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Emma Respect and Reputation Quotes

How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #7

[…] to be the favourite and intimate of a man who had so many intimates and confidantes, was not the very first distinction in the scale of vanity. […] General benevolence, but not general friendship, made a man what he ought to be. (38.3)

Social discrimination is as important as sociality. Mr. Weston’s willingness to be too hospitable creates an interesting counterpart to Mr. Woodhouse’s hesitation to ever leave his own home.

Quote #8

But, Miss Smith, indeed!—Oh! Miss Woodhouse! who can think of Miss Smith, when Miss Woodhouse is near! (15.32)

Mr. Elton taps into a common thread of Emma’s assessment of her own value.

Quote #9

Birth, abilities, and education, had been equally marking one as an associate for her, to be received with gratitude; and the other—what was she? (48.17)

Austen fundamentally values social equality, as we see with Emma’s re-evaluation of her friendship with Harriet.