I'm reading Emma by Jane Austen

[happyducky]

In the book she believes Frank Churchill to be in love with her. I can't fathom whether he actually is or Emma just thinks he is, because not shortly after he is enganged to Jane Fairfax and before Emma thinks he loves her he is eagerly awaiting Jane Fairfax's arrival. Was it all in Emma's head?

[geofbob]

Well, for a time Emma certainly thinks that Frank might be interested in her and that she might be interested in him; but later she thinks of Frank more as a suitor for Harriet, before he reveals that he has been engaged to Jane all the time. Surely, the point is that Frank is so full of himself that he behaves as something of a suitor to all the eligible young women in the book - not so very different from some modern men!. It isn't always easy to identify with the characters and conventions of Jane Austin's world; but the problem of how such factors as wealth and position influence "true love" are as relevant today as they were then. Incidentally, there are some excellent websites on Jane Austin's novels - eg for Emma see http://www.gradesaver.com/ClassicNotes/Titles/emma
/charlist.shtml

[woodpam]

Frank and Jane's engagement was originally a secret and so Frank showed Emma much public attention as a diversionary tactic. Emma's subsequent dislike of Frank stems from her realisation that she was being used as a smokescreen.