Characters & Relationships
Who is Emma Woodhouse’s closest female friend at the beginning of the novel?
Harriet Smith
Who does Mr. Elton propose to during the carriage ride?
Emma Woodhouse
Which theme is reinforced by Emma’s misguided matchmaking attempts?
The danger of self-deception/misjudgment
What narrative technique does Austen use to merge Emma’s thoughts with the narration?
Free indirect discourse
In what year was Emma first published?
1815
Which character is described as “handsome, clever, and rich”?
Emma Woodhouse
What gift does Harriet receive that makes Emma suspect Mr. Elton’s affection?
A framed riddle/charade
What social issue is highlighted through Harriet Smith’s uncertain parentage?
Class and social mobility
Which literary device is evident in Austen’s use of understatement and irony?
Satire
Which famous novelist described Austen as “the greatest genius that ever lived”?
Virginia Woolf (also often attributed to Walter Scott praising her genius, but Woolf’s line is most quoted)
Who does Harriet Smith believe is in love with her, due to Emma’s persuasion?
Mr. Elton
Which social event brings together much of Highbury and reveals tensions among characters?
The Crown Inn ball
How does Austen use irony to critique gender roles in Emma?
By showing how women are confined by marriage expectations, yet Emma subverts this through her wealth and independence.
How does free indirect discourse shape the reader’s perception of Emma’s character?
It blurs Emma’s thoughts with the narrator’s voice, revealing her biases and misjudgments.
How does Emma reflect Regency England’s class hierarchy?
It highlights the rigid social divisions of birth, wealth, and marriage.
Which character is revealed to be secretly engaged to Jane Fairfax?
Frank Churchill
What is the misunderstanding surrounding the “riddle” Mr. Elton writes?
Emma thinks it is meant for Harriet, but it is actually directed at her (Emma).
What does Mr. Knightley’s estate, Donwell Abbey, symbolise in the novel?
Stability, tradition, and moral integrity
Give an example of dramatic irony in Emma.
The reader sees Mr. Elton’s intentions toward Emma while she misinterprets them as interest in Harriet.
What element of Austen’s narrative style was praised by Henry James as showing “high refinement”?
Her subtle use of irony and social observation
What is Mr. Knightley’s main criticism of Emma’s behaviour at Box Hill?
That she insulted and humiliated Miss Bates
Which moment prompts Emma’s recognition of her feelings for Mr. Knightley?
When Harriet confesses she loves Mr. Knightley
How does Austen explore the tension between individual desire and social duty?
Characters struggle between marrying for love versus class expectations (e.g., Emma/Harriet, Knightley/Emma, Jane/Frank)
How does Austen’s use of irony challenge the reader to form an independent judgement of Emma?
Irony exposes Emma’s flaws, making readers question her reliability and reflect critically on her choices.
How might a feminist critic interpret Emma’s position as a wealthy, independent woman?
As a challenge to patriarchal norms, since Emma has autonomy without needing marriage for financial security