# XXXII explained — Emma

> Chapter companion for Emma by Jane Austen.

## What happens

Emma and Harriet pay their respects to the newly married Mrs. Elton. Emma finds her vain, conceited, and underbred, while Mr. Woodhouse offers a mild, polite assessment. Emma reflects on her own feelings and the awkwardness of the visit.

## Themes in this chapter

### Social Class and Mobility

Mrs. Elton's constant references to Maple Grove and her brother-in-law's wealth highlight her preoccupation with social status and her attempt to elevate her own standing.

### Matchmaking and Self-Deception

Emma's reflections on Mr. Elton's marriage and her earlier matchmaking schemes for Harriet reveal her continued self-deception about her own judgment.

### Pride and Prejudice (in Judgment)

Emma's quick and harsh judgment of Mrs. Elton's character demonstrates her own pride and prejudice, as she dismisses the bride as vulgar and underbred.

## Character check-ins

### Emma Woodhouse

Visits Mrs. Elton, forms a negative opinion of her as vain and underbred, and reflects on her own feelings about Frank Churchill.

### Harriet Smith

Accompanies Emma to visit Mrs. Elton, behaves well despite the awkwardness, and expresses admiration for the bride.

### Mrs. Elton

Newly married to Mr. Elton; described as vain, conceited, and underbred, with a tendency to compare everything to Maple Grove.

### Mr. Elton

Present during the visit; Emma reflects on his awkward position as a newlywed.

### Mr. Woodhouse

Engages Mr. Elton during the return visit and offers a mild, polite opinion of Mrs. Elton.

### Mr. Knightley

Mentioned by Mrs. Elton as having visited the Westons; she refers to him familiarly as 'Knightley.'

## Key lines

> Emma had feelings, less of curiosity than of pride or propriety, to make her resolve on not being the last to pay her respects

Emma was motivated more by a sense of duty and social standing than by curiosity to visit the new bride promptly.

_Shows Emma's concern for social propriety and her desire to avoid being seen as neglectful._

> the quarter of an hour quite convinced her that Mrs. Elton was a vain woman, extremely well satisfied with herself, and thinking much of her own importance

Emma quickly concluded that Mrs. Elton was conceited and self-important.

_Highlights Emma's swift and critical judgment of Mrs. Elton's character._

> Insufferable woman! ... Worse than I had supposed. Absolutely insufferable!

Emma finds Mrs. Elton unbearable and even worse than she initially thought.

_Reveals Emma's strong negative reaction and her disdain for Mrs. Elton's manners._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/emma_se/chapters/xxxii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/emma_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/emma_se/chapters