Word games can also be intended to deceive, rather than clarify. As Mr. Knightley suspiciously observes the word games that Frank plays with Emma and Jane, he becomes convinced that it is but a cover for a much deeper game of deception and intrigue that the young man plays with the two ladies’ hearts.
Letters Quotes in Emma
The Emma quotes below all refer to the symbol of Letters. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Get the entire Emma LitChart as a printable PDF.
Letters Symbol Timeline in Emma
The timeline below shows where the symbol Letters appears in Emma. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 2
...visits and come to see him in Highbury. There is much gossip about the congratulatory letter that Frank has written to Mrs. Weston, in which he promises to finally visit.
(full context)
Chapter 7
...at Hartfield flustered and pleased; she has received a marriage proposal from Mr. Martin by letter and come to seek Emma’s advice. Emma is surprised by how well-written the letter is...
(full context)
...Mr. Martin’s amiability and goodness. Emma then proceeds to guide every sentence of Harriet’s reply letter, even as Emma insists that her assistance is unnecessary.
(full context)
Chapter 11
...Churchill, and Emma replies that the expectation of his visit has ended in nothing. Frank’s letter is praised again, and Mr. John Knightley and Isabella speculate about the relationship between Mr....
(full context)
Chapter 17
Mr. Elton sends a very formal, cold letter to Mr. Woodhouse—completely ignoring any address to Emma—announcing his departure for several weeks to Bath....
(full context)
Chapter 18
Mrs. Weston’s fears are realized as Frank Churchill fails to visit, sending another letter of excuse. Emma sympathizes with and tries to ease Mrs. Weston's disappointment.
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...can—and should—always do his duty through vigor and resolution. Mr. Knightley declares that Frank’s fancy letters are excuses from doing what is right. He finds them disgusting and anticipates that their...
(full context)
Chapter 19
...gossip about the town, mentioning the Coles, flattering Mr. Elton, and finally bringing up a letter from her niece Jane Fairfax. Orphaned at a young age, Jane lives with her guardians...
(full context)
Chapter 30
However, plans for the ball are cut short when a letter from Mrs. Churchill calls Frank home on account of her ill-health. Frank calls on Emma...
(full context)
Chapter 31
Mrs. Weston receives a letter from Frank, which Emma reads with great pleasure. A mention of Harriet in the letter...
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Chapter 34
...Knightley talks with Jane, solicitously scolding her for walking through the rain to fetch her letters. Jane blushes but insists that she enjoys her walks and values letters of friendship. Mrs....
(full context)
Chapter 35
...continues to impose her services on Jane. After failing to get her way with the letters, she insists on helping Jane attain a governess position. Jane, however, informs her that she...
(full context)
...a day of business and travel. Mr. Weston, however, happily announces that he bears a letter from Frank. The letter announces his impending visit, to the delight of Mrs. Weston, the...
(full context)
Chapter 41
...Weston about Mr. Perry’s plan to set up his carriage, referring to information from a letter she sent him. However, Mrs. Weston has no idea what he is talking about, and...
(full context)
Chapter 46
Mrs. Weston begs her to postpone judgment until Frank can explain everything by letter. She insists that Frank, too, has suffered from misunderstandings between him and Jane. Upon learning...
(full context)
Chapter 50
...will not marry until her father dies. She then informs Harriet about the situation via letter and arranges for her to stay with Isabella in London, to heal and ease the...
(full context)
Mrs. Weston forwards Frank’s letter explaining his behavior and secrecy, which was due to the restrictions of his Churchill relations....
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Jane then broke off the engagement by letter, but in the chaos of Mrs. Churchill’s death Frank misplaced his reply. Jane then returned...
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Chapter 51
...love as she is, Emma finds herself sympathetic to Frank’s own blunder-filled love story. The letter leaves her with a much-improved impression of him, and she shares it with Mr. Knightley.
(full context)
Mr. Knightley, too, softens upon reading Frank’s letter, though he still feels Frank’s flaws and his unworthiness in comparison to Jane. Mr. Knightley...
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Chapter 53
Mr. John Knightley congratulates the couple by letter; he anticipated Mr. Knightley’s engagement from his behavior in London. Emma anxiously breaks the news...
(full context)
