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Mansfield Park: Chapters 23- 26

Fanny has finally been invited to dinner all on her own - well, except Edmund was also invited, but that isn't the point. While Fanny is nervous about her dinner at the Grants, she is excited, until she sees a familiar barouche outside. Henry Crawford is back, and he has a devilish little plan for Fanny. But when an unexpected guest arrives at the Park, everything seems to shift a little and no one seems to be sure of their feelings. 

This week Elle and Catrina discuss everything from dinner at the Grants to the arrival of William Price - which results in another dinner at the Grants. They talk about how Edmund and Mary's stubbornness is what is truly keeping them apart, how rude Mrs. Norris really is, and this new relationship between Henry and Fanny. 

What's more, Elle decides that Jane Austen is just flat out lying about Henry Crawford's feelings on a certain lady.

 Wit Beyond Measure is part of the Folic Podcast Network. You can find more outstanding podcasts to subscribe to at Frolic.media/podcasts  

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Mansfield Park: Chapters 19-22

From the beginning, Edmund wondered what would happen if his father found out about the play. Well, now we get to see it first hand because Sir Thomas has returned to Mansfield Park. This changes everything. What will become of the Maria, Henry, Mr. Rushworth love triangle? Will Edmund officially become a clergyman, or has Mary convinced him otherwise? How will life change at the park now that Sir Thomas is back?

This week Elle and Catrina discuss the goings-on at the park. We dissect Maria's interesting decision about her marriage. Henry's classless response to Sir Thomas' return. Fanny and Mary's new, and somewhat forced friendship. This week is certainly setting us up for an interesting second act.

Also, Mrs. Norris can literally talk herself out of anything. 

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Mansfield Park: Chapters 14 - 18

After much deliberation, the gang at Mansfield Park have finally decided on a play - Lover's Vows. This scandalous play causes a lot of drama around the house, especially between the Bertram sisters. What's more, it puts Edmund in a bit of a situation when he has to choose between standing his ground against the play and taking up a part to keep this scandal under wraps. 

This week Catrina and Elle discuss how Henry Crawford tears apart Maria and Julia, Edmund's failing convictions, and why Mary Crawford might not be as devious as they previously thought. This episode has a lot of really juicy bits, and poor Fanny is right in the middle of all of it. 

Oh, and Sir Thomas comes home... so that should be interesting next week.

Wit Beyond Measure is part of the Folic Podcast Network. You can find more outstanding podcasts to subscribe to at Frolic.media/podcasts  

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Mansfield Park: Chapters 9-13

If you are looking for scandalous activities in Jane Austen novels, then these are the chapters for you! Bridgerton fans will love all this drama. While visiting Southerton, the Mansfield Park gang manages to separate themselves into pairs and find some hidden away places. Edmund and Mary leave Fanny to wander the woods. Maria and Henry send Mr. Rushworth away to find a key before heading out into the shrubbery alone. It all happens right in front of Fanny!

This week Elle and Catrina talk about the drama and scandal that happens at Southerton. From Mary bad talking the church in front of Edmund to Julia getting to ride next to Henry on the way home, there is drama around every corner this week. 

But the real question is, can Mary Crawford convince Edmund to leave the church?

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Mansfield Park: Chapters 5-8

There is something about this Mary Crawford and her fuckboi of a brother Henry. They are visitors from the city who are lauded as the height of sophistication and knowledge by the Bertram sisters. Mary Clearly has her eyes set on one of the Bertram brothers, while Henry finds himself flirting with the sisters. But, most egregiously, Mary keeps taking out Fanny's horse. 

This week Elle and Catrina talk about the Crawfords and how they are integrating themselves into the party at Mansfield Park. Mary Crawford has a lot of opinions and somehow offends everyone, while still charming their pants off. While Henry revels in the attention he is getting from both Maria and Julia Bertram. We only get to see the beginning of the drama as Mary starts to pull Edmund's attention away from his poor cousin and Henry encourages Maria's flirting. 

