Frank Churchill Character Analysis in Emma

Mr. Weston’s son and Mrs. Weston’s stepson. Raised by his aunt and uncle in Enscombe, Frank is anticipated as a suitor for Emma, though his real love is Jane. His lively spirit and charms render him immediately likeable, but he also reveals himself to be rather thoughtless, deceitful, and selfish. He carelessly interprets Emma’s behavior in a manner convenient to himself, and he petulantly disregards Jane’s feelings. However, like Emma, Frank possesses an improvable disposition and good understanding and ultimately desires to do what is right for those he loves.

Frank Churchill Quotes in Emma

The Emma quotes below are all either spoken by Frank Churchill or refer to Frank Churchill. 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:

Depend upon it, Emma, a sensible man would find no difficulty in it. He would feel himself in the right; and the declaration—made, of course, as a man of sense would make it, in a proper manner—would do him more good, raise him higher, fix his interest stronger with the people he depended on, than all that a line of shifts and expedients can ever do. Respect would be added to affection. . . . Respect for right conduct is felt by every body. If he would act in this sort of manner, on principle, consistently, regularly, their little minds would bend to his.

Related Characters: (speaker), ,

It had been a very happy fortnight, and forlorn must be the sinking from it into the common course of Hartfield days. To complete every other recommendation, he had almost told her that he loved her. What strength, or what constancy of affection he might be subject to, was another point; but at present she could not doubt his having a decidedly warm admiration, a conscious preference of herself; and this persuasion, joined to all the rest, made her think that she must be a little in love with him, in spite of every previous determination against it.

Related Characters: ,

The word was blunder; and as Harriet exultingly proclaimed it, there was a blush on Jane's cheek which gave it a meaning not otherwise ostensible. Mr. Knightley connected it with the dream; but how it could all be, was beyond his comprehension. How the delicacy, the discretion of his favourite could have been so lain asleep! He feared there must be some decided involvement. Disingenuousness and double dealing seemed to meet him at every turn. These letters were but the vehicle for gallantry and trick. It was a child's play, chosen to conceal a deeper game on Frank Churchill's part.

Related Characters: , , ,

Related Symbols:

I have escaped; and that I should escape, may be a matter of grateful wonder to you and myself. But this does not acquit him, Mrs. Weston; and I must say, that I think him greatly to blame. What right had he to come among us with affection and faith engaged, and with manners so very disengaged? What right had he to endeavour to please, as he certainly did—to distinguish any one young woman with persevering attention, as he certainly did—while he really belonged to another?—How could he tell what mischief he might be doing?—How could he tell that he might not be making me in love with him?—very wrong, very wrong indeed.

Related Characters: (speaker), ,

A few minutes were sufficient for making her acquainted with her own heart. A mind like hers, once opening to suspicion, made rapid progress; she touched, she admitted, she acknowledged the whole truth. Why was it so much worse that Harriet should be in love with Mr. Knightley than with Frank Churchill? Why was the evil so dreadfully increased by Harriet’s having some hope of a return? It darted through her with the speed of an arrow that Mr. Knightley must marry no one but herself!

Related Characters: , , ,

Related Literary Devices:

Frank Churchill Character Timeline in Emma

The timeline below shows where the character Frank Churchill appears in Emma. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

The village looks forward to the visit of Frank Churchill, the son of Mr. Weston’s first marriage, who is expected to visit on the... (full context)

Mr. John Knightley asks after Frank Churchill, and Emma replies that the expectation of his visit has ended in nothing. Frank’s... (full context)

Emma overhears Mr. Weston announce an upcoming visit from his son, Frank Churchill. She listens with great curiosity, as in spite of her resolution to remain celibate,... (full context)

Mr. Weston mentions to Emma that Mrs. Weston suspects that Frank’s visit will be put off once more, because his son is so dependent upon the... (full context)

Mrs. Weston’s fears are realized as Frank Churchill fails to visit, sending another letter of excuse. Emma sympathizes with and tries to... (full context)

...sentiment: a young man should not be so restricted by his guardians. He suspects that Frank could come if he liked in spite of the Churchills’ wishes, but is not because... (full context)

