# Mrs. Elton — Emma character guide

> Mrs. Elton in Emma by Jane Austen.

**Role:** supporting

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

**First appearance:** 0022-xxi

## Who they are

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

## Relationships

### [Emma Woodhouse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/characters/emma_woodhouse)

_rivalry_

Emma and Mrs. Elton are social rivals, each vying for status and influence in Highbury society.

### [Frank Churchill](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/characters/frank_churchill)

_social_

Frank and Mrs. Elton engage in polite social banter, with Mrs. Elton trying to assert her importance over him.

### [Mr. Knightley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/characters/mr_knightley)

_rivalry_

Mr. Knightley finds Mrs. Elton vulgar and presumptuous, and they clash over social matters.

### [Mr. Elton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/characters/mr_elton)

_family_

Mr. and Mrs. Elton are a married couple, with Mrs. Elton domineering and Mr. Elton sycophantic.

### [Harriet Smith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/characters/harriet_smith)

_social_

Mrs. Elton patronizes Harriet, treating her as a social inferior and attempting to control her.

### [Emma Woodhouse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/characters/emma_woodhouse)

_rivalry_

Emma and Mrs. Elton are social rivals, each vying for status and influence in Highbury society.

### [Emma Woodhouse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/characters/emma_woodhouse)

_rivalry_

Emma and Mrs. Elton are social rivals, each vying for status and influence in Highbury society.

### [Frank Churchill](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/characters/frank_churchill)

_social_

Frank and Mrs. Elton engage in polite social banter, with Mrs. Elton trying to assert her importance over him.

### [Mr. Knightley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/characters/mr_knightley)

_rivalry_

Mr. Knightley finds Mrs. Elton vulgar and presumptuous, and they clash over social matters.

### [Mr. Elton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/characters/mr_elton)

_family_

Mr. and Mrs. Elton are a married couple, with Mrs. Elton domineering and Mr. Elton sycophantic.

### [Mr. Knightley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/characters/mr_knightley)

_rivalry_

Mr. Knightley finds Mrs. Elton vulgar and presumptuous, and they clash over social matters.

### [Frank Churchill](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/characters/frank_churchill)

_social_

Frank and Mrs. Elton engage in polite social banter, with Mrs. Elton trying to assert her importance over him.

## In the story

### [Chapter XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/chapters/xxii)

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

### [XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/chapters/xxxii)

Newly married to Mr. Elton; described as vain, conceited, and underbred, with a tendency to compare everything to Maple Grove.

### [Chapter XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/chapters/xxxiv)

Asserts herself in Highbury society, criticizes local arrangements, and plans a superior party.

### [Chapter XXXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/chapters/xxxvi)

Engages in conversation with Mr. Weston, boasting about her brother and defending her sister's refinement.

### [Chapter XXXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/chapters/xlii)

Dominates conversation about strawberries and insists Jane accept a governess position, showing her pushy nature.

### [Chapter XLIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/chapters/lii)

Behaves with ostentatious mystery, hinting at knowledge of Jane's secret and displaying her usual self-importance.

### [LIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/chapters/liii)

Expresses strong displeasure and jealousy over the engagement, criticizing the plan to live at Hartfield.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/characters/mrs_elton
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/characters