Emily of New Moon · Chapter
A Different Kind of Happiness explained
Emily writes to her father from Wyther Grange, describing her fortnight with Great-Aunt Nancy and Caroline.
What happens
Emily writes to her father from Wyther Grange, describing her fortnight with Great-Aunt Nancy and Caroline. She enjoys the freedom but breaks a precious Jakobite glass, hides the pieces, and eventually confesses to Aunt Nancy, who forgives her and gives her the gazing-ball.
Themes in this chapter
Family and Belonging
Emily navigates her place within the Priest and Murray families, defending Aunt Elizabeth while enjoying Aunt Nancy's eccentric hospitality.
Secrecy and Truth
Emily hides the broken glass but ultimately confesses, choosing honesty over deceit to maintain her self-respect.
Imagination and Creativity
Emily composes poetry, writes in her Jimmy-book, and finds inspiration in the natural beauty of the bay shore.
Characters to notice
- Emily Byrd Starr
Narrates her stay at Wyther Grange, her adventures, and her moral struggle after breaking the Jakobite glass.
- Great-Aunt Nancy Priest
Hosts Emily at Wyther Grange, is sarcastic but kind, and forgives Emily for breaking the heirloom glass.
- Caroline Priest
Aunt Nancy's companion, helps in the kitchen, and engages in sarcastic exchanges with Aunt Nancy.
- Aunt Elizabeth Murray
Mentioned critically by Aunt Nancy; Emily defends her honor.
- Ilse Burnley
Emily misses her and receives a letter from her about the Midsummer Night's Dream play.
- Teddy Kent
Emily misses him during her stay at Wyther Grange.
Key passages
“I have been a fortnight at Wyther Grange and I have not written to you once. But I thought of you every day.”
Emily admits she hasn't written to her father for two weeks but assures him she thought of him daily.
Emily's guilt and affection for her father are evident.
“I have broken Aunt Nancy's Jakobite glass. It seems to me like a dreadful dream.”
Emily accidentally shatters the heirloom glass and feels as if she is in a nightmare.
The incident triggers Emily's moral crisis.
“I can bear it when other people have a bad opinion of me but it hurts too much when I have a bad opinion of myself.”
Emily finds it more painful to disapprove of herself than to be judged by others.
This reveals Emily's strong inner conscience.