The major portion of this chapter serves to clarify plot elements, but through the surprise and the regrets, Emma is coming to terms more and more with herself and the world she inhabits. She copes admirably with the situation, particularly in regard to Mr. and Mrs. Weston; and the revelation about Frank and Jane is bound to go beyond her criticism of Frank and the secret engagement to some consideration of deception and scheming in general. She seems hardly aware, however, of one major development on her part. Miss Austen has very subtly been enlarging Emma's relationship to George, and at this point in the story Emma criticizes Frank by describing what she sees as perfection in a man—and does it apparently without realizing that she is describing George Knightley, who has earlier indicated what he considers as perfection in a wife. Basically Emma fits his description too.
Satire is still at work in this chapter. One should note, for instance, what Miss Austen presents about Highbury's reaction to the death of Mrs. Churchill. Individual satire resides in Emma's still unresolved relationship with Harriet, a relationship that is very soon to offer its revelations and comeuppance.
