Box Hill

Emma often assumes that people below her on the social ladder do not have as highly developed a sense of feeling as she does. In her eyes, since these people have not been brought up with all the advantages she has been privy to, they do not know what feelings they ought to have. Or at least do not feel things as keenly as Emma and her equals do. Even after Harriet proves people in a lower social sphere have feelings, Emma still supposes Miss Bates has a less developed sense of feeling. After making a joke at the lady’s expense when the entire party is at Box Hill for a picnic, Emma tells Mr. Knightley, “I dare say she did not understand me” (252). Miss Bates is much below Miss Woodhouse on the social ladder. She thinks her both “good” and “ridiculous” (252). These two characteristics, along with her social status, lead Emma to believe Miss Bates to not have highly developed feelings as her equals. Miss Bates’ reaction to the insult and her constant thanks for little compliments given to her show she has just as much, if not more feeling than the people above her in society.

Starting at about 2:50, I think this clip does a very good job of showing Miss Bates' reaction to Emma's insult.