Emma Love Quotes

It was an unsuitable connexion, and did not produce much happiness. Mrs. Weston ought to have found more in it, for she had a husband whose warm heart and sweet temper made him think every thing due to her in return for the great goodness of being in love with him.

– Jane Austen

Emma, Chapter 2. This refers to Mr. Weston’s first marriage to Miss Churchill. They were a mismatch as regards social standing, Mr. Weston being of lower social rank and Miss Churchill’s family disapproving of the marriage. While Mrs. Weston loved her husband, she missed the luxuries of her former home. The quote highlights the downside to a marriage built on social inequality, when love is unable to overcome societal and class pressures.

She had no intellectual superiority to make atonement to herself, or frighten those who might hate her into outward respect. She had never boasted either beauty or cleverness. Her youth had passed without distinction, and her middle of life was devoted to the care of a failing mother, and the endeavour to make a small income go as far as possible. And yet she was a happy woman, and a woman whom no one named without good-will.

– Jane Austen

Emma, Chapter 3. When Austen introduces Miss Bates to the reader as someone quite different to Emma, she is described in terms inviting comparison with her. She is a spinster who lacks Emma’s beauty, intelligence and wealth. But she is a good person who devotes herself to lovingly caring for an ailing mother. While she doesn’t have Emma’s privileged financial and class position, she is a happy woman. Highlighted here is the idea that happiness is not dependent on wealth or status.

It was her own universal good-will and contented temper which worked such wonders. She loved every body, was interested in every body’s happiness, quick sighted to every body’s merits; thought herself a most fortunate creature, and surrounded with blessings in such an excellent mother, and so many good neighbours and friends, and a home that wanted for nothing. The simplicity and cheerfulness of her nature, her contented and grateful spirit, were a recommendation to every body, and a mine of felicity to herself.

– Jane Austen

Emma, Chapter 3. While Miss Bates lacks Emma’s beauty, intelligence and economic resources, her virtues and positive personality traits make up for these deficiencies. She shows love and goodwill to everybody in Highbury, which is why she is so popular there. Regarded as a contented and grateful person, Austen uses the metaphor of a “mine of felicity” to describe her cheerful nature.

“She always declares she will never marry, which, of course, means just nothing at all. But I have no idea that she has yet ever seen a man she cared for. It would not be a bad thing for her to be very much in love with a proper object. I should like to see Emma in love, and in some doubt of a return; it would do her good. But there is nobody hereabouts to attach her; and she goes so seldom from home.”

– Jane Austen

Emma, Chapter 5. Mr. Knightley believes that Emma should not be taken too seriously when she says she will never marry. He feels that she simply hasn’t met someone she deeply cares for. But he hopes that she will eventually fall in love with someone suitable – “a proper object,” suggesting the importance of social status and class.

She was quite convinced of Mr. Elton’s being in the fairest way of falling in love, if not in love already…”You have given Miss Smith all that she required,” said he; “you have made her graceful and easy. She was a beautiful creature when she came to you, but, in my opinion, the attractions you have added are infinitely superior to what she received from nature.”

– Jane Austen

Emma, Chapter 6. Emma should have read the warning signs when Mr. Elton heaped lavish praise on her role in the transformation of her friend Harriet. But she didn’t. Convinced of her great matchmaking skills, she believes that Mr. Elton is falling in love with Harriet, if not already in love. But what she fails to hear is Elton’s obvious admiration for her, something that is obvious to the reader, making this an example of dramatic irony. The quote also reflects how Emma misreads people. All she can hear are Elton’s words of praise for Harriet, which is why Mr. Elton’s declaration of love for Emma comes as a shock to her later.

“I lay it down as a general rule, Harriet, that if a woman doubts as to whether she should accept a man or not, she certainly ought to refuse him. If she can hesitate as to ‘Yes,’ she ought to say ‘No’ directly. It is not a state to be safely entered into with doubtful feelings, with half a heart.”

