# Romantic but Not Comfortable explained — Emily of New Moon

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

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/emily_of_new_moon_se/chapters/xxi-romantic-but-not-comfortable
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/emily_of_new_moon_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/emily_of_new_moon_se/chapters