Growing Friendship

Growing Friendship
~Blog Post #2 ~
Topic C
April 24, 2015
Mary Kate Mooney

        In the next few chapters of Emma, there is a focus on the relationship between Emma and Harriet. After Miss Taylor left, Emma was desperate for a new friend, and became attached to Harriet. The two of them spend lots of time talking and getting to know each other. The two of them develop a very unique friendship that has only begun a few days prior. Harriet explains to Emma about Mr. Martin, and that he and her were good friends. However, Emma is not particularly fond of Mr. Martin. She knows that he is a farmer, and believes that he is not worthy of someone like Harriet. So, when Mr. Martin proposes to Harriet, she indirectly tells Harriet to reject the proposal. Because their friendship has grown so much, and the two of them are so close, Harriet does as she believes Emma wishes, and declines Mr. Martin's proposal. Emma immediately congratulates Harriet on making the right decision saying, "'Perfectly, perfectly right, my dearest Harriet; you are doing just what you ought,'" (Austen 49). This shocked me because of how highly Harriet had previously spoken of Mr. Martin. The two of them were friends, and in my opinion, would have been happy together. I was very surprised to see Emma do as her new friend wishes, mainly because they haven't known each other for that long. They are new friends, but this event shows how significantly their relationship has grown in such a short period of time.