The narrator makes it clear in the description of Mr. Knightly as "one of the few people who could see faults in Emmma Woodhouse, and the only one who ever told her of them."" This was not, the narrator continued, "particularly agreeable to Emma herself- but she tended to pay attention to Mr. Knightley's chiding only when it suited her. Emma is inclined to disregard Mr. Knightley's constructive criticism early on in the novel, dismissing it often as though he does not know what he is speaking of. However, after time has passed Emma begins to realize the truth behind Mr. Knightley's suggestions and takes his criticism to heart. Through her trip of self-understanding, Emma's character slowly transforms from one whose drive is to make matches, to one who is very concerned with helping others. Even though her attempts to help can be considered ineffective, she is well intentioned. The Emma evolution best shows her transformation from a young, nave lady, to one of good intentions, proper manner, and at last, elegance.
Austen uses Emma to follow a cause and effect methodology where all of Emma's actions affect the plot and the novel as a whole. Emma begins by attempting to further her matchmaking résumé with Harriet and Mr. Elton. This ultimately drives Mr. Elton out of Highbury and brings him back with a wife, the crude and tactless Bertha Hawkins. She serves as an exaggeration of all of Emma's bad characteristics. Emma continues to try to find Harriet matches throughout the novel and learns by experience that the one man she drove her away from would turn out to be her destined mate. Her flirtations with Frank Churchill dissuade the man that she is has concrete feelings for to confess his love for her. Her frivolity with others lives cause her many problems and she becomes very distressed and vexed, unlike she was at the commencement of the novel. Emma attempts to make several ill suited matches but in return learns to have humility and humbleness after she realizes that she is not apt to match making after all.