– Jane Austen

Emma, Chapter 7. Emma offers this advice to Harriet, because she thinks that she can do better than farmer Robert Martin. Mind you, it is quite good advice, especially to a naive and impressionable young girl like Harriet. If she doesn’t know whether she should accept Mr. Martin’s marriage proposal without having to discuss it with Emma, then she probably isn’t ready for this level of commitment yet. Later, without having to consult Emma, she does realize that she does love Mr. Martin and is ready to share a life with him.

“Till it appears that men are much more philosophic on the subject of beauty than they are generally supposed; till they do fall in love with well-informed minds instead of handsome faces, a girl, with such loveliness as Harriet, has a certainty of being admired and sought after, of having the power of choosing from among many.”

– Jane Austen

Emma, Chapter 8. Emma argues that until men fall in love with women’s minds rather than their faces, a beautiful woman like Harriet will have many suitors. This reflects the ongoing debate between the sexes over the importance of physical beauty in a person’s choice of a mate.

“Humph – Harriet’s ready wit! All the better. A man must be very much in love, indeed, to describe her so.”

– Jane Austen

Emma, Chapter 9. With riddles being collected for Harriet’s book, Mr. Elton shows up with one where Emma sees the answer is “courtship.” One of the lines of the riddle is “Thy ready wit the word will soon supply.” Emma misinterprets this as a sign that Mr. Elton is very much in love with Harriet. She is blind to the fact that Mr. Elton is talking about her. This serves as an example of dramatic irony, since the reader is already aware of his interest in Emma.

“There does seem to be a something in the air of Hartfield which gives love exactly the right direction, and sends it into the very channel where it ought to flow. The course of true love never did run smooth – A Hartfield edition of Shakespeare would have a long note on that passage.”

– Jane Austen

Emma, Chapter 9. Austen’s admiration for Shakespeare can be seen throughout her works. Here Emma speaks of Hartfield as a place where love always flows in the right direction. Her mind is on the match she is encouraging between Harriet and Mr. Elton, whom Emma mistakenly believes loves Harriet. Adding to the irony is the reference to the line from A Midsummer Night’s Dream about true love never running smoothly. For Harriet and Mr. Elton the course of true love will run anything but smoothly.

“I have none of the usual inducements of women to marry. Were I to fall in love, indeed, it would be a different thing! but I never have been in love; it is not my way, or my nature; and I do not think I ever shall. And, without love, I am sure I should be a fool to change such a situation as mine.”

– Jane Austen

Emma, Chapter 10. Emma is sufficiently secure financially that she doesn’t need to marry for economic reasons, she tells Harriet. But if she were to fall in love, now that would be another story, she admits, though she qualifies this by saying love is not her way or nature. Highlighted in this passage are the pressures on women without Emma’s wealth and a comfortable home to marry. Also foreshadowed is that Emma does indeed fall in love and marry.

“Fortune I do not want; employment I do not want; consequence I do not want: I believe few married women are half as much mistress of their husband’s house as I am of Hartfield; and never, never could I expect to be so truly beloved and important; so always first and always right in any man’s eyes as I am in my father’s.”

– Jane Austen

Emma, Chapter 10. Emma doesn’t feel the economic need to wed, since she is mistress of Hartfield, her father’s house in the English countryside. Nor is she in need of the love of a husband, since she is content with her father’s love. In her case against marriage she makes to her friend Harriet, she comes across as somewhat smug and superior sounding. And she is rather proud of a privileged position many other women are not lucky enough to enjoy, including Harriet.

“Well,” said she to herself, “this is most strange! – After I had got him off so well, to chuse to go into company, and leave Harriet ill behind! – Most strange indeed! – But there is, I believe, in many men, especially single men, such an inclination – such a passion for dining out – a dinner engagement is so high in the class of their pleasures, their employments, their dignities, almost their duties, that anything gives way to it – and this must be the case with Mr. Elton; a most valuable, amiable, pleasing young man undoubtedly, and very much in love with Harriet; but still, he cannot refuse an invitation, he must dine out wherever he is asked. What a strange thing love is! he can see ready wit in Harriet, but will not dine alone for her.”

