The funny and heartwarming story of a young lady whose zeal, snobbishness and self-satisfaction lead to several errors in judgment. Emma takes Harriet Smith, a parlour boarder and unknown, under her wing and schemes for advancement through a good marriage. The attempts at finding Harriet a suitor occupy all of Emma's time. However, in the midst of the search she settles on a most unlikely union with her own constant critic: Mr. Knightly.

Jane Austen's works have claimed a renewed popularity and audience with the release of motion pictures Sense and Sensibility, Emma, and Clueless based upon Austen's classic novels. Emma was originally published in 1816.