By Harriet and Ellen
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The podcast currently has 46 episodes available.
In this episode, we finish up Emma with chapters 51 to 55. We talk about the decision for Mr Knightley to move to Hartfield, the resolution of Harriet’s story, and the final scenes between Mr and Mrs Elton. We also reflect on the insights we have gained through this close reading of Emma, and how it has changed our views of the novel.
The character we discuss is Jane Fairfax. In the historical section, Ellen briefly revisits her earlier comments about vicars, and then talks about magistrates. For popular culture Harriet talks about four books that retell some or all of the story through the point of view of a different character.
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For a list of music used, see this episode on our website.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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 .
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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.
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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.
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In this episode, we are joined by Harriet’s partner, Michael, and read chapters 16 to 21 of Emma. We talk about the mystery plots, Emma’s fantasies, Emma and Mr Knightley’s interactions, and Harriet’s encounter with Mr Martin (which had us revisiting the map of Highbury).
The character we discuss is Miss Bates, and then Michael talks about army widows and orphans. In the popular culture section, Harriet talks about the 2009 BBC adaptation of Emma.
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For a list of music used, see this episode on our website.
In this episode, we read chapters 11 to 15 of Emma. We talk about the introduction of John and Isabella Knightley, how Emma really doesn’t understand the social world, the clash between Isabella and Mr Woodhouse about health – and how Emma and Mr Knightley are running interference – and the way in which the Frank/Jane plot is beginning to be introduced before the Harriet/Mr Elton plot is resolved.
The character we discuss is Mr Elton, and then Ellen talks about apothecaries. In the popular culture section, Harriet talks about the 1996 ITV telemovie adaptation of Emma.
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In this episode, we read chapters 6 to 10 of Emma. We talk about the hints Jane Austen gives us about Emma’s blunders, Emma’s manipulation of Harriet after Mr Martin’s proposal, the argument between Emma and Mr Knightley, Harriet’s riddle book, Emma’s and Mr Elton’s respective views of his place in the social hierarchy, and Emma’s lack of need to get married. (There was also a lengthy discussion of ‘Kitty, a fair but frozen maid’, which we ended up editing out, and just pointing to Lona Manning’s article and blog posts on the subject.)
We discuss the Martin family (specifically, Mr Martin and his mother), and in the historical section Ellen talks about vicars and parish business. Harriet talks about the 1996 Miramax film adaptation of Emma.
For a list of references, see this episode on our website.
The podcast currently has 46 episodes available.
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