From their introduction in Emma, ​​Jane Austen distinguishes the characters of Frank Churchill and Mr. Knightley, with Mr. Knightley immediately described as "a sensible man" while Frank Churchill is described as "very handsome" and possessing a cheerful constitution very similar to that of his father. While there are similarities between the two, such as their polite and affectionate ways towards those they care about, they differ mainly due to their difference in being reserved. Frank is rather indifferent towards class mixing and can probably rightly be described as a "dandy" in his speech and actions. Mr. Knightley on the other hand carries out his duties in their society without overstepping the bounds of social decorum and almost always expresses 'correct' opinions with a simplicity and logic that is educational not only for Emma but also for the readers. Although both are believed to have good and charming qualities, the novel nevertheless seems to value Mr. Knightley's qualities above those of Frank and, seen through Emma's eyes, holds up Mr. Knightley as the gold standard for the ideal "English man". plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get Original Essay Frank Churchill is seen by many characters as an ideal man because of his good looks and charm. It would seem that part of this appeal comes from his ability to determine what a person will like without crossing the line into overfamiliarity. When he complimented Mrs Weston, he "advanced not a word of praise beyond what she (Emma) knew was entirely deserved" despite having only known her for a day. Even Mrs. Elton believes that "her ways are exactly what I (her) like and approve of", even though Frank's inner thoughts about her are exactly the opposite of her opinion of him. This conveys to readers that Frank is capable of charming and befriending even those he dislikes as he is able to keep his feelings of contempt hidden under a layer of polite ease. Despite these positive aspects of his personality, Frank is not always judged by the novel in a particularly positive light, especially regarding Mr. Knightley's opinion of him. At the beginning of the novel, before Frank even appears, Mr. Knightley rightly judges that he "can have no English delicacy towards the feelings of others", a statement which certainly proves true at the end of the novel when everyone discovers that he has always maintained a secret engagement with Jane Fairfax. This demonstrates a somewhat selfish quality as he is sometimes capable of putting his desires above the rules of social and moral correctness. Knightley, in contrast, is a character who might be considered Austen's ideal but not necessarily that of a modern reader, although many would certainly recognize him as the voice of reason in the novel. Readers of the novel are not the only ones who value Mr. Knightley's opinion as it is mentioned from time to time that other characters such as Mr. Martin and Mr. Elton turn to him for advice and advice. Austen puts Mr. Knightley in an excellent light while also showing readers how capable he is at handling characters with more problematic traits. Upon its introduction in the novel itself, it eases Mr. Woodhouse's grief over Miss Taylor's marriage and his kindness in giving the Bates apples from his orchard also reveals to readers signs of sensitivity towards the people of his community. Some critics say that with Knightley Austen created the image of an almost flawless "English man", fully endowed with everything.