--- title: Emma Metadescription: Chapter by chapter summaries of what happens in all fifty-five, each one linking straight to the full text. author: Jane Austen chapters: 55 canonical: https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma --- Token estimate: ~4,200 # Emma Jane Austen - [Chapter One](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-01) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-01.md)) - Miss Taylor marries Mr. Weston, and Emma claims credit for the match while Mr. Knightley tells her she only made a lucky guess. - [Chapter Two](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-02) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-02.md)) - Mr. Weston's first marriage and the giving up of his son Frank Churchill are recounted, and Mr. Woodhouse frets over the wedding cake. - [Chapter Three](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-03) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-03.md)) - Mrs. Goddard brings Harriet Smith to an evening party at Hartfield, and Emma decides to improve her and detach her from the Martins. - [Chapter Four](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-04) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-04.md)) - Harriet Smith praises Robert Martin, they meet him on the Donwell road, and Emma calls him clownish and fixes on Mr. Elton for her. - [Chapter Five](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-05) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-05.md)) - Mr. Knightley tells Mrs. Weston that Emma's friendship with Harriet Smith will harm them both, and Mrs. Weston defends Emma. - [Chapter Six](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-06) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-06.md)) - Emma paints Harriet Smith's portrait while Mr. Elton reads aloud and praises it, then he offers to take it to London to be framed. - [Chapter Seven](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-07) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-07.md)) - Harriet Smith receives a written marriage proposal from Robert Martin, and Emma steers her into refusing it that same day. - [Chapter Eight](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-08) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-08.md)) - Mr. Knightley learns Harriet Smith refused Robert Martin, blames Emma for it, and warns her that Mr. Elton will not marry Harriet. - [Chapter Nine](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-09) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-09.md)) - Mr. Elton leaves a charade at Hartfield, Emma solves it as courtship and tells Harriet Smith it is a declaration meant for her. - [Chapter Ten](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-10) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-10.md)) - Emma and Harriet Smith visit a poor sick family, then meet Mr. Elton, and Emma breaks her bootlace to leave them alone, but he makes no proposal. - [Chapter Eleven](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-11) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-11.md)) - Emma leaves Mr. Elton to himself as Isabella and John Knightley arrive at Hartfield with their five children, and Mr. Woodhouse mourns Miss Taylor. - [Chapter Twelve](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-12) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-12.md)) - Mr. Knightley dines at Hartfield and is reconciled with Emma, and John Knightley loses his temper at Mr. Perry's views on South End. - [Chapter Thirteen](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-13) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-13.md)) - Harriet Smith falls ill and misses the Randalls dinner, and John Knightley warns Emma that Mr. Elton's attentions are aimed at her, not Harriet. - [Chapter Fourteen](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-14) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-14.md)) - At the Randalls dinner Mr. Elton sits by Emma and flatters her, while Mr. Weston tells her Frank Churchill will visit within a fortnight. - [Chapter Fifteen](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-15) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-15.md)) - Snow alarms Mr. Woodhouse at Randalls, and in the carriage home Mr. Elton proposes to Emma, who refuses him and learns he scorns Harriet Smith. - [Chapter Sixteen](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-16) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-16.md)) - Emma blames herself for misleading Harriet about Mr. Elton, and heavy snow keeps her from church and from seeing anyone at Christmas. - [Chapter Seventeen](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-17) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-17.md)) - Mr. Elton sends word that he is leaving for Bath, and Emma goes to Mrs. Goddard's to tell Harriet that he never cared for her. - [Chapter Eighteen](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-18) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-18.md)) - Frank Churchill writes to put off his visit to Randalls, and Emma and Mr. Knightley argue over whether he could have come if he wished. - [Chapter Nineteen](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-19) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-19.md)) - Emma takes Harriet to call on Miss Bates, who relays a letter saying Jane Fairfax is coming to Highbury for three months. - [Chapter Twenty](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-20) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-20.md)) - Jane Fairfax's