Chapter XVII explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Matchmaking and Self-Deception

  Emma resolves to abandon matchmaking after her failed scheme for Harriet and Mr. Elton, recognizing her own self-deception and the harm it caused.

• Self-Knowledge and Growth

  Emma's confession to Harriet and her renewed resolutions mark a step toward self-awareness and moral growth, though she doubts her ability to become simple-minded.

• Friendship and Influence

  Emma strives to prove her affection for Harriet through kindness and comfort rather than manipulation, reflecting a shift in their friendship dynamic.

Characters to notice

• Emma Woodhouse

  Resolves to be humble and discreet, repressing imagination; confesses her matchmaking error to Harriet and strives to comfort her.

• Harriet Smith

  Grieves artlessly over Mr. Elton's rejection; shows ingenuousness and lowly opinion of herself, earning Emma's admiration.

• Mr. Elton

  Sends a ceremonious note announcing his departure for Bath, pointedly excluding Emma from his compliments.

• Mr. Woodhouse

  Fears for Mr. Elton's safety on the journey; laments Isabella's departure and is preoccupied with his own anxieties.

• Isabella Knightley

  Departs Hartfield with her family; described as a model of right feminine happiness, blind to her children's faults.

• Mr. John Knightley

  Departs Hartfield with Isabella and the children after the weather improves.

Key passages

• “Her second duty now, inferior only to her father's claims, was to promote Harriet's comfort, and endeavour to prove her own affection in some better method than by matchmaking.”

  Emma now sees her primary responsibility, after caring for her father, as comforting Harriet and showing her love through actions other than matchmaking.

  Emma redefines her priorities, rejecting her former matchmaking role.

• “It was rather too late in the day to set about being simple-minded and ignorant; but she left her with every previous resolution confirmed of being humble and discreet, and repressing imagination all the rest of her life.”

  Emma acknowledges it is too late for her to become naive, but she leaves Harriet determined to be humble, discreet, and to curb her imagination permanently.

  Emma's self-awareness of her own nature and her commitment to reform.

• “The confession completely renewed her first shame—and the sight of Harriet's tears made her think that she should never be in charity with herself again.”

  Admitting her mistake brought back Emma's original shame, and seeing Harriet cry made her feel she could never forgive herself.

  Emma's deep remorse over her role in Harriet's disappointment.