Mrs. Elton is Mr. Elton's new wife, coming from a family of Bristol merchants; she forgets her own roots and boasts excessively about her ten-thousand-pound dowry. From the moment she arrives in Highbury, she draws attention with her crass, upstart, and tactless behavior. She constantly talks about her brother-in-law's estate, Maple Grove, and the nobility there (!). She attempts to usurp Emma Woodhouse's position as the leading lady of society and has the audacity to address Emma by her first name without warrant. Worse, she views the kind and fragile Jane Fairfax as a tool for social prestige and tries to force her into a governess position. She is a rude character lacking refinement who tries to take center stage everywhere and interjects herself into every topic.
Raised in a trading city called Bristol, she is the youngest daughter of the Hawkins family, who possessed the power of money rather than noble lineage; she stole Mr. Elton's heart (or rather, his bank account) at the baths of Bath.
Her face is by no means unattractive, and she wears very stylish and expensive clothing (lace, pearls), but according to Emma, she possesses no elegance or nobility, and has an overly casual posture.
Mr. Elton
The dear husband (caro sposo) with whom she shares her money and social arrogance.
Jane Fairfax
The victim she seeks to keep under control by forcing her to find a governess job to prove her own superiority.
Emma Woodhouse
The rival whom she tries to get close to, but secretly envies and acts bossy towards.