Emma (Seasons Edition -- Spring) characters

Appears from the start

A wealthy, clever young woman who manages Hartfield and keeps her anxious father company. Certain that she understands other people's feelings, she takes pride in having encouraged her former governess's marriage and decides that matchmaking may be her particular talent. Her social position protects her from many consequences of being mistaken.

Appears from the start

Emma's affectionate, wealthy, and chronically worried father. He dislikes change, travel, rich food, marriage, and almost anything that might inconvenience or endanger the people he loves. His attachment to Emma helps keep her at Hartfield and shapes the practical choices available to her.

Also known as Miss Taylor

Appears from the start

Emma's former governess and closest adult companion, newly married to Mr. Weston. Warm, sensible, and genuinely fond of Emma, she has moved from Hartfield to nearby Randalls without surrendering her concern for the Woodhouses.

Appears from the start

The master of Donwell Abbey and an old family friend of the Woodhouses. Direct, observant, and independent enough to disagree with Emma, he treats her warmly but refuses to flatter her. He is also the elder brother of the man married to Emma's sister Isabella.

First appears in chapter 2

Mrs. Weston's sociable and good-natured husband, a widower who has made his fortune in trade and bought Randalls. He speaks proudly of his son Frank, who was raised by wealthy relations, and hopes to bring him at last into the Highbury circle.

First appears in chapter 3

A pretty, friendly pupil at Mrs. Goddard's school whose parentage is unknown. Flattered by Emma's attention and unsure of her own judgment, she quickly accepts Emma as a guide to taste, society, and romance.

First appears in chapter 3

Highbury's young clergyman, polished in manner and attentive to Hartfield. Emma regards him as socially suitable for Harriet and begins interpreting his compliments and frequent visits as evidence that her plan is succeeding.

First appears in chapter 3

A kind but talkative unmarried woman of limited means who lives with her elderly mother. She fills conversations with local news and praise of her accomplished niece Jane Fairfax, and is welcomed throughout Highbury despite her reduced circumstances.

First appears in chapter 4

A respectable young tenant farmer at Abbey-Mill Farm. He is practical, intelligent, and sincerely attached to Harriet, whose friends at the farm have treated her with familial warmth.

First appears in chapter 11

Emma's elder sister, settled in London with her husband and children. Gentle and affectionate, she shares their father's nervous concern for health but is happy in her family life and devoted to Hartfield.

First appears in chapter 11

Isabella's husband and Mr. Knightley's younger brother, a busy London lawyer. He is intelligent, practical, and sometimes abrupt, particularly when Mr. Woodhouse's anxieties complicate ordinary family arrangements.

First appears in chapter 19

Miss Bates's orphaned niece, carefully educated by family friends and newly returned to Highbury. Beautiful, reserved, and highly accomplished in music, she faces the prospect of becoming a governess because she has little money of her own.

First appears in chapter 20

Mr. Weston's son from his first marriage, raised by the wealthy Churchills and now making a long-awaited visit to Highbury. Charming, lively, and eager to please, he immediately becomes an object of curiosity in a community that has discussed him for years.

Also known as Augusta Hawkins

First appears in chapter 32

Mr. Elton's new wife, a wealthy and self-assured young woman from Bath. On entering Highbury society she speaks freely of her money, her influential relations, and her intention to organize the lives of new acquaintances.