What are the clearest themes of the book and how does the author present them?

Two of
the key themes thatexplores in are the importance of personal integrity
and the harmful effects of meddling. Emma begins as an adolescent girl who is stuck in childhood
but imagines herself having the wisdom of an adult. She is so careless in her search for
entertainment that she gratuitously hurts her friends and so confident of the correctness of her
positions that she wreaks havoc in other peoples lives with her interference. A subsidiary theme
is that a person must learn from their own mistakes rather than from what others tell
them.

Emma is caught up in romantic fantasies and mistakes Frank Churchills
attention for genuine interest in her. She allows herself not only to be flattered by his
attention but adopts his carelessly cruel attitude, which results in hurting Miss Batess
feelings. She wants to be the center of attention, taking for granted her elite status, but
without the responsibility of good behavior.

Emmas matchmaking ideas for
Harriet Smith similarly show her stuck in childhood, as she pushes Harriet toward what she sees
as a good match for her. Disregarding Harriets feelings, Emma almost destroys her friends
possibility for a loving marriage. Fortunately, as she realizes that her respect for Mr.
Knightley is actually love, the pain she suffers when he chastises her opens her eyes to the
consequences of her behavior, and she turns over a new leaf.