About the AuthorJane Austen was born on December 16, 1775 in Steventon, England. She was the seventh daughter of the rector of the parish of Steventon and lived with her family until they moved to Bath when her father retired in 1801. Her father, the Reverend George Austen, was from Kent and attended Tunbridge School before studying at Oxford. and earn his living as rector at Steventon. His mother, Cassandra Leigh Austen, was the daughter of a patrician family. Among his siblings he had only one sister, Cassandra, with whom he remained in close contact throughout his life. His brothers took up different professions: many entered the clergy, one was a banker, while several others spent time in the army. Although his family was neither noble nor wealthy, Rev. Austen took a particular interest in education, even for his daughters. Although her novels focus on courtship and marriage, Jane Austen remained single throughout her life. He died in Winchester on 8 July 1817. Jane Austen published four novels anonymously during her lifetime: Sense and Sensibility (1811), Pride and Prejudice (1813), Mansfield Park (1814), Emma (1815). Two novels, Northanger Abbey and Persuasion, were published posthumously in 1817. These novels are important for its satirical portrayal of English society and customs. Summary of Emma Jane Austen Emma is a novel of courtship. Like all of Austen's novels, it centers on the wedding plot: who will marry whom? For what reasons will they get married? Love, practicality or necessity? At the center of the story is the protagonist, Emma Woodhouse, an heiress who lives with her widowed father on their estate, Hartfield. At the beginning of the novel, Emma is a self-satisfied young woman who feels no particular need to marry, as she finds herself in the rather unique position of not needing a husband to provide her fortune. At the beginning of the novel, Emma's housekeeper, Miss Taylor, has just married Mr. Weston, a wealthy man who owns Randalls, a nearby estate. The Westons, the Woodhouses and Mr Knightley (who owns the Donwell Abbey estate) are at the top of Highbury society. Mr Weston had married before. When his previous wife died, he sent their only son (Frank Churchill) to be raised by her brother and his wife, as the now wealthy Mr Weston was unable to provide for the boy at the time. Without Miss Taylor as a companion, ... half the newspaper ... is unpopular in Highbury due to her bad manners and arrogance, but becomes good friends with Jane Fairfax. His status in society is based only on the fact that his sister married very well. He refuses to treat others with the due respect accorded them, including even Mr. Knightley. John Knightley - A tall, gentlemanly, intelligent, respectable and reserved man. Emma doesn't like him a bit for his severity and lack of patience. He is Knightley's brother and Woodhouse's son-in-law. He is married to Isabella, Emma's sister. They live in London and only come occasionally. Mr. John Knightley is given to complaints and bad tempers; his wife is submissive and entirely devoted to him. Goddard: The mistress of a boarding school where girls might be sent to get some education. His school was very renowned. One of her former students is Harriet Smith, who now assists Mrs. Goddard. Miss Bates: Daughter of Mrs. Bates, she was neither young, nor married, nor beautiful nor rich. He is a pitiful character with the worst situation. She lacks any defining traits such as intellect or intelligence, yet she was mostly happy and treated others with great goodwill..