# By Aerial Post explained — Emily of New Moon

> Chapter companion for Emily of New Moon by L. M. Montgomery.

## What happens

Emily writes letters to her deceased father, sharing her daily life, thoughts, and observations. She describes her plans to write stories, her friendship with Ilse, school events, the Christmas gathering with the Murray relatives, and her reflections on family, secrets, and the flash of beauty she experiences.

## Themes in this chapter

### Imagination and Creativity

Emily plans to write a story and a novel, and mentally furnishes the Disappointed House with flower-themed rooms, showing her vivid imagination.

### Family and Belonging

Emily reflects on her place among the Murrays during Christmas, feeling less like a stranger and appreciating the family traditions.

### Friendship and Loyalty

Emily wears an old dress to support Ilse, whispers a forgotten recitation to Rhoda Stuart, and shares secrets with Ilse, demonstrating loyalty.

## Character check-ins

### Emily Byrd Starr

Narrates her letters to her father, sharing her dreams of writing, her actions at school, and her feelings about family and friendship.

### Ilse Burnley

Emily's close friend; they pray together, Ilse wins a recitation medal, and she is treated coldly by her father Dr. Burnley.

### Aunt Elizabeth Murray

Allows Emily to wear an old dress to support Ilse; wears black satin at Christmas; maintains Murray standards.

### Aunt Laura Murray

Takes Ilse to the recitation contest, lets Emily wear her mother's sash, and comforts Emily after Christmas.

### Cousin Jimmy Murray

Mentions the end of the world rumor, carves turkey at Christmas, and helps make taffy with the girls.

### Dr. Burnley

Ilse's father; kicks Ilse's Bible into the yard, refuses to educate her, and attends Christmas dinner but remains distant.

## Key lines

> I am going to buy four sheets of foolscap with my egg money and sew them into a book and write the story in it.

Emily plans to use her egg money to buy paper and make a book to write a story.

_Shows Emily's early ambition to become a writer._

> I put on my old brown dress, too. Aunt Elizabeth did not want to let me do it at first because New Moon Murrays should be well dressed but when I explained about Ilse she looked at Aunt Laura and then said I might.

Emily wore her old dress to keep Ilse from feeling bad about her shabby clothes, and Aunt Elizabeth reluctantly allowed it.

_Demonstrates Emily's empathy and loyalty to Ilse._

> The strange thing is, dear Father, that now I don't feel any more as if I hated her. I feel quite kindly to her and it is much nicer. It is uncomfortable to hate people.

After helping Rhoda Stuart with her recitation, Emily realizes she no longer hates her and finds kindness more pleasant.

_Reflects Emily's emotional growth and forgiveness._

> I didn't feel like a stranger among the Murrays any more.

After the Christmas gathering, Emily feels a sense of belonging with her Murray relatives.

_Highlights Emily's evolving sense of family identity._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/emily_of_new_moon_se/chapters/xx-by-aerial-post
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/emily_of_new_moon_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/emily_of_new_moon_se/chapters