Original Text(~250 words)
CHAPTER I Emma and Harriet had been walking together one morning, and, in Emma’s opinion, had been talking enough of Mr. Elton for that day. She could not think that Harriet’s solace or her own sins required more; and she was therefore industriously getting rid of the subject as they returned;—but it burst out again when she thought she had succeeded, and after speaking some time of what the poor must suffer in winter, and receiving no other answer than a very plaintive—“Mr. Elton is so good to the poor!” she found something else must be done. They were just approaching the house where lived Mrs. and Miss Bates. She determined to call upon them and seek safety in numbers. There was always sufficient reason for such an attention; Mrs. and Miss Bates loved to be called on, and she knew she was considered by the very few who presumed ever to see imperfection in her, as rather negligent in that respect, and as not contributing what she ought to the stock of their scanty comforts. She had had many a hint from Mr. Knightley and some from her own heart, as to her deficiency—but none were equal to counteract the persuasion of its being very disagreeable,—a waste of time—tiresome women—and all the horror of being in danger of falling in with the second-rate and third-rate of Highbury, who were calling on them for ever, and therefore she seldom went near them. But now she made the sudden resolution of...
Continue reading the full chapter
Purchase the complete book to access all chapters and support classic literature
As an Amazon Associate, we earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
Available in paperback, hardcover, and e-book formats
Summary
Emma drags Harriet to visit the talkative Miss Bates and her elderly mother, hoping to escape yet another conversation about Mr. Elton. Emma admits she's been neglecting these visits partly because she finds them tedious and partly because she might encounter Highbury's 'second-rate' residents there. The Bates women welcome them warmly despite their modest circumstances, immediately launching into chatter about Mr. Elton and then Jane Fairfax, Miss Bates's niece. Through Miss Bates's rambling monologue, Emma learns that Jane is coming to stay for three months instead of going to Ireland with her guardians, the Campbells, who are visiting their daughter Mrs. Dixon. Jane has been unwell since November, and there are hints about a Mr. Dixon who once saved Jane from drowning at Weymouth. Emma becomes suspicious about Jane's real reasons for avoiding Ireland and Mr. Dixon, sensing there might be romantic complications. Despite Miss Bates's attempts to read Jane's entire letter aloud, Emma manages to escape before being trapped in more tedious conversation. The chapter reveals Emma's class consciousness and her tendency to avoid people she considers beneath her, while also showing her sharp intuition about hidden romantic entanglements. It demonstrates how social obligations often conflict with personal comfort, and how much information can be gleaned from what people don't say as much as what they do.
That's what happens. To understand what the author is really doing—and to discuss this chapter with confidence—keep reading.
Terms to Know
social obligation
The unwritten rules about who you're supposed to visit, help, or be nice to based on your position in society. Emma knows she should visit the Bates women because they're respectable but poor, and it's what good people do.
Modern Usage:
Like feeling obligated to attend your coworker's baby shower or visit elderly relatives even when you'd rather not.
class consciousness
Being hyper-aware of social rankings and avoiding people you think are beneath you. Emma worries about running into 'second-rate and third-rate' people at the Bates house.
Modern Usage:
Like avoiding certain neighborhoods, stores, or events because you think the people there are 'not your kind.'
genteel poverty
Being from a good family but having very little money. The Bates women are respectable but struggle financially, living on 'scanty comforts.'
Modern Usage:
Like being college-educated but working retail, or having a fancy address but shopping at discount stores.
morning calls
Formal social visits made during specific hours (usually afternoon despite the name). These weren't casual drop-ins but important social duties that maintained relationships and status.
Modern Usage:
Like mandatory office socializing or neighborhood association meetings - you go to maintain your standing, not for fun.
reading between the lines
Understanding what people really mean by what they don't say directly. Emma picks up hints about Jane Fairfax's situation from Miss Bates's rambling conversation.
Modern Usage:
Like knowing your friend is having relationship problems from their vague social media posts or how they change the subject.
governess
A live-in teacher for wealthy children, usually an educated woman from a good family who had to work because she had no money. It was one of the few respectable jobs for ladies.
Modern Usage:
Like being a highly qualified nanny or private tutor - respectable work but still working for people who have more money than you.
Characters in This Chapter
Emma
protagonist
Shows her snobbery by avoiding the Bates visits and worrying about meeting 'inferior' people. Uses the visit strategically to escape Harriet's Mr. Elton obsession, revealing how she manipulates situations for her comfort.
Modern Equivalent:
The friend who only hangs out when it's convenient for her
Harriet
sidekick
Can't stop talking about Mr. Elton, even turning conversation about helping the poor into praise for him. Shows how completely infatuated she is and how it dominates her thinking.
Modern Equivalent:
The friend who makes everything about her crush
Miss Bates
comic relief
Talks nonstop and jumps between topics, sharing news about Jane Fairfax. Despite her chattiness, she's genuinely kind and grateful for visitors, highlighting Emma's coldness toward her.
Modern Equivalent:
The oversharing neighbor who corners you with family updates
Mrs. Bates
background character
Miss Bates's elderly, deaf mother who represents the genteel poor - respectable but dependent on others' charity and kindness.
Modern Equivalent:
The sweet elderly relative everyone feels obligated to visit
Jane Fairfax
mysterious figure
Though not present, she's the subject of much discussion. Her decision to avoid Ireland and the Campbells creates mystery that Emma's intuition picks up on.
