“How could you be so unfeeling to Miss Bates? How could you be so insolent in your wit to a woman of her character, age, and situation? – Emma, I had not thought it possible.” Emma recollected, blushed, was sorry, but tried to laugh it off.
“Nay, how could I help saying what I did? – Nobody could have helped it. It was not so very bad. I dare say she did not understand me.”
“I assure you she did. She felt your full meaning. She has talked of it since. I wish you could have heard how she talked of it – with what candour and generosity.”
– Jane Austen
Emma, Chapter 43. Mr. Knightley strongly rebukes Emma for her insensitive remarks at the Box Hill outing about Miss Bates. There Emma makes Miss Bates the target of her wit, implying she is dull and over-talkative. While Emma tries to laugh it off, this is yet another example of her self-deception and misreading of people. Mr. Knightley tells her that her insult has impacted Miss Bates and has been playing on her mind since. Because of his close relationship with Emma, Knightley is one of the few people who can openly criticize and challenge her. The Box Hill incident is a pivotal scene where Emma’s series of flawed perceptions reach a climax in the story. It becomes a life-changing crisis for her, forcing her to confront her flaws.