Emma (novel)
Emma Woodhouse - the second daughter of Mr. Woodhouse. Jane Austen introduces Emma as "handsome, clever, and rich, with a comfortable home and happy disposition," and has had "...very little to distress or vex her." She is elegant, friendly, and cares about her friends. However, Emma can also be proud and vain, like when she stops Harriet from marrying Robert Martin. Sometimes her kind feelings and her pride struggle with each other: "Emma could not but picture it all, and feel how justly they must resent (be angry), how naturally Harriet must suffer...She would have given a great deal, or endured a great deal, to have had the Martins in a higher rank of life. They were so deserving, a little higher should have been enough; but as it was, how could she have done otherwise? Impossible! She could not repent (be sorry). They must be separated..." Emma is also an "imaginist," "on fire with speculation (guesses) and foresight." She tries to match the people around her, but thinks she will never marry. Mr. Knightley warns her to try not to do so: "You are more likely to have done harm (bad) to yourself, than good to them, by interference." He also says to Mrs. Weston, "Emma is spoiled by being the cleverest of her family. At ten years she had the misfortune of being able to answer questions which puzzled her sister at seventeen...ever since she was twelve, Emma has been mistress of the house and of you all." Later, however, she sees her mistakes and has a happy marriage with Mr. Knightley.