Modern Equivalent:
The friend who suddenly changes plans and won't explain why
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to recognize when you're unconsciously categorizing people by their usefulness to your image and ambitions.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when you give your patience to some people but just politeness to others—track the pattern and ask what drives the difference.
You have the foundation. Now let's look closer.
Key Quotes & Analysis
"Mr. Elton is so good to the poor!"
Context: When Emma tries to discuss poverty, Harriet immediately turns it back to praising Mr. Elton
Shows how completely obsessed Harriet has become - she can't have any conversation without bringing it back to him. It's both funny and concerning how one-track her mind has become.
In Today's Words:
Even talking about serious issues, she's like 'But isn't Jake amazing?'
"tiresome women—and all the horror of being in danger of falling in with the second-rate and third-rate of Highbury"
Context: Explaining why Emma usually avoids visiting the Bates women
Reveals Emma's snobbery and class consciousness. She's more worried about her social image than being kind to people who need company.
In Today's Words:
She avoided them because they were boring and she might run into people she thought were beneath her.
"she knew she was considered by the very few who presumed ever to see imperfection in her, as rather negligent in that respect"
Context: Describing how others see Emma's failure to visit the Bates family regularly
Shows Emma knows people judge her for not doing her social duty, but she doesn't care enough to change. The phrase 'presumed to see imperfection' reveals her arrogance.
In Today's Words:
She knew that the few people brave enough to criticize her thought she was slacking on visiting them.
Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Selective Compassion
We unconsciously ration kindness and attention based on what people can do for our status or goals.
Thematic Threads
Class Consciousness
In This Chapter
Emma openly admits avoiding the Bates family partly to escape Highbury's 'second-rate' society
Development
Evolved from subtle snobbery to explicit class calculation
In Your Life:
You might catch yourself being friendlier to customers who look wealthy or educated
Social Obligation
In This Chapter
Emma forces herself to visit despite finding it tedious, trapped between duty and personal comfort
Development
Building from earlier chapters showing Emma's struggle with social expectations
In Your Life:
You probably maintain relationships that drain you because you feel you 'should'
Hidden Information
In This Chapter
Emma detects romantic secrets about Jane Fairfax through what's not said about Mr. Dixon
Development
Emma's pattern of reading between lines continues to sharpen
In Your Life:
You might notice family drama through what relatives avoid mentioning at gatherings
Emotional Efficiency
In This Chapter
Emma strategically manages her attention, staying alert for useful gossip while tuning out boring details
Development
New theme showing Emma's calculated approach to social interaction
In Your Life:
You probably give different levels of listening to different people based on their importance to you
Modern Adaptation
When Duty Calls (But You're Already Plotting Your Exit)
Following Emma's story...
Emma drags her friend Harriet to visit Mrs. Chen, an elderly neighbor who's been asking about them. Emma admits she's been avoiding these visits—Mrs. Chen talks endlessly and her apartment smells like old cooking oil. Plus, Emma might run into other tenants she considers 'beneath her' in the hallway. Mrs. Chen welcomes them warmly despite living on disability checks, immediately launching into gossip about Emma's ex-coworker Jake and then about her niece Jenny who's staying for three months instead of going to Phoenix with her foster family. Through Mrs. Chen's rambling, Emma learns Jenny's been sick since November and there are hints about some guy named Derek who 'helped her out' when she was in trouble. Emma's radar pings—she senses there's more to Jenny avoiding Phoenix and this Derek situation. While Mrs. Chen tries to read Jenny's entire text thread aloud, Emma manages to escape before getting trapped in more tedious conversation. Emma realizes she only half-listens to people she considers unimportant, yet her mind stays sharp for drama that might affect her own social circle.
The Road
The road Austen's Emma walked in 1815, modern Emma walks today. The pattern is identical: we ration emotional energy based on social usefulness, offering duty visits while planning our escape.
The Map
This chapter provides a tool for auditing your compassion. Emma can now recognize when she's being kind out of obligation versus genuine care, and notice how she gives her best attention to people who enhance her status.
Amplification
Before reading this, Emma might have felt guilty about avoiding 'tedious' people without understanding why. Now she can NAME selective compassion, PREDICT when she's calculating emotional investments, and NAVIGATE toward more authentic connections.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
Why does Emma avoid visiting the Bates women, and what does she tell herself to justify it?
analysis • surface - 2
How does Emma's behavior during the visit reveal her true feelings about social obligations versus personal preferences?
analysis • medium - 3
Where do you see this pattern of 'selective compassion' in modern workplaces, schools, or social media interactions?
application • medium - 4
If you were in Emma's position, how would you balance genuine kindness with the reality that some social interactions drain your energy?
application • deep - 5
What does Emma's treatment of the Bates women reveal about how we unconsciously rank people's worth based on what they can do for us?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Emotional Investment Portfolio
List the last 10 people you interacted with this week. Next to each name, rate how much energy and attention you gave them (1-5 scale). Then note what each person can potentially do for your goals, status, or comfort. Look for patterns in who gets your best versus who gets your leftovers.
Consider:
- •Notice if your energy investment correlates with what people can offer you
- •Consider whether duty visits feel different from chosen interactions
- •Identify people you might be overlooking who deserve genuine attention
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you realized you were treating someone poorly because they couldn't advance your interests. How did that recognition change your behavior, and what would you do differently now?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 20: Jane Fairfax's Hidden Story
In the next chapter, you'll discover past kindness creates lasting obligations and expectations, and learn we sometimes dislike people who reflect our own insecurities. These insights reveal timeless patterns that resonate in our own lives and relationships.