They spend several days collecting riddles from everyone they know

It is vague enough to be meant for either woman, but the line about "thy ready wit" gives a hint the
object might be Emma. Having no such thoughts, Emma finds the riddle a compliment to Harriet, and
congratulates her.

These pages intensify Emma's self-deception. She is more than ever determined to read every act by Mr.
Elton as a growing interest in Harriet — so determined that she misinterprets and is disappointed, even
irritated, at the lack of ultimate results, though she can still draw optimistic conclusions. Her willfulness
and stratagems stand in contrast to her genuine and realistic kindness in other matters such as the poor
sick family.

In addition, Harriet's utter simplicity is exemplified; Mr. Elton's increasing gallantry and interest are made
at least ambiguous to the reader if not to Emma

Riddle and word games represent the major theme of misperception, as their hidden meaning leaves
much open for interpretation and misinterpretation. Just as Emma constantly reads romance between
the lines of various social interactions, riddles and word games serve as disguised messages of romantic
intentions. For those like Emma who possess an incomplete knowledge of others’ and their own hearts,
however, these puzzles may contribute to, as opposed to clarifying, the confusion. For instance, Emma
interprets Mr. Elton’s riddle of “courtship” as intended for Harriet, when it is in fact intended for Emma
herself, and Mr. Elton mistakenly interprets Emma’s warm reception of it as encouragement.

Mr. Woodhouse again comically reveals his tendency to impose his own sensitivity and preferences upon
others, which skew his perceptions. Ironically, although Emma corrects her father’s misperceptions, she
remains blind to her own tendency to see the world as she desires.

Cha 10

Emma has none of “the usual inducements of women to marry” because of her high position in society
and fortune. Implied is the reality of gender inequality in Austen’s era, in which women must marry to
gain financial security.

SUMMARY: When Harriet frets that Emma will become an old maid like Miss Bates, Emma scornfully
insists that the only thing she and Miss Bates could ever share in common is their singleness: Miss Bates
is silly, ignorant, gossipy, and poor. Emma insists that there is no disadvantage in being an old maid
except if you are poor, which renders celibacy contemptible to society.
Emma’s strong will and independence are unusual for a woman in her era, and in this sense she is a
remarkable heroine for gender equality. Yet her self-assurance stems from her financial security, which
reveals the social inequality: Emma’s ability to avoid marriage is dependent on her wealth.