Who does Mr. Elton marry?

Mr. Elton marries Augusta Hawkins, a rich young woman he meets in Bath. She is vain and talkative, and becomes Mrs. Elton.

Did Mr. Elton propose to Emma?

Yes. Emma thought he liked Harriet, but he proposed to Emma in a carriage, and she refused him.

Why did Mr. Elton snub Harriet at the ball?

He and his new wife are unkind to Harriet because she was once linked to his hopes of marrying Emma. Mr. Knightley steps in to dance with her.

From Emma

Mr. Elton

The village vicar • Full of his own importance

Highbury’s handsome young vicar, who thinks very highly of himself.

Who is Mr. Elton?

Mr. Elton is Highbury’s handsome young vicar, who wears a neat black coat and pays lots of flowery compliments. Emma is sure he is falling for her friend Harriet, so she helps him at every turn, but he cares mostly about money and his own importance and has someone else in mind. Later he brings home a very boastful bride.

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

What is Mr. Elton like?

vain
proud
showy

Mr. Elton’s story

Mr. Elton is the young, handsome vicar of Highbury and is eager to marry well. Emma decides he would suit Harriet and encourages the friendship. Mr. Elton plays along, praising Harriet’s portrait and writing a riddle, but he is really admiring Emma and her fortune, not Harriet.

On the way home from a Christmas party, Mr. Elton declares his love to Emma in a carriage. Emma is shocked, and she realizes she has misread everything. He is offended that she thought he would look so low as Harriet, and soon goes off to Bath.

He comes back with a new wife, Augusta Hawkins, who is rich and very pleased with herself. The Eltons become unkind to Harriet. At the ball Mr. Elton snubs Harriet in front of everyone, until Mr. Knightley asks her to dance.

“Mr. Elton was the very person fixed on by Emma for driving the young farmer out of Harriet’s head.”

Jane Austen, the narrator, when Emma plans Harriet’s match. From the original 1815 novel by Jane Austen.

A moment to remember

Mr. Elton brings Emma a clever riddle written for a lady he admires, and Emma is certain it is meant for Harriet.

Emma Woodhouse: the lady he hoped to marry
Harriet Smith: a girl he snubs
Mr. Knightley: a neighbor who disapproves of him
Mr. Woodhouse: a dinner guest at Hartfield

Talk about it

Mr. Elton was polite on the outside but unkind at the ball. What do you think makes someone truly kind?

Questions about Mr. Elton

Who does Mr. Elton marry?: Mr. Elton marries Augusta Hawkins, a rich young woman he meets in Bath. She is vain and talkative, and becomes Mrs. Elton.
Did Mr. Elton propose to Emma?: Yes. Emma thought he liked Harriet, but he proposed to Emma in a carriage, and she refused him.
Why did Mr. Elton snub Harriet at the ball?: He and his new wife are unkind to Harriet because she was once linked to his hopes of marrying Emma. Mr. Knightley steps in to dance with her.