Mr Woodhouse's age

You've read the book more recently, but he could be in his late forties at a pinch. He has been in the same house for at least forty years. He could have been eating from it when he was 5, and too young to join the grown ups. Theoretically he could have fathered two daughters in his twenties. Late fifties sounds fine.

Back to an earlier point: Mrs Weston was governess to Emma and her sister and is kept on as companion. I seem to remember that it is implied she was such a soft touch as a governess that Emma has little self discipline. And that's why Emma and she got on so well.

It is odd that Mrs Weston seems to have hardly any individuality. Jane was so good at character that must be deliberate.

This is an interesting thread - makes me want to re-read Emma yet again, so I just peeped into it and in the opening paragraphs it says about Mr Woodhouse's age -

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She dearly loved her father, but he was no companion for her. He could not meet her in conversation, rational or playful.

The evil of the actual disparity in their ages (and Mr. Woodhouse had not married early) was much increased by his constitution and habits; for having been a valetudinarian all his life, without activity of mind or body, he was a much older man in ways than in years; and though everywhere beloved for the friendliness of his heart and his amiable temper, his talents could not have recommended him at any time.

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So if Emma's 21 and Mr Woodhouse married somewhat late, he'd be in his late fifties or early sixties, oh I forgot the older sister - sixties then. Count me among those who find him self-centred! I think it's a necessary part of being a valetudinarian. Objecting to people getting married because he will be inconvenienced by the change, his complete blindness to what his guests might prefer rather than what he thinks is good for them - but then there's this quote from Emma -

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"There is no charm equal to tenderness of heart," said she afterwards to herself. "There is nothing to be compared to it. Warmth and tenderness of heart, with an affectionate, open manner, will beat all the clearness of head in the world, for attraction, I am sure it will. It is tenderness of heart which makes my dear father so generally beloved—which gives Isabella all her popularity.—I have it not—but I know how to prize and respect it.—

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I think Emma is being quite insightful and self-aware for once, and she may have something here, which I who also "have it not" am completely missing.

Thank you, mona. Mind you "not married early" could mean late 30s, Isabella has a number of children, and is in her late 20s at the earliest. So mid 60s for her father?

Incidentally, there is nothing there about him marrying twice or Emma and Isabella being half sisters. How come Emma is so well off is she is the younger daughter?

I think Emma is being charitable and making the best of the situation.

Whenever there is a social event, a ball or an outing for instance, that Mr Woodhouse does not want to go to, some other person, either Mrs Weston or Mrs Bates, is detailed to keep him company. It is possible that Mrs Bates or Mrs Weston might prefer to be at the event. In the case of Mrs Bates it is probably a price worth paying. Half a hind quarters of pork every now and then are worth having. Besides, these social events are very important to her her granddaughter, Jane. Having married a wealthy man, Mrs Weston need not take these mercurial considerations into account, but she keeps him company anyway. I quite like that Mr Woodhouse likes the company of women, even older women, when his daughter is away.

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Originally Posted by JonathanB

kev - Big apologies for giving a spoiler on the plot. Mind you, I rather think the plot of Emma, after Mr Elton has proposed, is not that clear when read the first time around!

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I suppose Jane and Frank must have been having sex, or why the HUGE deal about their secret engagement when it came to light? Only I don't see how they would have had much opportunity, at Highbury at least.