Emma · Character

Mr. John Knightley

Mr. Knightley's sharp-tongued younger brother, a London lawyer and Isabella's husband, who visits Highbury with his family and speaks his mind without flattery.

supporting

Also known as John Knightley, John, Mrs. John Knightley

First appearance: x

As a supporting figure in Emma, Mr. John Knightley is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

John Knightley is described as tall, clever, and reserved, with a tendency toward impatience with Mr.

In the storyXIOpen this moment free

See Mr. John Knightley in XI Book page

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

In XI: John Knightley is described as tall, clever, and reserved, with a tendency toward impatience with Mr. Woodhouse; he makes a cool…

Continue beside the text

The fuller portrait of Mr. John Knightley sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Mr. John Knightley in x

Character Web

8 connections

A slice of how Mr. John Knightley sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Secondary and Peripheral Characters
Central Highbury Society
Protagonist

+3 more in the full Character Web

Open in reader

Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

In this passage, Emma reaches the emotional peak of self-awareness by confronting the discrepancy between her…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

Follow the arc while reading

In the story

Mr. John Knightley appears across 8 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

XI
John Knightley is described as tall, clever, and reserved, with a tendency toward impatience with Mr. Woodhouse; he makes a cool observation about Mr. Weston's character.
XII
Joins the party, discusses with his brother, and shows displeasure at Mr. Perry's interference.
Chapter XIII
Grumbles about the inconvenience of dining out in bad weather; warns Emma that Mr. Elton may be in love with her.
Chapter XV
Mr. John Knightley announces the snowstorm and later shows kindness and attention to Mr. Woodhouse.
Chapter XVI
Credited by Emma for first suggesting the possibility of Mr. Elton's interest in her.
Chapter XVII
Departs Hartfield with Isabella and the children after the weather improves.
Chapter XXXV
John Knightley is silently astonished that Mr. Weston would leave his home on a cold evening to socialize, finding the behavior incomprehensible.
Chapter XXXVI
Proves more talkative than his brother, preparing to leave early the next day.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Mr. John Knightley unlock in the free preview.

See Mr. John Knightley in x

See Mr. John Knightley in XI