Mr George Knightley is Emma’s neighbour and the owner of Donwell Abbey. He and Emma are in-laws through their siblings’ marriage and he has known her from a young age (there is a 16-year age gap) as a close family friend of high esteem. That is why we see him provide his opinion on Emma’s every move. His defining characteristics are his quick wit, his compassion for others, and appropriately-timed critiques of Emma. His critiques do not have malevolent intentions. Rather, it is because he genuinely cares for Emma that he permits himself to be blunt with his comments.
Notably, Mr Knightley is a character who is compassionate and considerate towards those lesser than him. He rents property to Mr Martin and encour- ages him to make his feelings known to Harriet. He asks about Jane and the Bates’ wellbeing, even bringing them his best grown apples. He also dances with Harriet when she is left standing alone at the ball so she can avoid embarrassment.
