Harriet

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

In this episode, we talk about the arrivals of Mr Collins and Mr Wickham, and the Netherfield Ball: we consider how Mr Bennet didn’t give the family any warning about Mr Collins’s arrival, the number of letters in the book, the amount of foreshadowing we’ve seen, how Wickham was able to fool Elizabeth, and Elizabeth’s … Read more Pride and Prejudice: Chapters 13-18

In this episode, we talk about Jane and Elizabeth’s visit to Netherfield: we consider why Jane was invited, Darcy’s feelings about Elizabeth, the types of conversations everyone has and what Darcy reads. We discuss Mr Bingley in some detail, including how he and Darcy might have met, and then Ellen talks about accomplishments. Harriet looks … Read more Pride and Prejudice: Chapters 7-12

In this episode, we look at chapters 1 to 6 of Pride and Prejudice. We talk about how the book sets up the relationship between love and marriage, the way the characters are introduced so gradually, what we see in Darcy and the fact that we quickly learn how much money everyone has. We discuss … Read more Pride and Prejudice: Chapters 1-6