Essay on The Character of Frank Churchill - 2047 Words

Using Chapters 23, 24 and 25 Write an Analysis of the Character of Frank Churchill Frank Churchill is one of the dominant characters in Jane Austen’s ‘Emma’ despite the fact that he is not fully introduced until chapter twenty-three. Each of the characters in ‘Emma’ play a role in delivering Austen’s personal comments on the society of that time. Mr Knightley, for example, often reflects Austen’s views of Emma’s behaviour and expresses her own opinions on social issues and through Emma she portrays the views of society. The purpose of Frank’s character is to highlight Austen’s views that people should not be judged by appearances alone and his relationship with Emma shows the consequences of being too prejudiced to judge†¦show more content†¦This is made even clearer when Mr Knightley points out that Frank should have done his duty in visiting his new step-mother months ago but Emma is determined to excuse any negligence on his part, blaming his neglect on those who have authority over him. This predisposition to like Frank makes Emma too biased to change her opinion once she has met him, which makes her dangerously susceptible to Frank’s manipulation later in the novel. An example of this is in chapter twenty-five when Frank goes to London for the day, reputedly to get his hair cut. Emma at first is disappointed that he should do something of such little importance so impulsively. However, she decides to forgive and forget despite the fact that those around her, such as Mrs Weston and Mr Knightley, believe the whole incident to be ridiculous and the actions of a man who thinks too rashly and without rational thought. The real reason Emma dismisses Frank’s odd behaviour is that Mr Weston tells her that Frank thinks she is beautiful and charming therefore she is ready to disagree with Mr Knightley’s comment that Frank is a â€Å"trifling, silly fellow.† However the real excuse arises from Emma’s vanity. Emma believes herself to be a good judge of character and tells herself that Frank’s attitude towards the whole incident upon his return proves that he is neither trifling nor silly since he does not â€Å"glorify in theShow MoreRelatedEmma: Frank Churchill as a Villain Essay736 Words   |  3 PagesGeorge Knightley is very good at assessing the characters of other people and so the reader is inclined to trust his judgement on Frank Churchill. Throughout the novel Frank displays some faults which would make him appear to be the villain towards the end of the novel. His behaviour towards some people has been awful, particularly in the case of Jane who he had constantly teased and tormented when he said he was in love with her. Frank Churchill is seen to be in a way the prize of HighburyRead MoreEmma And The Theme Of Encounters With Strangers1264 Words   |  6 Pagesis a novel dominated by obvious themes like romantic love, gender roles, and family. These themes structure the novel wholly, but deeper down, there are less noticeable themes that are significant in themselves. In Emma, the overlooked theme of characters’ encounters with strangers plays a critical role because of its addition to the reader’s perspectives to multiple aspects of the novel. 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As she believes in a potential engagement between Knightley and Harriet, Emma thinks, â€Å"How long had Mr. Knightley been so dear to her, as every feeling declared him now to be? When had his influence, such influence begun?–When had he succeeded to that place in her affection, which Frank Churchill