Throughout the novel Emma by Jane Austen, many characters with moral dilemmas are introduced. A character that I find quite fascinating to analyze is Frank Churchill.

Frank Churchill is quite a character, for lack of a better phrase. When first introduced to the novel Emma, he is seen as a potential mate for her. Personally, I can see why this is rather fitting. He is a charming, wealthy man. He also comes from a decent family.

On the other side of things, he makes very poor decisions. On page 142, Emma discovers one of her first issues with Frank Churchill. Austen writes, “Emma’s very good opinion of Frank Churchill was a little shaken the following day, by hearing that he was gone off to London, merely to have his hair cut.” In my opinion, Frank Churchill lacks the values and morals that he should have. His decisions are very rash, and he is quite self focused, through the issue with his hair.

Frank’s character is used to mirror Emma’s, because he seems to be most like her in many aspects. I believe that he learns who he is through his struggles with love. He also learns that he cannot use his charm to deceive everyone. I believe that when he finally settles with Jane Fairfax, there is a type of resolve that occurs. Likewise, this is mirrored when Emma not only finds Harriet’s happy ending with Robert Martin, but when Emma finally realizes how suited she is to be with Mr. Knightley.

Honestly, I don’t think Emma would have ever settled down with Mr. Knightly, had Mr. Churchill not come into the novel. Emma needed someone who made her start questioning her own flaws. With Mr. Knightley poking fun at Emma, this was possible, but with Frank Churchill, she could actually see what her flaws looked like.