Also, who asks farmers to lend out their wagons during hay harvesting season? Rude much?

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Mansfield Park Chapters 1-4

Season 4 is all about the drama and scandal of Mansfield Park. In this episode, we meet all of the major players in this Austen novel.  We meet our heroine, Fanny Price, our hero Edmund Bertram,  his sisters Maria and Julia who give off major evil stepsister vibes, and the adults in the story, who really should be paying more attention, Sir and Lady Bertram and Mrs. Norris. If that sounds like a lot of backstory, you'd be right. 

This week Elle and Catrina start off Mansfield Park by unraveling the tangle of backstory that is the first four chapters. There is a lot of information about the Bertrams, the Prices, and that sly Mrs. Norris. Luckily this is just setting the groundwork for some pretty scandalous behavior.

Oh, also, Fuckboi alert!

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It' 's time to start our next Austen novel!

This season, Catrina and Elle will be reading Mansfield Park. A story about an unfortunately named character, Fanny Price, and her experiences living with her wealthy Aunt and Uncle in Mansfield Park. Full of familial drama, historical context, and one of Austen's biggest F-bois, this novel is going to keep us on our toes. 

But before we open the pages of this classic novel, Elle is going to set us up. She is going to tell us everything we need to know about Miss Fanny Price as we begin this season. 

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This week, Elle and Catrina talk about Guillermo de Toro's 2015 film, Crimson Peak! 
*DISCLAIMER* This episode is spoiler heavy - if you haven't seen Crimson Peak and don't want any of the story spoiled then take a moment, watch it first, and come back to us - we'll be here when you're ready.

Elle does a wonderful job of setting up the film's major plot points - highlighting the gorgeous scenery, expertly designed costumes, and actors chosen at the peaks of their careers all coming together under the brilliance of del Toro's vision to create a truly expectational tale of horror and romance.

Catrina reviews the gothic tropes discussed in the Northanger Abbey wrap up episode to see which ones stand out in the film and how they are used to add to the atmosphere of terror and suspense.

But friends, this is a Jane Austen podcast, so how does this compare to Northanger Abbey? Are there any similarities at all?  Can we find the gothic in the sentimental aspects of Austen's story; is there any reprieve from the specters and madness of Crimson Peak?  We shall see.

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This week, Elle and Catrina read through two modern adaptations of Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey. Catrina discuss the drama of North by Northanger,  by Rebecca A. Jamison, while Elle talks about the chemistry in Northpointe Chalet, by Debra White Smith.

Everything feels like a Hallmark rom-com in North by Northanger.  A mix between Northanger Abbey and North by Northwest, this book has kidnapping, attempted murder, and a former lawyer turned truck driver. Most importantly, it might be the first book Catrina hasn't enjoyed.

Northpointe Chalet  feels like it should be a rom-com, but is missing a bit of the rom and leans too heavily on the ridiculousness of the com. While Elle may have had some reservations about it, this book certainly has an audience. But, is it enough like the source material?

Here is a non-christmas episode on Christmas.

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This week, Elle and Catrina read two Northanger Abbey adaptations. While each book is part of a collection of adaptations that we have read before. One is Northanger Abbey through the eyes of Henry Tilney. The other is a modern take - do modern, Catherine might be a Twilight girl. 

Elle reviews Henry Tilney's Diary by Amanda Grange. This is the third book by Amanda Grange Elle has read for the podcast and, like the others, it doesn't disappoint.  If you love Henry Tilney, then this book will have you falling in love even more. What's more, we finally get to see the end of the book play out in real-time.

Catrina got to re-read the modern adaptation called Northanger Abbey by Val McDermid. This modern adaptation is part of the Jane Austen project that brought us Eligible and Emma. What makes this modern adaptation unique is that this version of Catherine is very relatable to anyone who was into supernatural books in the early 20-teens. Oh, and General Tilney might be a vampire...

Wit Beyond Measure is part of the Frolic Podcast Network. You can find more outstanding podcasts to subscribe to at
Frolic.media/podcasts     

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