Reading Jane Austen
Harriet and Ellen
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Top 10 Reading Jane Austen Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Reading Jane Austen episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Reading Jane Austen for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Reading Jane Austen episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
S04E11 Emma, Chapters 51 to 55
Reading Jane Austen
06/10/24 • 59 min
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.
Things we mention:
General and character discussion:
- Richard Cronin and Dorothy McMillan [Editors], The Cambridge Edition of the Works of Jane Austen: Emma (2005)
- Janet Saidi, ‘Jane Fairfax Drops the Mic‘, The Austen Connection (9 September 2021)
Historical discussion:
- William Savage, ‘The Georgian Clergy’, Pen and Pension (16 May 2018)
- Charlotte M. Yonge, Talks about the Laws We Live Under (1850)
- Irene Collins, Jane Austen and the Clergy (1994)
- Alan Lambert, ‘650 years of the office of Justice of the Peace/Magistrate‘, Amicus Curiae Issue 88 (2011)
- Elizabeth Gaskell, My Lady Ludlow (1858)
Popular culture discussion:
- Naomi Royde-Smith, Jane Fairfax (1940)
- William Makepeace Thackeray, Vanity Fair (1847) – the character of Becky Sharpe appears in Jane Fairfax
- Characters from the novels of Maria Edgeworth also appear (and probably other novelists as well)
- Joan Austen-Leigh, A Visit to Highbury: Another View of Emma (1995)
- Diana Birchall, In Defense of Mrs Elton (1999)
- Amanda Grange, Mr Knightley’s Diary (2006)
For a list of music used, see this episode on our website.
S04E01 Emma, Chapters 1 to 5
Reading Jane Austen
02/20/23 • 59 min
In this episode, we read the first five chapters of Emma. We give a brief publishing history, and talk about how much we learn about the occupants of Highbury, the introduction of the relationship between Emma and Mr Knightley, Emma’s manipulation of Harriet, and Emma’s personality (and how our views of her are changing on this readthrough).
The character we discuss is Mr Woodhouse, and in the historical section Ellen talks about boarding schools. Harriet gives an overview of all of the popular culture versions of Emma, and explains that due to the number of adaptations there have been, she will talk about one version each episode, rather than trying to cover all of them. For this episode, she talks about the 1972 BBC adaptation.
For a list of references, see this episode on our website.
S03E05 Mansfield Park: Episode 5, Chapters 17-21
Reading Jane Austen
03/22/22 • 59 min
In this episode, we read Chapters 17 to 21 of Mansfield Park. We talk about Fanny’s moral trajectory during the theatricals, Mary’s casual acceptance of Henry’s behaviour with Maria, the cliffhanger ending of Volume 1 in the first edition, and Fanny’s question to Sir Thomas about the slave trade (with Harriet’s theory as to why she asked it).
We talk about Sir Thomas, first considering how he is presented in the text, and then how we reconcile this with the fact that his estate in Antigua is worked by enslaved people. Ellen looks at the clergy, including the presentation of livings, pluralism and absenteeism, and the career path for the clergy. Harriet talks about the popular culture versions.
Things we mention:
General and character discussion:
- John Wiltshire [Editor], The Cambridge Edition of the Works of Jane Austen: Mansfield Park (2005)
- Sheila Kaye-Smith and G.B. Stern, Talking of Jane Austen (1943)
- Edward Said, Culture and Imperialism (1993)
- Lona Manning, In Defense of Sir Thomas (2021)
- Octavia Cox, Which is the worst marriage in Jane Austen’s novels? (2021 – YouTube video)
- HBO, The Sopranos (1999-2007 – television series)
Historical discussion:
- Susannah Fullerton, Susannah Fullerton’s Best Books about Jane Austen (2021 – YouTube video)
- Irene Collins, Jane Austen and the Clergy (2002)
Popular culture discussion:
- Adaptations:
- BBC, Mansfield Park (1983) – starring Sylvestra Le Touzel and Nicholas Farrell (6 episodes)
- Miramax, Mansfield Park (1999) – starring Frances O’Connor and Jonny Lee Miller
- ITV, Mansfield Park (2007) – starring Billie Piper and Blake Ritson
- Modernisations:
- YouTube, Foot in the Door Theatre, From Mansfield With Love (2014-2015)
Creative 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&
S02E10 Sense and Sensibility, Chapters 47 to 50
Reading Jane Austen
06/28/21 • 59 min
In this episode, we read the final chapters of Sense and Sensibility. We talk about Elinor being the ‘moral spokesperson’ for the book, why Marianne marries Colonel Brandon, how Edward is less dashing than both Willoughby and Brandon, the social and financial gap between Elinor and Marianne after their marriages, and Lucy’s marriage to Robert. We also revisit the sense vs sensibility concept, and how the novel is both flawed and wonderful.