– Jane Austen

Emma, Chapter 13. We see Austen’s use of ironic humor and Emma’s propensity for misperception and self-deception when Emma talks of Mr. Elton’s strange behavior towards Harriet. Strange for Emma, because she mistakenly believes that she has made a love match for Harriet with Mr. Elton. But the audience knows that he is more interested in Emma than her friend. And she is too blind to see this.

“You will do well to consider whether it is so or not, and to regulate your behaviour accordingly. I think your manners to him encouraging. I speak as a friend, Emma. You had better look about you, and ascertain what you do, and what you mean to do.”

– Jane Austen

Emma, Chapter 13. Emma is warned by John Knightley to consider whether Mr. Elton is in love with her, and to adjust her behavior accordingly. He believes Emma has been encouraging him. He is the first person to point out that Mr. Elton is wooing Emma.

She believed he had been drinking too much of Mr. Weston’s good wine, and felt sure that he would want to be talking nonsense. To restrain him as much as might be, by her own manners, she was immediately preparing to speak with exquisite calmness and gravity of the weather and the night; but…she found her subject cut up – her hand seized – her attention demanded, and Mr. Elton actually making violent love to her: availing himself of the precious opportunity, declaring sentiments which must be already well known, hoping – fearing – adoring – ready to die if she refused him.

– Jane Austen

Emma, Chapter 15. After the Westons’ dinner party, a horrified Emma finds herself alone with Mr. Elton in the carriage when he makes “violent love” to her hand. He declares that he will die if she refuses his proposal. Austen uses powerful hyperbolic language to add to the humorous tone and comedy of the scene. There is situational irony because Emma was expecting a conversation about the weather, but instead got Mr. Elton’s passionate proposal. Mr. Elton’s drunken behavior and dreadful lack of social etiquette when it comes to courting are satirized here.

“I never thought of Miss Smith in the whole course of my existence – never paid her any attentions but as your friend: never cared whether she were dead or alive, but as your friend. If she has fancied otherwise, her own wishes have misled her, and I am very sorry – extremely sorry – But, Miss Smith, indeed! – Oh! Miss Woodhouse! who can think of Miss Smith, when Miss Woodhouse is near!…I have thought only of you.”

– Jane Austen

Emma, Chapter 15. Emma’s efforts to matchmake her lower class friend Harriet with Mr. Elton backfire, as seen in Mr. Elton’s response to Emma’s demand that he direct love to Harriet and not her. In a furious rant, Mr. Elton says that he doesn’t care whether Miss Smith is alive or dead, professing that he only has thoughts for Emma. Laid bare here is Emma’s poor judgment and misreading that Mr. Elton was romantically interested in Harriet. While she was preoccupied with matchmaking the two, she neglected to see that Mr. Elton was attracted to her.

“Every body has their level: but as for myself, I am not, I think, quite so much at a loss. I need not so totally despair of an equal alliance, as to be addressing myself to Miss Smith!”

– Jane Austen

Emma, Chapter 15. In a rant to Emma about Harriet Smith, Mr. Elton dismisses the very thought of marriage to her. The middle class clergyman rejects Miss Smith because of her lower social status, while declaring his love for Emma. This is rather ironic, since Elton is socially inferior to Emma, the woman he says he wants.

“Miss Fairfax is naturally so pale, as almost always to give the appearance of ill health. – A most deplorable want of complexion.”

– Jane Austen

Emma, Chapter 24. There is a great deal of irony in Frank Churchill’s statement about Jane Fairfax. He dismisses her for having a “deplorable want of complexion,” giving the impression that he has no romantic interest in her. But later in the story we discover his intimate attachment to her and their secret engagement. The quote is an example of situational irony and Frank’s deceptive behavior.

