Emma · Chapter
Chapter XV explained
At a dinner party at Randalls, Mr.
What happens
At a dinner party at Randalls, Mr. Elton's behavior shifts from feigned concern for Harriet Smith to overt declarations of love for Emma, revealing his true intentions. Emma, shocked and offended, rejects him firmly. The evening ends with a tense carriage ride home, leaving Emma deeply unsettled.
Themes in this chapter
Matchmaking and Self-Deception
Emma's misguided belief that Mr. Elton was courting Harriet leads to her shock and embarrassment when he proposes to her instead, exposing her self-deception.
Pride and Prejudice (in Judgment)
Emma's pride in her matchmaking abilities and her prejudice against Mr. Elton's true character are challenged, while Mr. Elton's pride is wounded by her rejection.
Social Class and Mobility
Mr. Elton's dismissal of Harriet as beneath him ('Everybody has their level') underscores the rigid class distinctions and the importance of social equality in marriage.
Characters to notice
- Emma Woodhouse
Emma is initially in good spirits but becomes vexed and offended by Mr. Elton's improper advances, ultimately rejecting him and feeling perturbed.
- Mr. Elton
Mr. Elton reveals his true feelings for Emma, having never intended to court Harriet, and reacts with anger and mortification upon rejection.
- Harriet Smith
Harriet is the subject of Mr. Elton's feigned concern, though he admits he never thought seriously of her.
- Mrs. Weston
Mrs. Weston is present during the confrontation and is surprised by Mr. Elton's presumptuous address to Emma.
- Mr. Woodhouse
Mr. Woodhouse is anxious about the snowy weather and the carriage ride, but is comforted by Emma's return.
- Mr. John Knightley
Mr. John Knightley announces the snowstorm and later shows kindness and attention to Mr. Woodhouse.
Key passages
“He professed himself extremely anxious about her fair friend—her fair, lovely, amiable friend.”
Mr. Elton expressed great concern for Harriet Smith's health.
Mr. Elton pretends to care about Harriet to mask his true interest in Emma.
“It did appear—there was no concealing it—exactly like the pretence of being in love with her, instead of Harriet; an inconstancy, if real, the most contemptible and abominable!”
Emma realizes Mr. Elton's behavior seems to indicate he is in love with her, not Harriet, which she finds contemptible.
Emma's growing awareness of Mr. Elton's true intentions.
“I have thought only of you. I protest against having paid the smallest attention to anyone else.”
Mr. Elton declares that his attentions have been solely for Emma, not Harriet.
Mr. Elton's confession of his love for Emma.
“Miss Smith is a very good sort of girl; and I should be happy to see her respectably settled. I wish her extremely well: and, no doubt, there are men who might not object to—Everybody has their level: but as for myself, I am not, I think, quite so much at a loss.”
Mr. Elton dismisses Harriet as beneath his social station, implying she is not a suitable match for him.
Mr. Elton's snobbery and class consciousness are revealed.
“I have no thoughts of matrimony at present.”
Emma tells Mr. Elton she does not intend to marry.
Emma's firm rejection of Mr. Elton's proposal.