We discuss the character of Elinor, then Ellen talks about art, music and writing, and Harriet takes a final look at the popular culture versions.
Things we mention:
References:
- Marjorie Theobauld, Knowing Women: Origins of Women’s Education in Nineteenth-Century Australia (1996)
- Claire Tomalin, Jane Austen: A Life (1997)
- Robert Chapman [Editor], Jane Austen’s Letters to her Sister Cassandra and Others (1969)
Eighteenth- and nineteenth-century women writers:
- Married/de facto
- Mary Brunton (1778–1818): Self-Control (1810)
- Fanny Burney (1752–1840): Cecilia (1782 – written before she was married), Camilla (1796 – written after she was married)
- Anna Barbauld (1743–1825)
- Martha Sherwood (1775–1851): The Fairchild Family (1818)
- Mary Shelley (1797–1851)
- Margaret Gatty (1809–1873)
- Elizabeth Gaskell (1810–1865)
- Anna Lefroy (1793–1872)
- George Eliot (1793–1872)
- Single
- Charlotte Brontë (1816–1855)
- Emily Brontë (1818–1848)
- Anne Brontë (1820–1849)
- Maria Edgeworth (1768–1849): Belinda (1801)
- Hannah More (1745–1833): Coelebs in Search of a Wife (1808)
- Susan Ferrier (1782–1854)
Read more: Adaptations of the book, Modernisations of the book, Creative Commons music used.
S02E09 Sense and Sensibility, Chapters 42 to 46
Reading Jane Austen
06/02/21 • 59 min
In this episode, we read Chapters 42 to 46 of Sense and Sensibility. We talk about how Marianne’s illness is presented (including the un-dramatic way in which she gets sick, and the lack of emotional response), what Colonel Brandon could be doing all day, how Mrs Dashwood is pushing Colonel Brandon and Marianne together, and Jane Austen’s use of grotesques.
We discuss Willoughby (with a digression onto Miss Grey), and Ellen talks about medical practitioners in the early nineteenth century. Harriet reviews how the popular culture versions deal with some of the key events in these chapters: how Marianne gets sick, Willoughby’s visit, and the development of a relationship between Marianne and Colonel Brandon.
Things we mention:
References:
- Edward Copeland [Editor], The Cambridge Edition of the Works of Jane Austen: Sense and Sensibility (2006)
- Helena Kelly, Jane Austen, the Secret Radical (2016)
- Ann Radcliffe, The Mysteries of Udolpho(1794)
- Anthony Trollope, Can you forgive her?(1865)
- Walt Disney Pictures, Beauty and the Beast(1991)
Adaptations of the book:
- BBC, Sense and Sensibility (1971) – starring Joanna David and Ciaran Madden (4 episodes)
- BBC, Sense and Sensibility (1981) – starring Irene Richard and Tracey Childs (7 episodes)
- Columbia Pictures, Sense and Sensibility (1995) – starring Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet
- BBC, Sense and Sensibility (2008) – starring Hattie Morahan and Charity Wakefield (3 episodes)
Modernisations of the book:
- Sri Surya Films, Kandukondain Kandukondain (2000) – starring Tabu and Aishwarya Rai
- MWM Studios, From Prada to Nada (2011) – starring Camilla Belle and Alexa PenaVega
- YouTube, Elinor and Marianne Take Barton (2014) – starring Abi Davies and Bonita Trigg
Creative 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.
S02E08 Sense and Sensibility, Chapters 37 to 41
Reading Jane Austen
05/11/21 • 59 min
In this episode, we read Chapters 37 to 41 of Sense and Sensibility (which was where Volume 3 started in the original publication). We talk about how the news of Edward and Lucy is spread, the picture we get of Lucy and Anne’s relationship, the resurgence of the ‘cautionary tale’, and how this is the second time Colonel Brandon asks Elinor to deliver a message for him.
We discuss the character of Edward, including our disagreement with Helena Kelly’s view in Jane Austen: the Secret Radical (and see also our extended argument against her claim that there is symbolic meaning behind Edward cutting up a scissors sheath). Ellen talks about the clergy in Jane Austen’s day, and Harriet reviews the popular culture versions, particularly looking at how the adaptations treat the scene between Edward and Elinor, and what the modernisations do with the Edward-Lucy-Elinor plot.
