Favorite Jane Austen Scene by Laura Hile

This year marks a remarkable milestone: 250 years since the birth of Jane Austen. A quarter of a millennium later, her world feels as vivid, witty, and emotionally true as ever. Austen’s brilliance—her razor-sharp insight, unforgettable characters, and quietly subversive storytelling—continues to captivate readers across generations.

But Austen's impact stretches far beyond her famous six novels. Her influence has inspired a galaxy of adaptations, modern retellings, and literary homages that spill across books, films, and even walking tours through the English countryside. Her legacy isn’t just preserved—it’s alive and evolving.

So, what is it about Austen that still holds us in her orbit?

To find out, I’ve asked some of my favorite Austen writers, readers, and scholars to share the moments in her work that continue to sparkle, zing, or stay with them. This month, I’m thrilled to welcome the wonderful Laura Hile, one of my favorite Austenesque authors, who takes us into a cherished scene from Emma—and explains why it resonates with her.

Illustration by Chris Hammond in the 1898 edition of Emma

By Laura Hile

How we love a heartfelt proposal! We sigh over our favorite Austen heroes as they declare their love.

And then there are the other sort of proposals, those that are comically cringeworthy. We “love to hate” those with equal fervor. (Here’s looking at you, Mr. Collins!)

One of my favorite Jane Austen scenes comes from the ending of Emma. It is a masterfully constructed dance of concealment and revelation. I can read it again and again with enjoyment.

At this point in the story, we readers know that matchmaking Emma is in anguish. She has mistaken her own heart, and now her beloved Mr. Knightley is about to confide a secret. She can guess what he will say. Harriet has confessed her feelings for him and is confident that he returns her love. Now Emma dreads hearing the truth of this from him.

Dear Jane Austen, as a storyteller, she knows what she is about. We devour the scene, turning pages as fast as we can, scarcely daring to breathe.

But what Mr. Knightley confesses to Emma is a complete surprise, both to her and to us. A proposal? Wait, what? He wishes to marry Emma and not Harriet?

And such a proposal! Mr. Knightley’s words have captured generations of reading hearts—including mine.

What is it about his declaration that we love so much?

Earnestness and Vulnerability

For any man, a proposal is a ticklish undertaking. Courage and humility walk the tightrope together, sometimes with questionable results. We readers snicker as Mr. Collins presents a pompous offer of marriage to Elizabeth, and when she refuses, we cheer.

But there is no “humblebrag” in Mr. Knightley’s proposal. He stumbles over words as he speaks, but what he says is from the heart. When he tells her, “I cannot make speeches, Emma,” we believe him.

And then there is the classic line that is as eloquent as anything Captain Wentworth might pen: “If I loved you less, I might be able to talk about it more.”

Those of us who have lived with a quiet, thinking man recognize the truth of this statement. Mr. Knightley’s raw and honest confession serves to enhance his declaration.

Hesitation and Modesty

Having begun, Mr. Knightley plows ahead. “I have gone too far already for concealment,” he confesses. This betrays anxiety and fear, for he knows that voicing his feelings will affect their friendship.

He has much to offer Emma, as does Jane Austen’s Mr. Darcy. But unlike Mr. Darcy, Mr. Knightley does not expect a favorable answer—and we love him for that. “Tell me, then,” he says, “have I no chance of ever succeeding?”

This is not a ploy to engage her sympathy. He means it. He will accept her "No" if she gives it.

Directness and Mutual Respect

Another surprise is that Mr. Knightley openly acknowledges his faults—and hers. He has “blamed” and “lectured” her, yet he admires her resilience in accepting his critiques. “You have borne it as no other woman in England would have borne it,” he tells her. His love for her is backed by strong friendship and understanding. This is the sort of love that will stand the test of time.

“My dearest Emma,” says he, “for dearest you will always be, whatever the event of this hour’s conversation, my dearest, most beloved Emma—tell me at once. Say ‘No,’ if it is to be said.”

Lovers of Pride and Prejudice will doubtless compare this statement to Mr. Collins’s refusal to accept Elizabeth’s polite and heartfelt "No."

George Knightley is no Mr. Collins, and we love him for it. There are good men in the world.

We are left to wonder whether this proposal is one that Jane Austen herself might have longed to hear. But because it is fictional, we are able to enjoy it again and again.

Laura Hile, author

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Laura Hile grew up reading fairy tales and her grandmother’s musty Victorian books, but it took the Internet to tempt her into writing and posting stories of her own. Her Jane Austen-inspired Regency novels offer a happy escape from the modern world.

Laura lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and a collection of antique clocks. Her fiction is for everyone, even teens. She is currently writing a new body-swap Regency romp, Elizabeth By Any Other Name, scheduled for publication in autumn 2025.

Connect with Laura via her social media, website, Laura Hile Audiobooks YouTube channel, Website, and Amazon Author Page.