upbringing by the Campbells is recounted, and Emma admires her elegance on her arrival but is annoyed by her reserve. - [Chapter Twenty-One](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-21) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-21.md)) - Miss Bates brings news that Mr. Elton is engaged to Miss Hawkins, and Harriet Smith describes meeting Robert Martin at Ford's shop. - [Chapter Twenty-Two](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-22) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-22.md)) - Mr. Elton returns to Highbury engaged, Emma learns Miss Hawkins has ten thousand pounds, and she plans a short visit for Harriet Smith to the Martins. - [Chapter Twenty-Three](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-23) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-23.md)) - Harriet Smith pays a short visit to the Martins, and Frank Churchill arrives a day early at Hartfield before calling on Jane Fairfax. - [Chapter Twenty-Four](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-24) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-24.md)) - Frank Churchill walks Highbury with Emma and Mrs. Weston, buys gloves at Ford's, and hints that Mr. Dixon admired Jane Fairfax's playing. - [Chapter Twenty-Five](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-25) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-25.md)) - Frank Churchill goes to London to have his hair cut, and Emma accepts the Coles' dinner invitation after Mr. Woodhouse is talked round. - [Chapter Twenty-Six](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-26) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-26.md)) - Frank Churchill returns and at the Coles' dinner Mrs. Cole reports a pianoforte sent to Jane Fairfax, and Mrs. Weston suspects Mr. Knightley sent it. - [Chapter Twenty-Seven](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-27) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-27.md)) - Emma practises the pianoforte, Harriet reports that Mr. Martin dined with the Coxes, and Miss Bates invites them in to hear Jane Fairfax's pianoforte. - [Chapter Twenty-Eight](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-28) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-28.md)) - Frank Churchill mends Mrs. Bates's spectacles and teases Jane Fairfax about the pianoforte, and Mr. Knightley rides past but will not come in. - [Chapter Twenty-Nine](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-29) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-29.md)) - Frank Churchill plans a ball, the Randalls rooms prove too small, and the party moves it to the Crown Inn where Emma is engaged for the first two dances. - [Chapter Thirty](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-30) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-30.md)) - Mrs. Churchill falls ill and Frank Churchill is recalled to Enscombe, the ball is given up, and he nearly declares his love to Emma before leaving. - [Chapter Thirty-One](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-31) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-31.md)) - Emma decides she is only slightly in love with Frank Churchill, reads his letter to Mrs. Weston, and comforts Harriet Smith about Mr. Elton's wedding. - [Chapter Thirty-Two](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-32) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-32.md)) - Emma and Harriet Smith pay a wedding visit to Mrs. Elton, and on the return visit Emma decides Mrs. Elton is vain, ignorant and ill-bred. - [Chapter Thirty-Three](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-33) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-33.md)) - Mrs. Elton adopts Jane Fairfax as a protegee, and Mr. Knightley tells Emma and Mrs. Weston that he will never ask Jane Fairfax to marry him. - [Chapter Thirty-Four](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-34) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-34.md)) - Emma holds a dinner for the Eltons, Harriet Smith declines so Jane Fairfax is invited, and John Knightley questions Jane about her walk in the rain. - [Chapter Thirty-Five](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-35) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-35.md)) - Mrs. Elton presses Jane Fairfax to let her find a governess post, and Mr. Weston brings a letter saying Frank Churchill is coming to town next week. - [Chapter Thirty-Six](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-36) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-36.md)) - Mr. Weston tells Mrs. Elton that Frank Churchill is coming south because Mrs. Churchill is moving to town, and they discuss her pride. - [Chapter Thirty-Seven](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-37) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-37.md)) - Frank Churchill visits Hartfield briefly and Emma decides he is less in love, and the Churchills move to Richmond so the ball at the Crown is fixed. - [Chapter Thirty-Eight](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-38) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-38.md)) - At the Crown ball Mr. Elton refuses to dance with Harriet Smith, Mr. Knightley partners her instead, and Emma later dances with Mr. Knightley. - [Chapter Thirty-Nine](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-39) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-39.md)) - Frank Churchill rescues Harriet Smith from a party of beggars on the Richmond road and brings her to Hartfield, and Emma imagines a match between them. - [Chapter