The Miss Bates

Emma and Harriet go to visit the Bates' in an effort to get the latter's mind off of Elton. In this scene it might possibly be argued that Emma is not so selfish as she appears in the rest of the book. She simply abhors hearing about Jane Fairfax for the simple reason that the girl could possibly be a better person than herself. But in hopes that Harriet will stop sighing over Elton, or that his name will somehow come up in the conversation and bring her friend pain, she intentionally brings up the Bates' niece. On the other hand, perhaps Emma is still being selfish. maybe she is sick of hearing Harriet long for the supposed companionship she had with Mr. Elton, and hopes that talk of Jane Fairfax will cure her of it for the time being.