In this episode, we read chapters 37 to 41 of Emma. We talk about the parallel narratives, the ball at the Crown, Emma’s awareness of Mr Knightley, the section from Mr Knightley’s point of view and the tension between Jane and Frank.
The character we discuss is Mr Knightley, and in the historical section Ellen talks about poverty and the labouring classes. In the popular culture section, Harriet talks about the 2017 YouTube series The Emma Agenda.
Things we mention:
General and character discussion:
- Pod and Prejudice podcast
- Tea with Cassiane YouTube videos about Regency dancing
- Somerset Maugham
Historical discussion:
- The Speenhamland system
- Anthony Trollope, The Warden (1855)
- Robert Raikes
- Hannah More
Popular culture discussion:
- Main version considered:
- YouTube, Quip Modest Productions, The Emma Agenda (2017) – starring Selis Maria Vargas and Angela Wong Carbone
- Other references
- YouTube, Pemberley Digital, Emma Approved (2013) – starring Joanna Sotomura and Brent Bailey
- ITV, Emma (1996) – starring Kate Beckinsale and Mark Strong
- Working Title Films, Emma (2020) – starring Anya Taylor-Joy and Johnny Flynn
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.
There is one sentence that intrigues me in the chapter where the ball takes place and Mr Knightley is dancing with Harriet and Emma is observing them: “His dancing proved to be just what she had believed it, extremely good…” Does this mean that Emma has never seen Mr Knightley dance before? If so, is that because there just hasn’t been the opportunity for any balls at all in Highbury, or is it because Emma has always been so sheltered at home and wouldn’t have gone to any balls where Mr Knightley might have been?
I had never thought of that! It could be that he just didn’t dance (as he was planning not to at the Highbury ball). But it does make me wonder what balls – or even informal dances – Emma had been to before this.