Emma · Character

Mrs. Elton

A brisk, self-congratulating bride from Bath who arrives in Highbury determined to be its reigning lady and never lets anyone forget Maple Grove.

supporting

Also known as Augusta Hawkins, Miss Hawkins, A Miss Hawkins of Bath

First appearance: xxi

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

Augusta Hawkins is described as having a modest fortune and background, with no superior name or blood.

In the storyChapter XXIIOpen this moment free

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With Emma Woodhouse (rivalry): Emma and Mrs. Elton are social rivals, each vying for status and influence in Highbury society. With Frank Churchill (social): Frank and Mrs. Elton engage in polite social banter, with…

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See Mrs. Elton in xxi

Character Web

28 connections

A slice of how Mrs. Elton sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Rivalry
Other

Character groups

Central Highbury Society
Secondary and Peripheral Characters
Protagonist

+23 more in the full Character Web

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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…

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Relationships

Emma Woodhouse
rivalry · negative
Frank Churchill
social · ambivalent
Mr. Knightley
rivalry · negative
Mr. Elton
family · ambivalent
Harriet Smith
social · negative
Emma Woodhouse
rivalry · negative
Emma Woodhouse
rivalry · negative
Frank Churchill
social · ambivalent
Mr. Knightley
rivalry · negative
Mr. Elton
family · ambivalent
Mr. Knightley
rivalry · negative
Frank Churchill
social · ambivalent

Emma Woodhouse
Emma and Mrs. Elton are social rivals, each vying for status and influence in Highbury society.
Frank Churchill
Frank and Mrs. Elton engage in polite social banter, with Mrs. Elton trying to assert her importance over him.
Mr. Knightley
Mr. Knightley finds Mrs. Elton vulgar and presumptuous, and they clash over social matters.
Mr. Elton
Mr. and Mrs. Elton are a married couple, with Mrs. Elton domineering and Mr. Elton sycophantic.
Harriet Smith
Mrs. Elton patronizes Harriet, treating her as a social inferior and attempting to control her.
Emma Woodhouse
Emma and Mrs. Elton are social rivals, each vying for status and influence in Highbury society.
Emma Woodhouse
Emma and Mrs. Elton are social rivals, each vying for status and influence in Highbury society.
Frank Churchill
Frank and Mrs. Elton engage in polite social banter, with Mrs. Elton trying to assert her importance over him.
Mr. Knightley
Mr. Knightley finds Mrs. Elton vulgar and presumptuous, and they clash over social matters.
Mr. Elton
Mr. and Mrs. Elton are a married couple, with Mrs. Elton domineering and Mr. Elton sycophantic.
Mr. Knightley
Mr. Knightley finds Mrs. Elton vulgar and presumptuous, and they clash over social matters.
Frank Churchill
Frank and Mrs. Elton engage in polite social banter, with Mrs. Elton trying to assert her importance over him.

Relationship notes

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See Mrs. Elton in xxi

In the story

Mrs. Elton appears across 11 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter XXII
Augusta Hawkins is described as having a modest fortune and background, with no superior name or blood.
XXXII
Newly married to Mr. Elton; described as vain, conceited, and underbred, with a tendency to compare everything to Maple Grove.
Chapter XXXIII
Mrs. Elton is self-important and presuming; she grows cold toward Emma and takes a patronizing interest in Jane Fairfax, offering to introduce and assist her.
Chapter XXXIV
Asserts herself in Highbury society, criticizes local arrangements, and plans a superior party.
Chapter XXXV
Mrs. Elton dominates the conversation, pressing Jane about a governess position, boasting of her connections, and later flattering Mr. Woodhouse. She is oblivious to Jane's discomfort.
Chapter XXXVI
Engages in conversation with Mr. Weston, boasting about her brother and defending her sister's refinement.
Chapter XXXVIII
Mrs. Elton arrives at the ball, praises Frank Churchill to Mr. Weston, and takes charge of receiving Miss Bates and Jane Fairfax.
Chapter XLII
Dominates conversation about strawberries and insists Jane accept a governess position, showing her pushy nature.
Chapter XLIV
Hosted the evening party where Jane announced her decision; insisted on the Bates family coming and tried to secure Mr. Knightley's attendance.
LII
Behaves with ostentatious mystery, hinting at knowledge of Jane's secret and displaying her usual self-importance.
LIII
Expresses strong displeasure and jealousy over the engagement, criticizing the plan to live at Hartfield.

Chapter companion notes

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See Mrs. Elton in xxi

See Mrs. Elton in Chapter XXII