...sensible man 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... (full context)

Emma anticipates that Frank will be charming and to everyone’s taste. She concludes that they are both prejudiced, she... (full context)

...reserved.” Emma is also disappointed that Jane will speak little of either Mr. Dixon or Frank Churchill, the latter of whom Jane encountered at Weymouth. (full context)

...Harriet run into a cheerful Mr. and Mrs. Weston on their return, who announce that Frank Churchill is to visit the next day. Frank arrives early, and Emma meets him at... (full context)

Emma suspects that Mr. Weston watches eagerly for a developing attachment between herself and Frank, and Emma wonders if such suspicions have crossed Frank’s mind as they have hers. At... (full context)

Frank and Mrs. Weston visit Hartfield again the next day, and Emma is pleased to observe... (full context)

Mrs. Weston and Emma introduce Frank to the town. When they arrive at the Crown Inn, Frank comes up with the... (full context)

Frank discusses his visit with the Bateses, where he encountered the inescapably chatty Miss Bates. When... (full context)

...must have felt such favor to be inappropriate from a man engaged to be married. Frank at first resists Emma’s insinuations, but then accedes to her greater knowledge of Jane. (full context)

...Jane, but she has never been motivated to persevere over Jane’s reserve and establish intimacy. Frank agreeably affirms the unattractiveness of reserved persons. (full context)

In spite of the brevity of their acquaintance, Emma feels that she knows Frank very well and that they think alike. In addition, Frank surpasses her expectations by being... (full context)

Emma’s high opinion of Frank is shaken when she learns that he has dashed off to London just for a... (full context)

Frank returns with his haircut, lively and flippant about the experiences. Emma defends his behavior to... (full context)

...anticipates a pleasurable evening at the party, and is pleased with the special attention that Frank displays toward her. (full context)

...Colonel Campbell. Emma, however, suspects that it is a gift from Mr. Dixon and prods Frank into agreeably sharing her suspicion. As she talks with Frank, Emma learns more about him... (full context)

The guests call for musical entertainment, and Emma leads the piano playing with pleasure. Frank accompanies, and then Emma resigns her place to Jane, whose talent she acknowledges to be... (full context)

...“dignified seclusion,” though she feels some guilt about sharing her unfavorable suspicions towards Jane with Frank. Reflecting on Jane’s superior musical performance, Emma practices piano. As she is playing Harriet arrives... (full context)

Emma and Harriet then go to visit the Bateses, and run into Mrs. Weston and Frank in town on the way. Frank had reminded Mrs. Weston of a promise she supposedly... (full context)

Emma finds Frank fixing Mrs. Bates’s spectacles and Jane at the piano. After Frank adjusts the piano for... (full context)

Frank persists with his scheme for a ball, and Emma assists. They plan for ten couples,... (full context)

After some more debate about the technical details of the ball, Frank proposes that they get second opinions from their neighbors. He runs off to fetch Miss... (full context)

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 before he leaves, and he... (full context)

Emma misses Frank after he is gone, and she reflects on his good qualities and what she believes... (full context)

Emma continues to imagine herself in love with Frank and fantasizes various scenarios of their dalliance. However, all of them end in her rejection... (full context)

Mrs. Weston receives a letter from Frank, which Emma reads with great pleasure. A mention of Harriet in the letter makes Emma... (full context)

The conversation turns to handwriting, and Emma’s handwriting is praised. Emma in turn praises Frank’s handwriting, but Mr. Knightley counters that it is weak and womanly. (full context)

...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 agitation of... (full context)

Mr. Weston delightedly engages Mrs. Elton in conversation, chatting about his son Frank and the difficult Mrs. Churchill. Mrs. Elton proclaims herself a defender of her sex, and... (full context)

Emma anticipates Frank’s return with concern that she must disappoint his feelings. She believes her own affections have... (full context)

Frank soon departs for London again, on account of Mrs. Churchill’s illness. She has decided that... (full context)

Frank restlessly awaits the guests, and he runs out to escort Miss Bates and Jane. Mrs.... (full context)

...Knightley and her own shared understanding of the rude Eltons and the amiability of Harriet, Frank’s diminished love for her, and Harriet’s disillusionment regarding Mr. Elton. For after the episode at... (full context)