Forty](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-40) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-40.md)) - Harriet Smith burns her keepsakes of Mr. Elton and says she will never marry, and Emma assumes her new attachment is to Frank Churchill. - [Chapter Forty-One](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-41) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-41.md)) - Mr. Knightley watches the word game at Hartfield, decides Frank Churchill and Jane Fairfax have a secret understanding, and warns Emma, who denies it. - [Chapter Forty-Two](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-42) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-42.md)) - Mrs. Elton and Mr. Knightley arrange the strawberry party at Donwell, where Jane Fairfax walks home alone and Frank Churchill arrives late and cross. - [Chapter Forty-Three](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-43) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-43.md)) - At Box Hill Emma insults Miss Bates over a game of wit, and Mr. Knightley rebukes her for it, leaving her in tears on the drive home. - [Chapter Forty-Four](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-44) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-44.md)) - Emma calls on Miss Bates and learns that Jane Fairfax has accepted a governess post with Mrs. Smallridge and that Frank Churchill left for Richmond. - [Chapter Forty-Five](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-45) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-45.md)) - Mr. Knightley leaves for London after almost kissing Emma's hand, news comes of Mrs. Churchill's death, and Jane Fairfax refuses Emma's help. - [Chapter Forty-Six](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-46) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-46.md)) - Mr. Weston takes Emma to Randalls, where Mrs. Weston tells her that Frank Churchill and Jane Fairfax have been secretly engaged since October. - [Chapter Forty-Seven](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-47) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-47.md)) - Emma learns that Harriet Smith loves Mr. Knightley, not Frank Churchill, and realises she wants to marry Mr. Knightley herself. - [Chapter Forty-Eight](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-48) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-48.md)) - Emma resolves never to marry and asks Harriet Smith by letter to stay away, then Mrs. Weston calls to describe her visit to Jane Fairfax. - [Chapter Forty-Nine](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-49) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-49.md)) - Mr. Knightley returns from London and walks with Emma in the shrubbery, where he tells her he loves her and she accepts him. - [Chapter Fifty](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-50) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-50.md)) - Emma resolves never to leave Mr. Woodhouse, writes to Harriet Smith, and reads Frank Churchill's long letter to Mrs. Weston explaining his conduct. - [Chapter Fifty-One](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-51) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-51.md)) - Mr. Knightley reads Frank Churchill's letter aloud with comments, then proposes that he live at Hartfield after marrying Emma. - [Chapter Fifty-Two](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-52) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-52.md)) - Emma sends Harriet Smith to London, then calls on Jane Fairfax, where Mrs. Elton hints at the engagement and Mr. Elton complains. - [Chapter Fifty-Three](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-53) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-53.md)) - Mrs. Weston has a daughter, and Emma tells Mr. Woodhouse of her engagement to Mr. Knightley, after which Highbury hears the news. - [Chapter Fifty-Four](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-54) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-54.md)) - Mr. Knightley tells Emma that Harriet Smith has accepted Robert Martin, and at Randalls Emma meets Frank Churchill and Jane Fairfax. - [Chapter Fifty-Five](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-55) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/emma/chapter-55.md)) - Harriet Smith marries Robert Martin, and a theft of turkeys frightens Mr. Woodhouse into consenting to Emma's wedding to Mr. Knightley. --- ## Forthcoming **The Rise of Lucia** by Dan Edwards The nineteen-year-old Emmeline Smith, before she became the formidable Lucia. A prequel to E.F. Benson's Mapp and Lucia series. [Read an extract](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/mapp-and-lucia-prequel/chapter-01) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/mapp-and-lucia-prequel/chapter-01.md)) ## Articles - [Writing advice from Jane Austen's teacher](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/articles/writing-advice-from-jane-austens-teacher) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/articles/writing-advice-from-jane-austens-teacher.md)) - Hugh Blair wrote the composition textbook Jane Austen's generation learned from. His rules for clear, unaffected prose read like a modern style guide. - [The sex scenes from Fanny Hill](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/articles/fanny-hill-sex-scenes) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/articles/fanny-hill-sex-scenes.md)) - The eleven substantial sex scenes from Fanny Hill (1748), verbatim and in order. Explicit throughout, but Cleland never uses a coarse word. 14,000 words.