by Jane Austen, 1815
“Courtship Fiction”
Emma, spoiled little rich girl, befriends illegitimate Harriet Smith, prevents her from marrying Robert Martin, a gentleman farmer, who truly loves Harriet and instead set her up to marry Mr. Elton, a rich-boy wanna-be who would never consider marrying Harriet. Then comes Frank Churchill, a very rich boy, who is secretly engaged to Miss Jane Fairfax, unbeknownst to everyone. Emma grows up immensely and feels deep regret for everything she does in trying to manipulate Harriet’s life, because in the end, Harriet falls in love with Emma’s true love, Mr. Knightley, a true gentleman in every sense of the word. Emma has known him since she was a child, and he is her dearest friend. He is a voice of reason to Emma and he scolds her soundly twice – when she prevents Harriet from marrying Robert Martin and when she is mean to Miss Bates. When Harriet professes to love Mr. Knightley, Emma realizes she truly loves him and all is right in the end. Mr. Knightley truly loves Emma, Harriet marries Robert Martin in the end, and Frank Churchill and Miss Fairfax wed.
Written in 1814-1815, Jane Austen died in 1817 of Addison’s disease. Born 12-16-1775. Other books by Jane Austen: Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Northanger Abbey, Mansfield Park, Persuasion.