Part 2 - Match-Maker Or Trouble-Maker?

By John plummer
Thursday, April 10, 2003

Bear it - Accept or tolerate it

Called On - Came to visit

Sighed - Beath sadly or emotionally

Riddles - clever word puzzles - Mr Eltons riddle is confusing though

Court - A kings palace or to want to marry a girl

Courtship - Dating before marriage

Ready Wit - Quick intelligence

Shark - Dangerous Fish

Vicarage - In England is where a vicar/padre lives

cottage - A small house

Lane - A small road

Laces - Used to fasten shoes

Match-Maker Or trouble-Maker?

Emma thinks that Mr Elton has some feelings towards Harriet and decides to try to create a match between them both. As a result Mr Elton knowing that Emma is an artisit asks her to paint Harriets painting and although Harriet is a very shy person she agrees to do a sitting. Despite various complaints the painting is finally finished and upon seeing it Mr Elton states that it is a pefect work of art and he is going to take it to london to have it framed. This pleases Emma very much as she is now convinced that there is true love blossoming.

Soon though Emma realises that she has guessed things incorrectly after Harriet reveals that Mr Martin has written her a letter proposing marriage. Emma coldly rebuffs the letter stating that it would just be a marriage of convinience so Mr Martin could have a higher status. Remember that Harriet is an orphan so how could Mr Martin use her to gain a much higher status for himself?? By telling Harriet that if she marries a farmer that she would not be able to visit her she convinces Harriet to refuse the proposal and even offers to help write the letter of refusal and at the same time tells Harriet that Mr Elton is definately interested in her.

Mr knightley is furious when he finds out what Emma has done and calls on her to vent his anger. Emma cooly informs him that Harriet has a dinfferent destiny that does not include marriage to Mr Martin to which Mr Knightley warns Emma that to include Mr Elton in her childish games would be a big mistake and then he turns heel and leaves. Here the book tells us that Mr knightley knows more than he is revealing

After Mr Eltons return from london they hang the painting in the main room at Highfield House and admire the work and Emma asks him to write a riddle for Harriet who is collecting them. He Tells her he isnt clever enough but returns the next day with a piece of paper containing a riddle for Harriet.....

1. In my first rich kings live at ease - Court
2. My second is the monarch of the sea - A Ship
3. but untied all mans freedom is flown and woman, lovely woman reigns all alone - Courtship
4. Your ready wit the word will soon supply, May its approval smile in that soft eye - Is interpreted as catching Harriets eye

emma thinks wrongly that she knows what it means although Harriet makes no sense of it thinking it is about monsters or sharks. but the clever words convince her that Mr Elton is a gentleman Or how she imagines a gentleman should be.. tells us that Harriet is very naive

In the evening when Mr Elton calls Emma drops more hints about Harriet and marriage by telling him that she has copied the riddle into Harriets book. He adds more fuel to the fire by telling  Emma that He is honored and it is the proudest moment of his life. Now Emma is positive that there is something happening between Mr Elton and Harriet

The next day while Emma and Harriet walk in the village, Harriet asks her friend if she will ever marry and she replies that she will never marry because she has never met a superior man and that she has a perfect life living in her fathers house. They call in on a poor family and Emma talks to the sick children and gives advice and sympathy Notice that she doesnt give them money or material help as she sees them as beneath her. She visits the family just to give people the impression that she has empathy with poor people

Still walking they meet with Mr Elton and walk with him until they reach the vicarage. Emma decides that Harriet has to see inside his home and by fakery enter his house. Emma hopes that there will be a marriage proposal but is saddened when it doesnt happen.

Xmas time and Emmas sister arrives with her husband and family and they discuss the Westons. Asking if Mr Westons son has yet visited and finding out that Franks aunt is a very stuborn old lady who makes many lies and excuses to prevent Frank from visiting his father. Although he wrote to his father stating his intention to visit him he hasnt arrived

At dinner time Emma and Mr Knightley talk about her childish games with Harriet and after talking for a little while their friendship is healed for now. Later when they all visit the Randalls they discover that although Harriet was invited she hasnt arrived as she has a sore throat. Emma is shocked to find that Mr Elton isnt upset or worried about Harriet wondering why so little emotion about the woman he loves. But also Emma shows her feelings here too because she also doesnt go straight to her friend to see how she is feeling. Remember Harriet isnt really her friend becauase Emma is only trying to change her into the idea she has of how Harriet should be

Click here for the  Activities

Home