Part 3 - The Great Mistake

By John plummer
Sunday, April 13, 2003

Below Them - Socially inferior

Astonished - Very suprised

Penniless - Poor with no money

Shy - Timid

Puppy - Young dog

Envy - To be jealous

 

The Great mistake

Christmas eve... They made their way by carriage to the Randalls house and found  Mr Weston talking about Frank churchill which excited Emma very much. Frank had said that he would visit Highburry in January. Emma knew that he was a suitable person in age and character and also social status and that their families were also connected. She thought that Frank churchill belonged to her. Notice how people married for status and also to increase their wealth at this period of history? and this still happens even today

Mrs Weston was saying that she thought Frank wouldnt come because his aunt would find a way to prevent him because she thought the Westons were below the Churchills in social status. even though emma tried to convince them all otherwise they knew that there was a good chance that he wouldnt visit

While this conversation was going on Mr Elton spoke to Emma telling her that she must not go anywhere near to Harriet until she was completely well again and to protect her health. This angered Emma greatly as she couldnt believe how disinterested he was in the health of the woman he loved. Emma is so wrapped up in her fantasy that she cannot possibly see the real truth of the situation

John Knightley enters telling everyone that there is a snowstorm outside and if the roads are blocked they wont be able to leave that nite. People start to panic but Mr knightley keeps calm and goes to examine the roads and states they are passable with the sky now clearing. Mr Woodhouse is so worried though that they all decide to leave and go out to the carriages. By accident Mr Elton ends up in Emmas carriage so they are alone, with Mr Elton also a little tipsy.

As the carriage travels on its journey Mr Elton declares his undying love and devotion for Emma and proposes. At this she explodes and chastises him for betraying Harriet to which he replies that she is nothing to him but a penniless orphan and that he is only interested in her and nothing else. Is Emma angry at him for the way he treats Harriet? not really because Harriet is just a plaything to Emma and she is only angry because she thinks of herself as perfect and that Mr Elton is below her social status Mr Elton tries again to get Emma to say she loves him but shes blows him off and the only other words they both speak are Goodnite when they arrive at the vicarage. Only on the way home does Emma realise that she has treated Harriet very badly but this doesnt last long

Isabella and her family return to London and Mr Elton goes to Bath to visit friends which leaves Harriet heartbroken but Emma feels very little remorse for what she has done to Harriet.. Frank Churchill writes to say he isnt going to visit his parents which makes Mr Knightley furious calling Frank a Spoiled puppy!!

Emma hears that Jane Fairfax is coming to visit and starts thinking about how she can use or manipulate her into her fantasy games. They have not seen one another for two years but Emma knew that Jane was alot more talented than she was but also a very cold person. A competitor!!

When Jane arrives emma goes straight to visit her and finds that she is more beautiful now and elegant too. But she also looked ill which Emma took was from missing Mr Dixon. they visited highfield and the two girls played piano together and it was obvious that Jane was the most talented and after a little while Emma decides that she doesnt like Jane much and will keep Harriet as her first friend.. Here Emma reveals how little she cares for Harriet because if she has liked Jane more she would have left Harriet with no friend by switching her with the other girl. It shows how cold and unpleasant Emma really is

Later Mrs Bates and Jane come to visit and reveal that they have heard from Mr Elton and he is getting married in Bath to a woman from a rich family, declaring it to be a good match. Here Emma feels a little sorry for Harriet but Harriet herself is busy talking again with Mr Martin so she isnt really all that bothered anymore. Emma still feels that she can help Harriet by finding her a better husband Emma cannot realise that her ideas simply will not work and that she is only going to hurt Harriet more and more

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