Things we mention:
References:
- Edward Copeland [Editor], The Cambridge Edition of the Works of Jane Austen: Sense and Sensibility (2006)
- Robert Rodi, Bitch In a Bonnet: Reclaiming Jane Austen From the Stiffs, the Snobs, the Simps and the Saps (2011)
- Helena Kelly, Jane Austen, the Secret Radical (2016)
- See also our argument against her claims of symbolic meaning behind Edward Ferrars cutting up a scissors sheath
- Lona Manning, ‘Jane Austen: the Secret Radical by Helena Kelly, a review in three parts’ (2017)
Adaptations of the book:
- BBC, Sense and Sensibility (1971) – starring Joanna David and Ciaran Madden (4 episodes)
- BBC, Sense and Sensibility (1981) – starring Irene Richard and Tracey Childs (7 episodes)
- Columbia Pictures, Sense and Sensibility (1995) – starring Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet
- BBC, Sense and Sensibility (2008) – starring Hattie Morahan and Charity Wakefield (3 episodes)
Modernisations of the book:
- Sri Surya Films, Kandukondain Kandukondain (2000) – starring Tabu and Aishwarya Rai
- MWM Studios, From Prada to Nada (2011) – starring Camilla Belle and Alexa PenaVega
- Silver Peak Productions, Scents and Sensibility (2011) – starring Ashley Williams and Marla Sokoloff
- Joanna Trollope, Sense & Sensibility (The Austen Project #1) (2013)
- YouTube, Elinor and Marianne Take Barton (2014) – starring Abi Davies and Bonita Trigg
S02E03 Sense and Sensibility, Chapters 12 to 15
Reading Jane Austen
01/25/21 • 52 min
In this episode, we read Chapters 12 to 15 of Sense and Sensibility. We talk about how Margaret's contribution to the plot, how Elinor and Marianne's debate on sense vs sensibility moves from the theoretical to the practical, the linking of propriety with morality, how the mystery subplot is quite unusual in Jane Austen, and the nasty tone of some of Willoughby's jokes about Colonel Brandon.
We discuss the character of Colonel Brandon, then Harriet’s partner Michael talks about the military, with a focus on service in the East Indies. Harriet talks about how adaptations and modernisations treat these chapters, and the presentation of Colonel Brandon.
Things we mention:
References:
- Jane Nardin, Those Elegant Decorums: The concept of propriety in Jane Austen’s novels (1973)
- Samuel Richardson, Pamela (1740)
- Samuel Richardson, Clarissa, or, the History of a Young Lady (1748)
- Horace Walpole, The Castle of Otranto (1764)
- Sheila Kaye-Smith and G.B. Stern, Talking of Jane Austen (1943) and More Talk of Jane Austen (1950)
- Marvin Mudrick, Jane Austen: Irony as Defense and Discovery (1974)
Adaptations of the book:
- BBC, Sense and Sensibility (1971) – starring Joanna David and Ciaran Madden (4 episodes)
- BBC, Sense and Sensibility (1981) – starring Irene Richard and Tracey Childs (7 episodes)
- Columbia Pictures, Sense and Sensibility (1995) – starring Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet
- BBC, Sense and Sensibility (2008) – starring Hattie Morahan and Charity Wakefield (3 episodes)
Modernisations of the book:
- MGM, Material Girls (2006) – starring Hilary Duff and Haylie Duff
- Joanna Trollope, Sense & Sensibility (The Austen Project #1) (2013)
- YouTube, Elinor and Marianne Take Barton (2014) – starring Abi Davies and Bonita Trigg
Variations on the book:
- Amanda Grange, Colonel Brandon’s Diary (2008)
Creative 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 Amad
S02E02 Sense and Sensibility, Chapters 6 to 11
Reading Jane Austen
01/11/21 • 59 min
In this episode, we read Chapters 6 to 11 of Sense and Sensibility. We talk about how Barton Cottage and its location are described in some detail, consider how the bedrooms are shared out, the closeness between the two sisters in spite of their differences, the theme of sense vs sensibility, and the way Willoughby and Marianne criticise Colonel Brandon.
We discuss the character of Mrs Jennings, then Ellen talks about how members of the gentry spent their time, and Harriet talks about how adaptations and modernisations treat these chapters (including a discussion about how the Dashwoods have adapted to having less money). Harriet also gives an overview of the other Jane Austen podcasts that are out there.
