In early 19th-century England, Emma Woodhouse, is a congenial but naïve young woman. After her governess, Miss Taylor, marries Mr Weston, Emma proudly takes credit for bringing the couple together and now considers herself a matchmaker within her small community. Her father and old family friend, George Knightley, whose brother is married to Emma's sister, dispute her claim and discourage any further matchmaking attempts. Ignoring their warnings, she schemes to match Mr Elton, the village minister, with her friend, Harriet Smith, a rather unsophisticated young woman on the verges of society.