Frank arrives at Hartfield unexpectedly, with a frightened and pale Harriet on his arm. It turns... (full context)

...assured, Emma considers with some pleasure that the adventure may spark attraction between Harriet and Frank—though she resolves that she will not actively involve herself. News of the episode speeds throughout... (full context)

...the one whom she now admires is too far above her. Emma believes she means Frank, and she eagerly affirms that Harriet’s feelings are understandable, given the service he rendered her.... (full context)

Mr. Knightley begins to suspect Frank of double dealing with Emma and Jane. He knows that Emma is ostensibly the subject... (full context)

The party arrives at Hartfield, and Frank proposes a word game in which they unscramble alphabet tiles. Mr. Knightley seats himself near... (full context)

...stays behind to warn Emma, despite his concern that his interference with her affections for Frank will be unwelcome. He tells her about his suspicions regarding Frank and Jane, but she... (full context)

Mrs. Weston worries at Frank’s delay, as he is expected from Richmond. While cooling off in the house, Emma encounters... (full context)

Though the trip to Box Hill is initially dull during the walk, Frank livens up when they all sit down. Frank and Emma flirt excessively, though in Emma’s... (full context)

...praise of Emma, and Mrs. Elton and Mr. Elton huffily excuse themselves from the game. Frank observes that they are fortunate to have such a well-matched marriage, given that brief acquaintances... (full context)

Miss Bates also shares that Frank left for Richmond on Mrs. Churchill’s summons the previous evening. The contrast between Mrs. Churchill’s... (full context)

The following day, news arrives of Mrs. Churchill’s death. Emma reflects that Frank may now be freed to marry whomever he chooses—even Harriet. (full context)

...take Emma to see Mrs. Weston. At Randalls, an agitated Mrs. Weston informs Emma that Frank and Jane have been secretly engaged since Weymouth. Emma is astonished, torn between mortification at... (full context)

...Weston’s concern for her, and she reassures her that she has had no feelings for Frank for some time. However, Emma strongly disapproves of Frank’s behavior. She is angry with him... (full context)

Mrs. Weston begs her to postpone judgment until Frank can explain everything by letter. She insists that Frank, too, has suffered from misunderstandings between... (full context)

Emma’s concern for Harriet fuels her anger with Frank and herself. She regrets having again mistakenly encouraged Harriet’s affections for a man. She also... (full context)

...entirely unperturbed. Emma, surprised, soon discovers that Harriet’s interest has been in Mr. Knightley, not Frank, all along. Harriet informs Emma that but for her seeming encouragement, she would never have... (full context)

Emma is left to reflect on how very mistaken she has been about everyone: Frank, Jane, Harriet, and herself. She realizes that she has always loved Mr. Knightley; her love... (full context)

Emma reflects with remorse that her behavior with Frank must have caused Jane considerable distress. As a gloomy evening sets in, she considers what... (full context)

...air that he wants to share his feelings about Harriet, Emma directs the topic to Frank and Jane’s secret engagement. Mr. Knightley, however, already knows and has come to comfort her.... (full context)

Mr. Knightley begins that he envies Frank, and Emma cuts him short to avoid hearing about Harriet. Mr. Knightley is mortified, and... (full context)

Mrs. Weston forwards Frank’s letter explaining his behavior and secrecy, which was due to the restrictions of his Churchill... (full context)

...then broke off the engagement by letter, but in the chaos of Mrs. Churchill’s death Frank misplaced his reply. Jane then returned all of his letters and requested hers to be... (full context)

Happily in 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... (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.... (full context)

At Randalls, Emma and Frank finally get the opportunity to talk over the recent events. After some initial awkwardness, they... (full context)

Jane returns to the Campbells, where she and Frank wait for three months to pass after Mrs. Churchill’s death before their wedding in November.... (full context)

Everything you needfor every book you read.

Everything you need for every book you read.

Everything you need for every book you read.

Frank Churchill Character Analysis

Frank Churchill Quotes in Emma

Frank Churchill Character Timeline in Emma

Everything you need
for every book you read.