs for Bath, returning with a new wife and crushing the hopes of Harriet. Emma then decides that Jane and Mr. Dixon make a perfect match, confiding her suspicions to Frank, with whom Emma is falling in love. At the ball, everyone appears to be in love with everyone else, and Emma winds up insulting Miss Bates.

When Emma goes and apologizes to Miss Bates, Mr. Knightly is impressed by her display of character. Frank's aunt dies, leaving him free to marry Jane, who has told Emma where to get off. Emma thinks that all of this news will destroy Harriet, who confesses that, in fact, she is in love with Mr. Knightly. This makes Emma realize that she wants to marry Mr. Knightly. Mr. Knightly proposes to Emma, Robert Martin proposes a second time to Harriet, and everyone lives happily ever after.