She is described in the novel's opening sentence as "handsome, clever, and rich, with a comfortable home and a happy disposition... and had lived nearly twenty-one years in the world with very little to distress or vex her."

Intelligent and self-assured, Emma takes after her deceased mother, possessing a sharper mind than either her father or sister, yet lacking the discipline to practise or study anything in depth.

While she is compassionate to the poor and an active member of society, her strong sense of class status leads her to be prejudiced in regards to the "upwardly mobile" families of Highbury, such as the Martins or Coles, whom she believes ought not to be equated with the gentry in terms of social standing.

While she is capable of being extremely affectionate, patient and devoted to those she holds dear, Emma often behaves in a frivolous or selfish way, and shows a lack of consideration for her friends and neighbours.

She carelessly manipulates the life of her friend Harriet Smith, neglects her acquaintance Jane Fairfax, and insults the poor and dependent Miss Bates.

Although he is mostly rational, he can also act more impulsively in relation to Emma, such as making a sudden visit to London and returning in an equally unexpected manner to propose to her.

Harriet Smith is an illegitimate and poor pupil at the local boarding school, of whom Emma takes notice after she loses the companionship of Mrs Weston when her former governess marries.

With his elder daughter Isabella married to Mr Knightley's lawyer brother John and living in London, Emma has taken it upon herself to remain at Hartfield and take care of her father.

Mrs Weston initially wished for a match between Emma and Frank Churchill (who is her stepson), and foresaw a potential attachment between George Knightley and Jane Fairfax; she ends up surprised by, yet delighted with, the ultimate outcome.