In this episode, we read Chapters 12 to 15 of Sense and Sensibility. We talk about 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 … Read more Sense and Sensibility: Episode 3, Chapters 12-15
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 … Read more Sense and Sensibility: Episode 2, Chapters 6-11
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, … Read more Sense and Sensibility: Episode 1, Chapters 1-5
In this episode, we read the final chapters of Pride and Prejudice. We talk about the dialogue in the final proposal scene, and more generally about proposals in Jane Austen; Mr Bennet’s response to the news, and also Mrs Bennet’s; what the final chapter, and James Austen-Leigh’s Memoir, tells us about what happens next to … Read more Pride and Prejudice: Chapters 58-61
In this episode, we talk about how Jane Austen keeps up the suspense so close to the end of the book, the fact that Kitty has almost forgotten who Mr Darcy is, Elizabeth’s embarrassment at her mother, Bingley and Mr Bennet shooting together, the physical descriptions of Longbourne, the question of how Lady Catherine got … Read more Pride and Prejudice: Chapters 53-57
In this episode, we talk about the steps taken to find Lydia and Wickham, how much Darcy paid to get them married, the moral and social approach towards what Lydia has done, why Mrs Bennet thinks there will be a duel, the letter from Mr Collins, and Elizabeth’s changing feelings towards Darcy. We discuss the … Read more Pride and Prejudice: Chapters 47-52
In this episode, we talk about the way Darcy is reintroduced into the narrative, Jane Austen’s thoughts on architecture and landscaping, the possible connection between Pemberley and Chatsworth and how Georgiana Darcy is presented in a very different manner from Anne de Burgh. We discuss Elizabeth Bennet, perhaps Jane Austen’s most popular heroine. Ellen talks … Read more Pride and Prejudice: Chapters 42-46
In this episode, we talk about Darcy’s letter and Elizabeth’s reaction to it, consider what Wickham might have done in his youth, revisit the Collins marriage, discuss Mr Bennet’s abrogation of parental responsibility and look at how Elizabeth is now seeing her family through new eyes. We then look at the character of Lydia. For … Read more Pride and Prejudice: Chapters 35-41
In this episode, we talk about Elizabeth’s feelings towards Wickham and Colonel Fitzwilliam, the married life of the Collinses, why we find Lady Catherine de Burgh more funny than Mr Collins, and what we know about Anne de Burgh. We discuss Mr Darcy in some detail, and then Ellen talks about the the presentation of … Read more Pride and Prejudice: Chapters 27-34
In this episode, we talk about the two marriage proposals by Mr Collins, the precise timetabling of the events, and the matter of obedience to one’s parents. We discuss Charlotte Lucas in some detail, and then Ellen talks about the ‘marriage market’. Harriet looks at where the two mini-series versions of Pride and Prejudice have … Read more Pride and Prejudice: Chapters 19-26