Things we mention:
References:
- Edward Copeland [Editor], The Cambridge Edition of the Works of Jane Austen: Sense and Sensibility (2006)
- The epigrams of Oscar Wilde (1854-1900)
- Thorstein Veblen, The Theory of the Leisure Class: An Economic Study of Institutions (1899)
- Karl Marx (1818-1883)
- Max Weber (1864-1920)
- Sue Birtwistle and Susie Conklin, The Making of Pride and Prejudice (1995)
- Emma Thompson, The Sense and Sensibility Screenplay and Diaries: Bringing Jane Austen’s Novel to Film (1995)
Adaptations of the book:
- BBC, Sense and Sensibility (1971) – starring Joanna David and Ciaran Madden (4 episodes)
- BBC, Sense and Sensibility (1981) – starring Irene Richard and Tracey Childs (7 episodes)
- Columbia Pictures, Sense and Sensibility (1995) – starring Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet
- BBC, Sense and Sensibility (2008) – starring Hattie Morahan and Charity Wakefield (3 episodes)
Modernisations of the book:
- Joanna Trollope, Sense & Sensibility (The Austen Project #1) (2013)
- YouTube, Elinor and Marianne Take Barton (2014) – starring Abi Davies and Bonita Trigg
Other Jane Austen podcasts:
- First Impressions: Why all the Austen haters are wrong
- Bonnets at Dawn
- The Daily Knightley: A Jane Austen journey
- The Austen Archives
- Manners and Madness
- Reclaiming Jane
Creative commons music used:
- Extract from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Sonata No. 12 in F Major, ii. Adagio.
- Extract from
S02E01 Sense and Sensibility, Chapters 1 to 5
Reading Jane Austen
12/27/20 • 56 min
In this episode, we read the first five chapters of Sense and Sensibility. We give a brief publishing history, and talk about the themes of sense and sensibility, the lack of dialogue in the first chapter, how much money the Dashwoods have, the emphasis on caring about the arts, how very young the girls are, and the lack of presentation of Edward.
We discuss the characters of John and Fanny Dashwood, then Ellen talks about wills and marriage settlements, and Harriet gives an overview of the popular culture adaptations, modernisations, continuations and variations on the book.
Things we mention:
References:
- Claire Tomalin, Jane Austen: A Life (1997)
- Edward Copeland [Editor], The Cambridge Edition of the Works of Jane Austen: Sense and Sensibility (2006)
- Sheila Kaye-Smith and G.B. Stern, Talking of Jane Austen (1943) and More Talk of Jane Austen (1950)
Adaptations of the book:
- BBC, Sense and Sensibility (1971) – starring Joanna David and Ciaran Madden (4 episodes)
- BBC, Sense and Sensibility (1981) – starring Irene Richard and Tracey Childs (7 episodes)
- Columbia Pictures, Sense and Sensibility (1995) – starring Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet
- BBC, Sense and Sensibility (2008) – starring Hattie Morahan and Charity Wakefield (3 episodes)
Modernisations of the book:
- Sri Surya Films, Kandukondain Kandukondain (2000) – starring Tabu and Aishwarya Rai
- MGM, Material Girls (2006) – starring Hilary Duff and Haylie Duff
- MWM Studios, From Prada to Nada (2011) – starring Camilla Belle and Alexa PenaVega
- Silver Peak Productions, Scents and Sensibility (2011) – starring Ashley Williams and Marla Sokoloff
- Joanna Trollope, Sense & Sensibility (The Austen Project #1) (2013)
- YouTube, Elinor and Marianne Take Barton (2014) – starring Abi Davies and Bonita Trigg
Variations on the book:
- Amanda Grange, Colonel Brandon’s Diary (2008)
- Ben H. Winters and Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters (2009)
Creative 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
Persuasion season starting in November
Reading Jane Austen
10/06/24 • 0 min
Just a quick update to let you know that our Persuasion season will be starting in November. We've recorded the first few episodes, but Harriet has been too busy at work to finish editing them. She's going to be away for a few weeks, but will start releasing the episodes on her return in November.
We've added the new season to the website menu, with a provisional episode listing.
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FAQ
How many episodes does Reading Jane Austen have?
Reading Jane Austen currently has 46 episodes available.
What topics does Reading Jane Austen cover?
The podcast is about Reading, Podcasts, Books, Jane Austen and Arts.
What is the most popular episode on Reading Jane Austen?
The episode title 'S04E10 Emma, Chapters 46 to 50' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Reading Jane Austen?
The average episode length on Reading Jane Austen is 54 minutes.
How often are episodes of Reading Jane Austen released?
Episodes of Reading Jane Austen are typically released every 25 days, 21 hours.
When was the first episode of Reading Jane Austen?
The first episode of Reading Jane Austen was released on Feb 1, 2020.
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