# Family and Belonging in Emily of New Moon

> Theme guide for Emily of New Moon by L. M. Montgomery.

Emily is taken in by her Murray relatives, and the story explores her complex relationships with them, the tension between duty and love, and her search for a true home.

## Where it surfaces

- [A Watch in the Night](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emily_of_new_moon_se/chapters/ii-a-watch-in-the-night): The chapter explores the Murray family's pride, their rejection of Douglas, and the question of where Emily will belong after her father's death.
- [A Hop Out of Kin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emily_of_new_moon_se/chapters/iii-a-hop-out-of-kin): The Murray relatives gather to decide Emily's fate, highlighting her precarious place within the family and her longing for love.
- [IV: A Family Conclave](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emily_of_new_moon_se/chapters/iv-a-family-conclave): The Murray family conclave determines Emily's future, highlighting her uncertain place among them.
- [Diamond Cut Diamond](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emily_of_new_moon_se/chapters/v-diamond-cut-diamond): The chapter centers on Emily's fate being decided by her Murray relatives, highlighting her struggle to find a place within a family that views her as a duty rather than a beloved member.
- [VI: New Moon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emily_of_new_moon_se/chapters/vi-new-moon): Emily struggles to find her place at New Moon, caught between Aunt Elizabeth's coldness and Cousin Jimmy's warmth.
- [The Book of Yesterday](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emily_of_new_moon_se/chapters/vii-the-book-of-yesterday): Emily learns about her Murray ancestors and the family burying-ground, deepening her sense of belonging to New Moon.
- [XI: Ilse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emily_of_new_moon_se/chapters/xi-ilse): Emily's punishment by Aunt Elizabeth and the kindness of Aunt Laura highlight the complex dynamics of her new family at New Moon.
- [The Tansy Patch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emily_of_new_moon_se/chapters/xii-the-tansy-patch): Emily's letters to her father show her longing for connection, while Mrs. Kent's possessive love for Teddy and Aunt Elizabeth's coldness contrast different family dynamics.
- [Fancy Fed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emily_of_new_moon_se/chapters/xiv-fancy-fed): Emily finds a sense of belonging at New Moon through her bond with Cousin Jimmy and the shared rituals, even as she clashes with Aunt Elizabeth over the kitten.
- [Father Cassidy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emily_of_new_moon_se/chapters/xviii-father-cassidy): Emily's love for New Moon and her anguish at the thought of losing its beauty underscore her deep sense of belonging to the Murray home and its traditions.
- [By Aerial Post](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emily_of_new_moon_se/chapters/xx-by-aerial-post): Emily reflects on her place among the Murrays during Christmas, feeling less like a stranger and appreciating the family traditions.
- [Romantic but Not Comfortable](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emily_of_new_moon_se/chapters/xxi-romantic-but-not-comfortable): Emily's interactions with the Murray family highlight tensions over her place and behavior; Aunt Tom's proposal ties marriage to family status.
- [Wyther Grange](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emily_of_new_moon_se/chapters/xxii-wyther-grange): The chapter explores Emily's place within her family as her aunts deliberate over the visit to Great-Aunt Nancy, highlighting the dynamics of obligation and affection.
- [A Different Kind of Happiness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emily_of_new_moon_se/chapters/xxiv-a-different-kind-of-happiness): Emily navigates her place within the Priest and Murray families, defending Aunt Elizabeth while enjoying Aunt Nancy's eccentric hospitality.
- [XXV: "She Couldn't Have Done It"](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emily_of_new_moon_se/chapters/xxv-she-couldn-t-have-done-it): The scandal disrupts the sense of family and belonging, as Emily questions how a mother could leave her baby, and reflects on Ilse's unknowing loss.
- [The Vow of Emily](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emily_of_new_moon_se/chapters/xxvii-the-vow-of-emily): Emily feels a strong sense of belonging in her mother's room at New Moon, connecting with her mother's memory and her own place in the family.
- [A Weaver of Dreams](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emily_of_new_moon_se/chapters/xxviii-a-weaver-of-dreams): Family dynamics are central: Aunt Elizabeth's authority, Uncle Wallace's intervention, and Aunt Ruth's criticism all shape Emily's sense of place and future.
- [XXIX: Sacrilege](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emily_of_new_moon_se/chapters/xxix-sacrilege): The confrontation strains Emily's place at New Moon, and she fears being sent away, highlighting the fragile nature of her belonging.
- [When the Curtain Lifted](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emily_of_new_moon_se/chapters/xxx-when-the-curtain-lifted): Emily feels a genuine bond with Aunt Elizabeth; Dr. Burnley's reconciliation with Ilse restores their family.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emily_of_new_moon_se/themes/family_and_belonging
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emily_of_new_moon_se/themes