Poor Harriet.

Can you imagine being told not once, but twice the man you admire is in love with another woman?  Take it one step further … that woman is your best friend.  Poor Harriet!  Emma encourages Harriet’s feelings for both of these men and later discovers that both Elton and Knightley are in love with not Harriet, but her.  Harriet allows herself to be guided by Emma.  She trusts her judgment, her decisions and allows her to become her dearest friend.  Emma’s behavior after her discovery of each man’s love, is horrifying.  She is afraid to approach this woman who has literally “put all her eggs in one basket” and has trusted Emma’s judgement.  Emma only discovers her love for Mr. Knightley after Harriet has revealed her own desires for Mr. Knightly.  How messed up is that?  When Emma finds that Mr. Knightley’s love is reciprocated, she immediately accepts proposal and is too nervous to tell Harriet (her best friend) of the news.  Emma goes as far as sending Harriet to London to avoid her presence.  When Emma comes to find that Harriet is to be married to Mr. Martin, shes relieved (not happy for her friend) that she has found a partner is marriage.  Emma finally reveals to Mr. Knightley Harriet’s affections for him.  Emma chooses to accept Harriets fiance, Mr. Martin, to Hartfield, although he is socially not “up to Emma’s standards.”  Emma realizes her relationship with Harriet must “change into a calmer sort of good will,” because she has chosen to marry beneath Emma’s social class.  After all Emma has done to mess up Harriet’s life, from telling her to refuse Mr. Martin, to falling in love with Harriet’s ‘infatuation’, she can’t even be friends with her anymore!?  Poor Harriet!  Boo Emma!