Reading Jane Austen Harriet and Ellen

In this episode, we are joined by Harriet’s partner, Michael, and read chapters 46 to 50 of Emma. We talk about Emma’s emotional roller coaster, reactions to the Frank-Jane revelation, the proposal scene and Emma’s commitment to her father.
The character we discuss is Frank Churchill, and then Michael talks about the changing lifestyle of Regency gentleman. In the popular culture section, Harriet talks about three books that are modernised versions of Emma.
Things we mention:
Character discussion:
 Serene, The Piano Scene: through Jane’s eyes (11 December 2023) – and some other posts about EmmaPopular culture discussion:
Alexander McCall Smith, Emma: A modern retelling (2014)Sonali Dev, The Emma Project(2022)Audrey Bellezza and Emily Harding, Emma of 83rd Street(2023)Mäda Primavesi by Gustav KlimtCreative commons music used:
Extract from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Sonata No. 12 in F Major, ii. Adagio.Extract from Joseph Haydn, Piano Sonata No. 38. Performance by Ivan Ilić, recorded in Manchester in December, 2006. File originally from IMSLP.Extract from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Sonata No. 13 in B-Flat Major, iii. Allegretto Grazioso. File originally from Musopen.Extract from George Frideric Handel, Suite I, No. 2 in F Major, ii. Allegro. File originally from Musopen.Extract from Ludwig van Beethoven, Piano Sonata No. 28 in A major. File originally from Musopen.

In this episode, we read chapters 42 to 45 of Emma. We talk about the dropping of clues about Jane and Frank, Donwell Abbey and Mr Knightley’s arrangements for the strawberry picking, how nobody is enjoying themselves at Box Hill, and the pressures on Jane.
The character we discuss is Emma, and in the historical section Ellen talks about watering places. In the popular culture section, Harriet reflects back on the screen adaptations of Emma, considering her favourite moments from each version, and then how they dealt with some of the major characters.
Things we mention:
General and character discussion:
Richard Cronin and Dorothy McMillan [Editors], The Cambridge Edition of the Works of Jane Austen: Emma (2005)Pod and Prejudice podcastJohn Sutherland, Is Heathcliff a murderer?: Puzzles in 19th-century fiction (1996) and Who Betrays Elizabeth Bennet?: Further Puzzles in Classic Fiction (1999)‘The Thing About the Irish Car Party‘, The Thing About Austen podcast, Episode 70 Sheila Kaye-Smith and G.B. Stern, Talking of Jane Austen (1943) and More Talk of Jane Austen (1950)Historical discussion:
Dorothy L. Sayers, Have His Carcase (1932)Beau Nash (1674-1762), well-known dandy and Master of Ceremonies at Bath‘The Thing About Weymouth‘, The Thing About Austen podcast, Episode 45Arthur Ransome, Swallows and Amazons (1930)Popular culture discussion:
Adaptations:BBC, Emma (1972) – starring Doran Godwin and John CarsonMiramax, Emma (1996) – starring Gwyneth Paltrow and Jeremy NorthamITV, Emma (1996) – starring Kate Beckinsale and Mark StrongBBC, Emma (2009) – starring Romola Garai and Jonny Lee MillerWorking Title Films, Emma (2020) – starring Anya Taylor-Joy and Johnny FlynnModernisations:Paramount Pictures, Clueless (1995) – starring Alicia Silverstone and Paul RuddYouTube, Pemberley Digital, Emma Approved (2013) – starring Joanna Sotomura and Brent Bailey  For a list of music used, see this episode on our website.     

In this episode, we read chapters 37 to 41 of Emma. We talk about the parallel narratives, the ball at the Crown, Emma’s awareness of Mr Knightley, the section from Mr Knightley’s point of view and the tension between Jane and Frank.
The character we discuss is Mr Knightley, and in the historical section Ellen talks about poverty and the labouring classes. In the popular culture section, Harriet talks about the 2017 YouTube series The Emma Agenda.
Things we mention:
General and character discussion:
Pod and Prejudice podcastTea with Cassiane YouTube videos about Regency dancingSomerset MaughamHistorical discussion:
The Speenhamland systemAnthony Trollope, The Warden (1855)Robert RaikesHannah MorePopular culture discussion:
Main version considered:YouTube, Quip Modest Productions, The Emma Agenda (2017) – starring Selis Maria Vargas and Angela Wong CarboneOther referencesYouTube, Pemberley Digital, Emma Approved (2013) – starring Joanna Sotomura and Brent BaileyITV, Emma (1996) – starring Kate Beckinsale and Mark StrongWorking Title Films, Emma (2020) – starring Anya Taylor-Joy and Johnny FlynnCreative commons music used:
Extract from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Sonata No. 12 in F Major, ii. Adagio.Extract from Joseph Haydn, Piano Sonata No. 38. Performance by Ivan Ilić, recorded in Manchester in December, 2006. File originally from IMSLP.Extract from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Sonata No. 13 in B-Flat Major, iii. Allegretto Grazioso. File originally from Musopen.Extract from George Frideric Handel, Suite I, No. 2 in F Major, ii. Allegro. File originally from Musopen.Extract from Ludwig van Beethoven, Piano Sonata No. 28 in A major. File originally from Musopen.

