Who does Emma Woodhouse marry?

Emma marries Mr. Knightley, the neighbor and old family friend who has always told her the truth. They agree to live at Hartfield so she can stay with her father.

How old is Emma Woodhouse?

Emma is nearly twenty-one when the novel begins. The book says she has lived nearly twenty-one years with very little to distress or vex her.

Why is Emma Woodhouse always matchmaking?

After her governess marries, Emma takes credit for the match and feels sure she has a gift for it. Her confidence leads her to misjudge people, and the book is about how she learns better.

From Emma

Emma Woodhouse

Mistress of Hartfield • Clever and headstrong

A clever, lively young lady who thinks she knows what is best for everyone’s heart.

Who is Emma Woodhouse?

Emma Woodhouse is a clever, lively young woman who lives at Hartfield with her worried father. After her old governess marries, Emma decides she is a wonderful matchmaker and starts planning who her friends should marry, but her plans keep going wrong. Along the way she learns hard lessons about pride and kindness, and she discovers where her own heart truly belongs.

Emma Woodhouse is a character in Emma, the 1815 novel by Jane Austen, retold for ages 6–9 by Sean Lee.

What is Emma Woodhouse like?

clever
confident
caring

Emma Woodhouse’s story

Emma is nearly twenty-one when the book begins, the cleverest and richest young woman in the village of Highbury. Her governess, Miss Taylor, has just married Mr. Weston, and Emma takes the credit for the match. Feeling very pleased with herself, she decides to arrange more romances, starting with her new friend Harriet Smith.

Her plans go wrong again and again. She talks Harriet out of marrying a kind farmer, Mr. Martin, and wrongly believes Mr. Elton loves Harriet when he actually wants Emma. She also guesses wrongly about Frank Churchill and Jane Fairfax. Her worst moment comes at Box Hill, where she makes a thoughtless joke about Miss Bates. Mr. Knightley tells her plainly that it was cruel, and Emma is truly ashamed.

Emma learns from her mistakes. She makes peace with Miss Bates, looks after her father with patience and finally understands her own heart. She marries Mr. Knightley, on the condition that they live at Hartfield so her father is never left alone.

“Emma Woodhouse, handsome, clever, and rich, with a comfortable home and happy disposition, seemed to unite some of the best blessings of existence”

Jane Austen, the narrator, in the opening lines of the novel. From the original 1815 novel by Jane Austen.

A moment to remember

After an unkind joke at the Box Hill picnic, Emma visits Miss Bates the very next morning, listens to all her stories and holds her hands to show she is sorry.

Mr. Knightley: neighbor, family friend and future husband
Mr. Woodhouse: her father
Harriet Smith: her friend and protégée
Miss Bates: a neighbor she once insulted

Talk about it

Emma made mistakes but worked hard to make things right. What can you do to fix things after you hurt someone’s feelings?

Questions about Emma Woodhouse

Who does Emma Woodhouse marry?: Emma marries Mr. Knightley, the neighbor and old family friend who has always told her the truth. They agree to live at Hartfield so she can stay with her father.
How old is Emma Woodhouse?: Emma is nearly twenty-one when the novel begins. The book says she has lived nearly twenty-one years with very little to distress or vex her.
Why is Emma Woodhouse always matchmaking?: After her governess marries, Emma takes credit for the match and feels sure she has a gift for it. Her confidence leads her to misjudge people, and the book is about how she learns better.