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$Unique_ID{bob01234}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Works of Jane Austen
Emma: Chapters 26 - 39}
$Subtitle{}
$Author{Austen, Jane}
$Affiliation{Instructor Of English, Rutgers University}
$Subject{emma
jane
frank
mrs
knightley
weston
harriet
elton
miss
bates
hear
audio
hear
sound
}
$Date{}
$Log{Hear Emma's Imagination Goes to Work*68190011.aud
}
Title: Works of Jane Austen
Book: Emma
Author: Austen, Jane
Critic: Fitzpatrick, William J.
Affiliation: Instructor Of English, Rutgers University
Emma: Chapters 26 - 39
Chapter XXVI
Frank Churchill returns, and after seeing him, Emma decides that "silly
things cease to be silly if they are done by sensible people in an impudent
way." Mr. Knightley is definitely wrong about him.
When Emma arrives at the Coles' for the dinner party, she notices that
Mr. Knightley, contrary to his usual custom, has taken his carriage. Emma
remarks that she is pleased to see him assume this unwonted formality. At
dinner, Mrs. Cole breaks the news that a pianoforte from an anonymous donor
arrived for Jane Fairfax. Jane could not at first think who could have sent
it, but she finally decided that it must be from Colonel Campbell, even though
he had not said a word to her about it. Mrs. Cole remarks that it is fitting
that Jane Fairfax, who is such an accomplished musician, should have a piano
to play on. Emma then privately discusses the surprising event with Frank, and
he readily agrees with - even encourages - her when she reasons that Mr. Dixon
was the most likely donor, especially in view of what Frank had told her
previously about his having so admired Jane's playing. Emma declares that she
believes that Jane and Mr. Dixon are in love with each other and that that was
the reason for her coming to Highbury instead of accompanying the Churchills
to Ireland. Frank adds that he agrees that the piano is "an offering of love."
After dinner, Miss Bates, Jane, and the others who were not invited to
the dinner arrive for the music and dancing. From Frank Churchill's close
attentions to Emma during the party, she concludes that everybody must be
aware that he is falling in love with her. When Harriet says that Frank bears
some resemblance to Mr. Elton, Emma turns away from her in silent indignation.
Frank confides to Emma his difficulty in getting away from his aunt and uncle.
When Emma observes that Frank is staring at Miss Fairfax, he says that he was
distracted by the outrageous way she has done her hair. He then says that he
will go across to ask her about it, and tells Emma to watch to see if she
blushes. But he so places himself while talking to Jane that Emma cannot see
her.
Mrs. Weston then comes over to talk to Emma and informs her that Miss
Bates and Jane arrived in Mr. Knightley's carriage, which will also take them
home again. Emma replies that this is typical of Mr. Knightley's
"unostentatious" consideration. But Mrs. Weston reveals her suspicion of a
blossoming romance between Mr. Knightley and Jane Fairfax. Emma virtually
explodes at this conjecture. How could Mrs. Weston think such a thing! Mr.
Knightley must not marry! It would deprive her nephew, Henry, of his
inheritance of Donwell Abbey. Emma will not consent to Mr. Knightley's
marrying - especially to Jane Fairfax. The idea has never occurred to Emma.
Mrs. Weston has no business taking up matchmaking. Why, Mr. Knightley does not
want to marry! He is perfectly happy as he is. He has no love for Jane
Fairfax. Such a connection would be degrading. Emma mimics Jane's aunt, Miss
Bates, and Mrs. Weston gently rebukes her for it. Emma is adamant although
Mrs. Weston points out how solicitous Mr. Knightley has been toward Jane and
her relatives, how he had admired her performance at the piano. She argues
that the piano might be a gift from Mr. Knightley. But Emma replies that this
would be out of character, for he does nothing mysteriously.
The time comes for Emma to entertain at the piano, and Frank Churchill
joins her in her singing. Then Miss Fairfax takes her turn and Emma does not
deny to herself that Jane's abilities in song and in playing are superior to
her own. Frank Churchill also joins Jane in a duet several times.
When Mr. Knightley sits down by Emma during the singing, she has an
opportunity to observe his attitude to Jane. He remarks that it was a mistake
for Colonel Campbell not to have notified Jane of the gift: "Surprises are
foolish things." When Mr. Knightley notices Jane's voice beginning to strain,
he becomes angry at Mr. Churchill who urges her to go on singing, and prevails
on Miss Bates to interfere lest her niece become hoarse. When the dancing
begins, Frank chooses Emma for his first partner, and Emma notices that Mr.
Knightley does not dance with Jane. When the dancing breaks up early, Frank
Churchill remarks to Emma that it is just as well, for he would have had to
dance with Jane Fairfax and would not have found her dancing agreeable.
Comment:
What surprising thing occurred at almost the same time that someone sent
Jane a piano from London? (Answer: Frank Churchill went to London for a
haircut.)
The reader will notice how easily Frank Churchill encourages Emma's
gratuitous invention of a romance of Mr. Dixon and Jane Fairfax. Again, the
author means for the reader to keep in mind every detail of Frank's behavior
to Jane. The reader will also notice that Emma, who so far has a poor record
in matchmaking herself, disapproves of Mrs. Weston's trying her hand at it.
There may be a more profund explanation than Emma gives for her outburst at
the suggestion that Mr. Knightley will marry Jane Fairfax.
Chapter XXVII
The next day, Emma recalls with pleasure her success at the party at the
Coles'. She somewhat regrets her having talked about Jane to Frank, and she
sits down and practices at the piano for an hour and a half (perhaps because
she saw how much better Jane Fairfax was). Harriet then comes in for a visit
and tells Emma that she plays quite as well as Jane. Harriet remarks that Jane
has to play well because she is going to have to teach for a living. When
asked her opinion on how the Coxes looked at the party, Emma answers that they
were as vulgar as they always are. Harriet states that the Cox girls may have
their eyes on Robert Martin. Harriet and Emma then go to Ford's (the
haberdasher). While waiting for the vacillating Harriet to make up her mind on
her purchase, Emma notices Mrs. Weston and her stepson, Frank, coming down the
road. They are about to go into the Bateses' when they notice Emma and come
over to greet her. Mrs. Weston informs her that Frank has reminded her that
she promised to call on Miss Bates today to hear the piano - though Mrs.
Weston does not remember the promise. Frank now wants to leave Mrs. Weston to
go with Emma, but Mrs. Weston insists that he accompany her since he
previously indicated that intention. Frank remarks to Emma that it would be
difficult for him to compliment Jane on the piano if she were not good, since
he is a very poor liar. He and Mrs. Weston now go to the Bateses'. While
Harriet is deciding with great difficulty where to have her parcel sent, Mrs.
Weston and Miss Bates come over to ask Harriet to join them. Miss Bates
proceeds to chatter on about apples and Mr. Knightley's generosity in sending
them for Jane, and they all swim over to the Bateses' in her flood of words.
Comment:
In this chapter, we have another example of Harriet's lack of decision
which shows itself even in the smallest things. The reader should bear in mind
Frank's remark about being a very poor liar.
Chapter XXVIII
When they enter the apartment, Frank Churchill is still busy fixing Mrs.
Bates' glasses and Jane is busy at the piano. Frank immediately sits beside
Emma, who is thinking about the emotion Jane must be feeling while playing at
the piano sent by the man she loves. Frank proceeds to amuse Emma in spite of
herself by chattering on about Colonel Campbell's care and taste in s