Emma and Frank Churchill
Mr. Frank Churchill, a very fashionable and lively young man, who seems the perfect companion for Emma. Both families are in hopes of the two young people getting together. Emma is excited about Frank’s arrival, and hearing his name, she enjoys the fantasy of being in love “Now, it so happened that in spite of Emma’s resolution of never marrying, there was something in the name, in the idea of Mr. Frank Churchill, which always interested her” (115). Nevertheless, it is only the fantasy of being desired and wanted, not true feelings that appeal to her.
When Frank actually arrives in Highbury, the fantasy becomes real, and Emma finds Frank’s company agreeable. In fact, the two flirt very openly with each other throughout
…show more content…
Churchill shares her thoughts in regard of Jane Fairfax, as she shares her suspicions concerning the pianoforte Jane received, with Frank. The pair even go so far as to mock Jane with witty comments “I believe I have been very rude; but really Miss Fairfax has done her hair in so odd a way” (215), each of his own motives. Finally, Emma is pleased to discover someone, other than herself, finds fault in Miss Fairfax, who “was made such a fuss with by every body!” (160). This common perception of Jane, reassures Emma’s superiority over one of the greatest threats to her social position, further exemplifying her fondness of Mr. Churchill is merely the sense of self-aggrandizement he provides her.
Later, very unlikely to her character, Emma goes so far as to claim she is in love with Frank Churchill.
‘I certainly must [be in love with Frank],’ said she. ‘This sensation of listlessness, weariness, stupidity, this disinclination to sit down and employ myself, this feeling of every thing’s being dull and insipid about the house!—I must be in love; I should be the oddest creature in the world if I were not’” (314).
Although it might seem as if Emma developed genuine feelings towards Frank, Hoffman observes that Emma’s detached sense of her own emotions, her analytical presentation of her thoughts and feelings to herself, makes herself the object of affection and not