Explain how the relationship between Emma and Miss Taylor changes over time.

Though
formally hired as 's governess, Miss Taylor, or Mrs. Weston as she later becomes, acts as more
of an older sister towards her young charge. Among other things, this means that Miss Taylor
doesn't adequately step into the shoes of the deceased Mrs. Woodhouse. Unlike her predecessor,
discipline's not really Miss Taylor's thing. She's more of a boon companion than an authority
figure, and quickly develops an easy intimacy with Emma.

The downside of
this, of course, is that Emma loses her way a little. Without an adult authority figure to guide
her, Emma becomes quite conceited, thinking herself better than the denizens of Highbury. Miss
Taylor's friendship with Emma has had the unfortunate effect that the young lady's numerous
character flaws have gone unchallenged, greatly hindering her development as an adult. Miss
Taylor's indulgence of her charge has led to a complete role reversal in the normal
teacher-student relationship, as Mr. Knightley shrewdly observes:

You might not give Emma such a complete education as your powers would seem to promise;
but you were receiving a very good education from her...

Once Mrs. Weston (as Miss Taylor's now become) gets married and has
to leave Hartfield, Emma is understandably bereft. Not only has she lost a very close companion,
but she knows that her days of getting away with murder are well and truly numbered. Emma must
soon put away childish things and start to mature as an adult, a long overdue process that was
only further delayed by her former governess's well-meaning indulgence.