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 Flynn
- Videos and web pages about costuming
- YouTube, 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:
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 No. 28 in A major. File originally from Musopen.
Hello!
First of all I would like to congratulate you on your high quality podcast, I enjoy every minute of it! Yours is the best Jane Austen podcast ever <3
I was so glad to hear that I am not the only one who was quite unimpressed by the 2020 Emma, because on social media I had read mostly positive reviews. I had a similar feeling that Harriet expressed: this adaptation was regrettably shallow. Even though I found it amusing while watching, it couldn't make me involved. I smiled at some scenes, but I did not really care about these people.
Turning Mr. Knightley into a drama queen was not a great idea, and also highly uncharacteristic. He acted like a teenage boy, not a mature gentleman. Unfortunately I could not like Emma either, not to mention the inexcusable nosebleed scene.
And as far as the red cloaks are concerned, they unnecessarily gave me major The Handmaid's Tale vibes 😀
So in spite of having some funny scenes and spot on casting in the minor roles (I rather liked Josh O'Connor's Elton, and Miranda Hart as Miss Bates) this adaptation was just a beautifully photographed and very decorative film, but without a soul.
I'm looking forward to your next episode!