“It is a most repulsive quality, indeed,” said he. “Oftentimes very convenient, no doubt, but never pleasing. There is safety in reserve, but no attraction. One cannot love a reserved person.”

– Jane Austen

Emma, Chapter 24. Frank Churchill’s comments about Jane Fairfax’s reserve are hypocritical and a good example of situational irony. Describing reserve as “repulsive,” he claims that he could not love a reserved person. Yet we later learn that he is involved in a secret relationship with Jane Fairfax and engaged to her. Frank’s actions are often contrary to what he says are his beliefs, highlighting his deceptive nature.

“I know no man more likely than Mr. Knightley to do the sort of thing – to do any thing really good-natured, useful, considerate, or benevolent. He is not a gallant man, but he is a very humane one; – and for an act of unostentatious kindness, there is nobody whom I would fix on more than on Mr. Knightley.”

– Jane Austen

Emma, Chapter 26. Emma describes her high opinion of Mr. Knightley’s character and his tendency to acts of kindness towards others. She is reacting to Mrs. Weston telling her how Knightley brought his carriage to the Coles’s party in order to give Jane Fairfax a ride home and spare her having to walk. While she doesn’t realize it, Emma is describing the kind of qualities in Mr. Knightley that make her fall in love with him.

“Mr. Knightley and Jane Fairfax!” exclaimed Emma. “Dear Mrs. Weston, how could you think of such a thing? – Mr. Knightley! – Mr. Knightley must not marry! – You would not have little Henry cut out from Donwell? – Oh! no, no, Henry must have Donwell. I cannot at all consent to Mr. Knightley’s marrying; and I am sure it is not at all likely. I am amazed that you should think of such a thing.”

– Jane Austen

Emma, Chapter 26. At the Coles’s party Emma is horrified at the idea of Mr. Knightley marrying Jane Fairfax. This is after Mrs. Weston suggests seeing a match between the two. Declaring that Mr. Knightley must not marry, Emma clutches for a reason: that his nephew Henry’s position of primary inheritor of Donwell estate would be threatened. Of course the real threat is to Emma’s as yet unacknowledged love for Knightley and desire to have him as her own. But Emma continues to deceive herself on this.

“But Mr. Knightley does not want to marry. I am sure he has not the least idea of it. Do not put it into his head. Why should he marry? – He is as happy as possible by himself; with his farm, and his sheep, and his library, and all the parish to manage; and he is extremely fond of his brother’s children. He has no occasion to marry, either to fill up his time or his heart.”

– Jane Austen

Emma, Chapter 26. When Mrs. Weston talks of the “probability” of a match between Mr. Knightley and Jane Fairfax, Emma presents sound arguments why Mr. Knightley will not marry. Like he loves his farm, sheep, managing the parish, and his brother’s children. But is it a case of “The lady doth protest too much?” While Emma doesn’t realize or accept it yet, she herself is in love with Knightley. We see here an example of Emma’s self-deception about her own desires.

Her objections to Mr. Knightley’s marrying did not in the least subside. She could see nothing but evil in it. It would be a great disappointment to Mr. John Knightley; consequently to Isabella. A real injury to the children – a most mortifying change, and material loss to them all; – a very great deduction from her father’s daily comfort – and, as to herself, she could not at all endure the idea of Jane Fairfax at Donwell Abbey. A Mrs. Knightley for them all to give way to! – No – Mr. Knightley must never marry. Little Henry must remain the heir of Donwell.

– Jane Austen

Emma, Chapter 26. This is Emma’s train of thought when she notices Mr. Knightley being “most attentive” to Jane Fairfax’s singing and piano playing. She thinks about Mrs. Weston’s suggestion of a match between Jane and Mr. Knightley and forcefully objects to it. She reaches for all kinds of reasons why the match is ill advised. But her hyperbolic dismissal of it as “nothing but evil” betrays her self-deception about her own feelings for Mr. Knightley. Her out of proportion and jealous reaction foreshadows her eventual realization that she is deeply in love with him.

