Emma

by Jane Austen · 1815

Emma Woodhouse is a handsome, clever, and rich young woman in 19th-century England who believes she is an excellent matchmaker. Perfectly content with her own life and seeing no need for marriage, she delights in interfering in the romantic lives of others. However, her attempts to arrange matches for her protégé, Harriet Smith, lead to romantic misadventures and misunderstandings. As her carefully laid plans unravel, Emma must confront the consequences of her meddling and eventually realizes her own feelings for her friend and neighbor, Mr. George Knightley. This sparkling comedy of manners explores themes of social status, class distinctions, and the difference between social standing and true character.