In this episode, we read Chapters 32 to 36 of Sense and Sensibility. We talk about how this is a transitional section, and yet contains some of the funniest scenes in the book. We consider the different styles of the intertwined plots (the ‘Marianne plot’, the ‘Elinor plot’ and the ‘moral story’), talk about the comic scenes with Robert Ferrars and with John Dashwood, and the emotional – but also funny – scene with Edward. We also talk about primogeniture and family obligations.
We discuss Mrs Dashwood, and Ellen talks about the London locations in the book (see also this map Harriet has put together). Harriet reviews how the popular culture versions deal with these chapters.
Map of locations:
Google map of the places mentioned in Sense and Sensibility, including approximate locations of the houses. Zoom in to see the London locations.
Colour coding:
- Red is the Dashwood/Ferrars families
- Purple is the Jennings/Middleton/Palmer families
- Dark blue is Brandon
- Light blue is Willoughby
- Orange is the Steeles
- Brown is real locations
Things we mention:
References:
- 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)
- Elaine and Lancelot
- Walter Scott, The Bride of Lammermoor (1819)
- Alexander Pope, ‘Elegy to the Memory of an Unfortunate Lady‘ (1717)
- William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, Much Ado About Nothing and Twelfth Night
- Maria Edgeworth, Moral Tales (1801)
- Helena Kelly, Jane Austen, the Secret Radical (2016)
Film and television 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
- Joanna Trollope, Sense & Sensibility (The Austen Project #1) (2013)
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 Christoph Willibald Gluck, Orfeo ed Euridice. File from IMSLP.
- Extract from Ludwig van Beethoven, Piano Sonata No. 28 in A major. File originally from Musopen.
I’m late to the game. I thoroughly love the podcast. Thank you! I have to say, though, that honestly I think C.Brandon is the one, not Marianne, who is marrying beneath him. I’m with Harriet in that I find Marianne very trying. Brandon is so above her in world view and understanding, she is lucky to have him. That being said, I hope that she had a change of heart and hopefully, for C. Brandon’s sake, a coming of age epiphany. One of her objections about him in the first place was that she believed one can’t have a grand love and then love again but perhaps she realized after the Willoughby debacle, that it is possible to continue living and to find love. Anyway, I know Ellen was annoyed that E and Mrs. D pushed Marianne onto C. Brandon and I was too but for the opposite reason— Brandon, you are the true H of the book. Find someone who deserves you!! ?