Second Volume of Emma

As I approach the middle and almost the end of the novel, I start to make more connections of whom is with whom and what each character’s role is exactly in the story and towards Emma. It is evident that Emma makes a few mistakes by continuing her matchmaking business, even though she is many times proven to be wrong, such as when Mr. Elton ends up marrying Ms. Hawkins. It is a bit ridiculous that Emma continues her falsehood matchmaking business even though she is proven to be wrong numerous times. Moreover, it is strange to me that Mr. Knightley is throwing out random signs of having affection for Jane, such as by sending her apples, but at the same time he denies any feelings towards her when Emma confronts him about it. What is he up to?  Why is he acting like this? I do not understand. Maybe he is trying to make Emma jealous in order to find out if she has any feelings for him or maybe he is just plain out bored and trying to find something to entertain himself with. Who knows. Furthermore, the way that Mrs. Elton tries to change Jane Fairfax can parallel the same way that Emma was earlier trying to change Harriet. It is ironic that Emma judges Mrs. Elton in a negative way even though she herself acts the same way towards Harriet. One would think that Emma and Mrs. Elton should become best friends based on their interests and personalities but I guess in this case it is the opposite. What is the purpose of the author for doing this? What is Austen trying to reveal here? What significance does Mrs. Elton have to this novel and what does she represent? All these unanswered questions yet again haunt me as I approach the end of this novel. I hope more of the facts and clues tie up in order to reveal and help emphasize the big “so what” of this novel. Does Austen have another idea playing here besides the fact that Emma’s stubbornness and stupidity cause her pain and pain to others as well? The change in Emma is present as she begins to notice how badly Mrs. Elton treats Jane and when Emma herself sees that Harriet has a heart, which is more valuable than anything, and on the contrary Emma is cold-hearted. But if Mr. Knightley does have feelings for Emma, what does he see in her?