Emily of New Moon · Chapter
Romantic but Not Comfortable explained
Emily faces Aunt Elizabeth's disapproval over reading a novel and a medical book, and endures teasing about her self-cut bang.
What happens
Emily faces Aunt Elizabeth's disapproval over reading a novel and a medical book, and endures teasing about her self-cut bang. She receives a letter from Great-Aunt Nancy requesting a photograph, leading to a trip to Shrewsbury. Meanwhile, a compliment from Teddy Kent to Ilse Burnley sparks Emily's desire for a bang, which she cuts herself. Later, Perry Miller's eccentric Aunt Tom proposes that Emily marry Perry in exchange for funding his education, causing embarrassment and a confrontation.
Themes in this chapter
Individuality vs. Conformity
Emily defies Aunt Elizabeth by cutting her own bang and reading forbidden books, asserting her personal desires against family rules.
Secrecy and Truth
Emily confesses to reading a novel and a medical book, revealing hidden actions; the letter from Great-Aunt Nancy contains secrets about family history.
Family and Belonging
Emily's interactions with the Murray family highlight tensions over her place and behavior; Aunt Tom's proposal ties marriage to family status.
Characters to notice
- Emily Byrd Starr
Confesses to reading a novel and a medical book; cuts her own bang out of jealousy; is horrified by Aunt Tom's marriage proposal.
- Aunt Elizabeth Murray
Forbids Emily from reading novels and medical books; disapproves of the bang; arranges for Emily's photograph to be taken.
- Aunt Laura Murray
Receives the letter from Great-Aunt Nancy; helps dress Emily for the photograph.
- Teddy Kent
Compliments Ilse's beauty while skating, sparking Emily's jealousy.
- Ilse Burnley
Skates with Teddy and Emily; is praised for her looks.
- Perry Miller
Defends Emily from his Aunt Tom's proposal; declares he will ask Emily to marry him when they grow up.
- Aunt Tom
Proposes that Emily marry Perry in exchange for funding his education; is chased away by Perry.
- Dr. Burnley
Intervenes to allow Emily to slide; locks his bookcase after Emily's confession.
Key passages
“It was very dull... And it made me feel unhappy. Everybody seemed to be in love with the wrong person. I have made up my mind, Aunt Elizabeth, that I will never fall in love. It makes too much trouble.”
Emily explains that the novel was boring and depressing, and she decides to avoid love because it causes complications.
Emily's naive reaction to 'Henry Esmond' reflects her childhood innocence.
“If I had a bang Teddy might think me handsome too... And I did look nice in Teddy's picture because he drew some curls over it.”
Emily believes that having a bang would make Teddy find her as attractive as Ilse, recalling how Teddy's drawing improved her appearance.
Emily's jealousy motivates her to cut her bang.
“If I give the b'y an eddication will ye marry him when ye grow up?”
Aunt Tom offers to pay for Perry's education if Emily agrees to marry him in the future.
Aunt Tom's blunt proposal shocks Emily and Perry.
