Who does Harriet Smith marry?

Harriet marries Robert Martin, the farmer she liked at the start of the novel. Emma had earlier talked her out of accepting him.

Who are Harriet Smith’s parents?

The book says only that she is the natural daughter of somebody, and her parentage stays a mystery for most of the story. It is revealed near the end.

Why did Emma take Harriet under her wing?

Emma found Harriet sweet and pretty and wanted a friend she could improve. Her advice to Harriet caused several heartaches along the way.

From Emma

Harriet Smith

Emma’s sweet new friend • Easily led

A sweet, simple girl from the village school who believes every word Emma says.

Who is Harriet Smith?

Harriet Smith is a sweet, pretty seventeen-year-old who becomes Emma’s close friend. She looks up to Emma and believes almost everything Emma tells her, even when it means saying no to someone she likes. Harriet gets her feelings hurt more than once, but she stays gentle and forgiving, and in the end she follows her own heart.

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

What is Harriet Smith like?

sweet
trusting
forgiving

Harriet Smith’s story

Harriet Smith is a pupil and boarder at Mrs. Goddard’s school, and nobody knows who her parents are. Emma finds her sweet and pretty and decides to make her a friend and a project. Harriet is happy to be taken up by the grand young lady from Hartfield.

At first Harriet likes Mr. Martin, a respectable young farmer, and he proposes. Emma persuades her to say no, since she hopes for a better match. Next Emma tries to match Harriet with Mr. Elton, but he is only after Emma, and Harriet is crushed when she learns the truth. At the ball he cruelly snubs her, and Mr. Knightley kindly steps in to dance with her.

Later Harriet says she loves someone who rescued her, and Emma fears she means Mr. Knightley. This is the moment Emma realizes she loves him herself. Harriet in fact meant Mr. Martin, and the book ends with the two married.

“She was a very pretty girl, and her beauty happened to be of a sort which Emma particularly admired.”

Jane Austen, the narrator, when Emma first meets her. From the original 1815 novel by Jane Austen.

A moment to remember

When Emma tearfully confesses that her plans went wrong, Harriet hugs her and tells Emma not to blame herself.

Emma Woodhouse: her friend and adviser
Mr. Elton: a man who snubs her
Mr. Knightley: the neighbor who dances with her
Miss Bates: a fellow Highbury neighbor

Talk about it

Harriet listened to Emma instead of her own feelings. Why is it important to think for yourself, even with good friends?

Questions about Harriet Smith

Who does Harriet Smith marry?: Harriet marries Robert Martin, the farmer she liked at the start of the novel. Emma had earlier talked her out of accepting him.
Who are Harriet Smith’s parents?: The book says only that she is the natural daughter of somebody, and her parentage stays a mystery for most of the story. It is revealed near the end.
Why did Emma take Harriet under her wing?: Emma found Harriet sweet and pretty and wanted a friend she could improve. Her advice to Harriet caused several heartaches along the way.