Emily of New Moon · Chapter
VI: New Moon explained
Emily arrives at New Moon and struggles with homesickness and the sternness of Aunt Elizabeth.
What happens
Emily arrives at New Moon and struggles with homesickness and the sternness of Aunt Elizabeth. She finds small comforts in Cousin Jimmy's kindness, the beauty of the landscape, and the mysterious charm of the old house, while beginning to navigate her new life and the expectations placed upon her.
Themes in this chapter
Loss and Grief
Emily's profound homesickness and father-sickness are central, as she mourns the loss of her father and her former home.
Family and Belonging
Emily struggles to find her place at New Moon, caught between Aunt Elizabeth's coldness and Cousin Jimmy's warmth.
Imagination and Creativity
Emily's imaginative nature is evident in her thoughts about fairies, her desire to describe the kitchen, and her inner defiance.
Characters to notice
- Emily Byrd Starr
Feeling homesick and father-sick, but trying to be heroic and adapt to New Moon.
- Aunt Elizabeth Murray
Strict and uncomfortable with the new arrangement, she enforces rules and expects gratitude from Emily.
- Aunt Laura Murray
Shows kindness to Emily, offering comfort when she seems cold or upset.
- Cousin Jimmy Murray
Gentle and whimsical, he secretly treats Emily to ice-cream and speaks of fairies in the woods.
- Saucy Sal
Mentioned as having subsided into silence during the drive.
Key passages
“I'm—homesick, I guess”
Emily admits she is homesick.
She clarifies that it's really 'father-sick,' missing her deceased father.
“God is good and the devil might be worse”
Emily quotes her father's saying to comfort herself.
Aunt Elizabeth is horrified and forbids her from saying it again.
“Why, you know, if a fairy was really-truly it wouldn't be a fairy”
Cousin Jimmy playfully explains that real fairies can't be truly real.
This delights Emily and reflects the whimsical side of New Moon.