Resumo de Emma - Jane Austen

In Jane Austen?s opinion, Emma Woodhouse was so imperfect a heroine that she did not expect readers to like her. Emma?s faults, however, such as a misguided compulsion to match people up, and a stubborn refusal to believe she can be wrong, are what make her human and believable.
Emma, the beautiful 20-year old daughter of an indulgent father, is an inveterate matchmaker. After claiming credit for the marriage of her governess, she begins looking for a suitable wife for the local vicar, Mr Elton. The attractive but socially inferior Harriet Smith is, Emma decides, the right person for Mr Elton and, with this in mind, she persuades Harriet to refuse a proposal of marriage from a tenant farmer, Robert Martin.
For this interference Emma earns the criticism of a neighbouring landowner and close family friend, George Knightley. She also fails in her matchmaking efforts. Mr Elton declares his love for Emma herself much to her distress, especially when she realises how she has misled Harriet. When the dashing Frank Churchill visits the village of Highbury where Emma lives, she decides he will suit Harriet instead.
With her mind still on the matching of other people, Emma then begins to suspect that Mr Knightley has a fancy for Jane Fairfax, an accomplished young lady who is also visiting Highbury. Mr Knightley, however, assures Emma this is not so.
At a ball in Highbury, Mr Elton, who has since married a vulgar, interfering woman, snubs Harriet. Mr Knightley gallantly rescues Harriet from social embarrassment. Always aware of Mr Knightley?s worth as a person, Emma now sees him in an even more favourable light.
Seeing Harriet and Frank Churchill together the next day, Emma continues to dream of a match between them, especially as Harriet mentions she admires someone who is above her socially. Emma believes such a marriage would benefit Harriet and so encourages her friend to think it would be possible.
When Mr Knightley tells Emma he thinks there is an understanding between Frank Churchill and Jane Fairfax, Emma declares he is mistaken. Her attitude irritates Mr Knightley who is even more seriously disturbed when Emma unthinkingly offends a woman friend during a picnic party. When he rebukes her Emma is greatly upset, both by his disapproval and by the realisation that her thoughtless words have caused hurt. She visits the woman to apologise, thereby winning back Mr Knightley?s approval.
The death of Frank Churchill?s mother takes him away from Highbury, interfering with Emma?s plans to match him with Harriet. She then learns, to her astonishment, that Frank and Jane Fairfax have been secretly engaged for some time. This leads her to reproach herself for once again giving Harriet false and unjustified hope of marriage.
A greater shock is in store when Harriet reveals that she loves not Frank Churchill but Mr Knightley. Dismayed, Emma now realises that she herself loves Mr Knightley. She is unaware that he returns her feelings until, assured that she is not pining for Frank Churchill, he declares his love. Adding to the ?happy ever after? ending is the news that Harriet has met Robert Martin again and is to marry him.
As well as providing a lively and sharply observant account of people?s relationships, the novel points out the dangers of trying to manipulate people and the importance of a realistic approach to life. By using Emma Woodhouse as the focal point for these themes, Jane Austen has, despite her misgivings, created a worthy heroine. The humiliations and unhappiness Emma suffers as a result of her shortcomings, while progressing towards self-knowledge, ensure that readers can relate to her and feel sympathy for her.

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