“If you are very kind,” said he, “it will be one of the waltzes we danced last night; – let me live them over again. You did not enjoy them as I did; you appeared tired the whole time. I believe you were glad we danced no longer; but I would have given worlds – all the worlds one ever has to give – for another half-hour.” She played.

– Jane Austen

Emma, Chapter 28. At the apartment of the Bares women Frank Churchill flirts with Jane Fairfax through music. He goes to the piano to ask Jane to play a waltz they danced to the previous night. He would have “given worlds” to have danced with her longer, he tells her. Jane’s responds to his request – “She played” – makes clear that there is more than flirting going on here. There is a love bond between them, as will be confirmed later when we learn they have been secretly engaged.

“What felicity it is to hear a tune again which has made one happy! – If I mistake not that was danced at Weymouth.” She looked up at him for a moment, coloured deeply, and played something else.

– Jane Austen

Emma, Chapter 28. When Frank asks Jane to play a waltz on the piano, she obliges by playing one that has a special meaning for them both. He fondly recalls it as a tune they danced together to at Weymouth, while Jane blushes in response. The flirting that goes on between Frank and Jane in this scene hints of them being lovers, foreshadowing the later revelation of their secret engagement.

“Very thoughtful of Colonel Campbell, was not it? – He knew Miss Fairfax could have no music here. I honour that part of the attention particularly; it shews it to have been so thoroughly from the heart. Nothing hastily done; nothing incomplete. True affection only could have prompted it.” Emma wished he would be less pointed, yet could not help being amused; and when on glancing her eye towards Jane Fairfax she caught the remains of a smile, when she saw that with all the deep blush of consciousness, there had been a smile of secret delight.

– Jane Austen

Emma, Chapter 28. You would need to be a linguistics expert to interpret the secret languages spoken and unspoken during the piano scene at the Bates’s apartment. Frank Churchill is talking about the music that came with the piano Jane Fairfax is playing. To Jane, secretly engaged to Frank, he is expressing his “true affection” for her. For it was he who secretly bought her the piano and music. But to everybody else’s ears, Frank is saying that Colonel Campbell supplied the music and is implying the piano was a gift from him too. Emma of course misreads everything she hears and sees. She believes that the piano came from Mr. Dixon, the husband of Jane’s friend. To Emma, the reference to “true affection” is a dig at Jane’s supposed affair with Mr. Dixon. Jane’s blushes and smile are enough to confirm Emma’s suspicions.

“It was something to feel that all the rest of my time might be given to Hartfield. My regard for Hartfield is most warm” – He stopt again, rose again, and seemed quite embarrassed. – He was more in love with her than Emma had supposed; and who can say how it might have ended, if his father had not made his appearance? Mr. Woodhouse soon followed; and the necessity of exertion made him composed.

– Jane Austen

Emma, Chapter 30. Austen takes us through one of Emma’s many self-deceptions and misperceptions at a meeting between her and Frank Churchill before he leaves to visit his sick aunt. Emma wrongly interprets his agitation, hesitation and distress as signs that he is in love with her. It is later revealed that Frank is in fact secretly engaged to Jane Fairfax.

It had been a very happy fortnight, and forlorn must be the sinking from it into the common course of Hartfield days. To complete every other recommendation, he had almost told her that he loved her. What strength, or what constancy of affection he might be subject to, was another point; but at present she could not doubt his having a decidedly warm admiration, a conscious preference of herself; and this persuasion, joined to all the rest, made her think that she must be a little in love with him, in spite of every previous determination against it.

– Jane Austen

Emma, Chapter 30. Emma misreads the actions and words of the wealthy and charming Frank Churchill as a sign that he is in love with her. Flattered by this and maybe having a little crush on him, she deceives herself into believing that she loves him.
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