How old is Mr. Knightley?

The book says he is about seven or eight and thirty, so he is around thirty-seven or thirty-eight. That makes him about sixteen years older than Emma.

Where does Mr. Knightley live?

He lives at Donwell Abbey, a large estate near Highbury. After marrying Emma, he moves into Hartfield to keep her father company.

Why does Mr. Knightley scold Emma at Box Hill?

Emma teased Miss Bates unkindly in front of everyone. Mr. Knightley tells her privately that it was cruel because Miss Bates is poor and kind.

From Emma

Mr. Knightley

Honest country gentleman • Sensible and true

A sensible, kind neighbor who is not afraid to tell Emma when she is wrong.

Who is Mr. Knightley?

Mr. Knightley is the Woodhouses’ tall, sensible neighbor from Donwell Abbey and their oldest family friend. He is honest and kind, and he is the only one who tells Emma plainly when she is being foolish. He calms Mr. Woodhouse in a snowstorm, stands up for people who are treated unfairly, and quietly hopes Emma will become her very best self.

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

What is Mr. Knightley like?

honest
kind
steady

Mr. Knightley’s story

Mr. Knightley is the owner of Donwell Abbey and is about thirty-seven or thirty-eight. His brother is married to Emma’s sister Isabella, so the two families are close, and he has known Emma since she was a child. He is the only person who corrects her openly, and sometimes they argue.

He thinks Emma is wrong to persuade Harriet to refuse Mr. Martin, and he is proved right. He is kind to Miss Bates and Jane, and he is wary of Frank Churchill. After Emma’s unkind joke at Box Hill, he tells her how much it hurt Miss Bates.

When Emma is unhappy, he comes to comfort her and then, to her surprise, says that he loves her. Because he sees how much Mr. Woodhouse needs Emma, he offers to move into Hartfield, making their marriage possible.

“If I loved you less, I might be able to talk about it more.”

Mr. Knightley, when he tells Emma he loves her. From the original 1815 novel by Jane Austen.

A moment to remember

When Harriet sits alone at the ball with no partner, Mr. Knightley, who hardly ever dances, walks straight over and asks her to dance.

Emma Woodhouse: the woman he loves
Mr. Woodhouse: his friend and future father-in-law
Harriet Smith: a young woman he kindly dances with
Miss Bates: a neighbor he defends

Talk about it

Mr. Knightley helped Harriet when she felt left out. How could you help someone who is sitting alone?

Questions about Mr. Knightley

How old is Mr. Knightley?: The book says he is about seven or eight and thirty, so he is around thirty-seven or thirty-eight. That makes him about sixteen years older than Emma.
Where does Mr. Knightley live?: He lives at Donwell Abbey, a large estate near Highbury. After marrying Emma, he moves into Hartfield to keep her father company.
Why does Mr. Knightley scold Emma at Box Hill?: Emma teased Miss Bates unkindly in front of everyone. Mr. Knightley tells her privately that it was cruel because Miss Bates is poor and kind.