In this episode, we read chapters 32 to 36 of Emma. We talk about the civil society of Highbury, why Jane puts up with Mrs Elton, and Emma’s dinner party.
The character we discuss is Mrs Elton, and Ellen talks about governesses. In the popular culture section, Harriet talks about the 2013 YouTube series Emma Approved .
Things we mention:
Character discussion:
Diana Birchall, In Defense of Mrs Elton (1999) John Mullan [Editor], The Oxford World’s Classics Edition of the Works of Jane Austen: Emma (2022) Mary Deforest, ‘Mrs. Elton and the Slave Trade‘ Persuasions 9, 1987Lona Manning, ‘What is Austen saying with Mrs. Elton?‘, 9 February 2023John Sutherland, Can Jane Eyre be happy? (2000)Thomas Gray, ‘Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard‘ (1751)Historical discussion:
Elizabeth Eastlake, ‘Vanity Fair and Jane Eyre‘, Quarterly Review 84, 1848Anna Jameson, The Diary of an Ennuyée (1826)William Makepeace Thackeray, Vanity Fair (1847)Maria Edgeworth, The Good French Governess (1801)Ellen Jordan, The Women’s Movement and Women’s Employment in Nineteenth Century Britain (1999)Graph showing percentages of governesses, female milliners and domestic servants in various age groups as shown in the census of 1851.Popular culture discussion:
Main version considered:YouTube, Pemberley Digital, Emma Approved (2013) – starring Joanna Sotomura and Brent BaileyOther referencesYouTube, Pemberley Digital, Lizzie Bennet Diaries (2012) – starring Ashley Clements and Daniel Vincent GordhParamount Pictures, Clueless (1995) – starring Alicia Silverstone and Paul Rudd For a list of music used, see this episode on our website.    

In this episode, we read chapters 27 to 31 of Emma. We talk about the entwined group of people who visit one another, how so many scenes read differently the second time through, Miss Bates’s monologues, Jane and the piano, reactions to the plan of having a ball, and Emma encouraging Harriet to stop thinking about Mr Elton. 
The character we discuss is Harriet Smith, and Ellen talks about illegitimacy. In the popular culture section, Harriet talks about the 1995 modernisation Clueless.

Also, we are now on Instagram, at reading_jane_austen.
Things we mention:


General discussion:
John Mullan, What Matters in Jane Austen?: Twenty Crucial Puzzles Solved (2012)Character discussion:
Edith Lank, ‘“The word was blunder”: Who was Harriet Smith’s Mother?‘ Persuasions 7, 1985: 14-15Helena Kelly, Jane Austen, the Secret Radical (2016)Historical discussion:
Max Weber (1864-1920)Claire Tomalin, Charles Dickens (2011)Christine Kenyon Jones, ‘Ambiguous Cousinship: Mansfield Park and the Mansfield Family‘ Persuasions On-line 31 (1), 2010BBC, Olivia Colman episode of Who Do You Think You Are (2018), Season 15, Episode 2Popular culture discussion:
Main version considered:Paramount Pictures, Clueless (1995) – starring Alicia Silverstone and Paul RuddOther 1990s/2000s high school films based on classic literature10 Things I Hate About You (1999), based on The Taming of the ShrewCruel Intentions(1999), based on Les Liaisons dangereusesShe’s All That (1999), based on Pygmalion / My Fair LadyO (2001), based on OthelloShe’s the Man(2006), based on Twelfth NightEasy A (2010), based on The Scarlet Letter For a list of music used, see this episode on our website.   

In this episode, we read chapters 22 to 26 of Emma. We talk about Frank’s arrival, the dinner at the Coles, and the way so much looks different in a second reading, 
The characters we discuss are Mr and Mrs Weston, including a consideration of what we know of Mrs Weston’s pregnancy. Ellen talks about social customs, including calling and dinner parties. In the popular culture section, Harriet talks about the 2020 Working Title Films adaptation of Emma.
Things we mention:
General discussion:
Richard Cronin and Dorothy McMillan [Editor], The Cambridge Edition of the Works of Jane Austen: Emma (2005)Character discussion:
Sheila Kaye-Smith and G.B. Stern, Talking of Jane Austen (1943) and More Talk of Jane Austen (1950)Historical discussion:
‘Regency Dinner Parties and Etiquette‘, The Jane Austen Centre (2011) Popular culture discussion:
Main version considered:Working Title Films, Emma (2020) – starring Anya Taylor-Joy and Johnny FlynnVideos and web pages about costumingYouTube, Bernadette Banner, ‘5 Historical Films That Got the Costumes RIGHT‘ (2020)YouTube, Karolina Żebrowska, ‘Are “Emma.” (2020) Costumes Historically Accurate? aka What Makes Good Period Drama Costumes‘ (2020)‘Emma (2020)‘, Frock Flicks (2020)Filming locations:Firle PlaceWilton HouseCreative commons music used:
Extract from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Sonata No. 12 in F Major, ii. Adagio.Extract from Joseph Haydn, Piano Sonata No. 38. Performance by Ivan Ilić, recorded in Manchester in December, 2006. File originally from IMSLP.Extract from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Sonata No. 13 in B-Flat Major, iii. Allegretto Grazioso. File originally from Musopen.Extract from George Frideric Handel, Suite I, No. 2 in F Major, ii. Allegro. File originally from Musopen.Extract from Ludwig van Beethoven, Piano Sonata No. 28 in A major. File originally from Musopen.