Study Questions

1. Why did everyone who knew Miss Bates respect her?

2. How is Mrs. Goddard’s school regarded?

3. What is Harriet Smith’s background?

4. What convinces Emma that Harriet is worthy of her efforts?

5. How are the Martins connected to Mr. Knightley?

6. What are some assumptions that Emma makes about Mr. Martin?

7. What does Emma think of farmers in general?

8. How does Emma debunk Mr. Martin?

9. What does Mr. Knightley reveal about Emma’s education?

10. Why does Mr. Knightley say he is interested in Emma?

Answers

1. Though the daughter of the former vicar of Highbury was neither rich, clever, nor handsome, she was sweet-tempered and interested in everyone’s well-being. She has earned respect.

2. Her boarding school is valued because girls from modest families could go there to improve themselves a little for a reasonable price. It is not an upper crust school.

3. Her parentage is unknown to her and not a source of particular interest, though it is to Emma.

4. Harriet is obviously taken with everything about Hartfield and Emma. This shows Emma that Harriet has good sense and must be developed and encouraged.

5. They rent a farm from him that is located on the estate of Donwell Abbey. Though Emma knows Mr. Knightley thinks highly of them, that doesn’t discourage her from thinking them coarse and unpolished.

6. Emma assumes he cannot read, though Harriet gives her a detailed list of respectable books he is familiar with. She assumes he cannot afford to marry, though Harriet gives details of their farm that paint a picture of comfort and prosperity.

7. She feels she can have nothing to do with farmers because they are beneath her class. The implication is that Harriet should have nothing to do with them either.

8. Mr. Martin is productive, successful and probably more learned than she is, so Emma tries to put down his manner by contrasting it with a real gentleman like Mr. Weston, Mr. Knightley, or, more to the point, Mr. Elton.

9. Though she has drawn up excellent book lists, Emma hasn’t read anything since she was twelve. In fact, Mr. Knightley is convinced that she has been mistress over her father and her governess since she was a child.

10. He feels an anxiety and a curiosity about Emma that sparks his interest, though he doesn’t know what sort of man would spark hers, since he has never seen a man she cared for.