In this episode, we are joined by Harriet’s partner, Michael, and read chapters 46 to 50 of Emma. We talk about Emma’s emotional roller coaster, reactions to the Frank-Jane revelation, the proposal scene and Emma’s commitment to her father.

The character we discuss is Frank Churchill, and then Michael talks about the changing lifestyle of Regency gentleman. In the popular culture section, Harriet talks about three books that are modernised versions of Emma.

Things we mention:

Character discussion:

• Serene, The Piano Scene: through Jane’s eyes (11 December 2023) – and some other posts about Emma

Popular culture discussion:

• Alexander McCall Smith, Emma: A modern retelling (2014)
• Sonali Dev, The Emma Project(2022)
• Audrey Bellezza and Emily Harding, Emma of 83rd Street(2023)
  • Mäda Primavesi by Gustav Klimt

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.

In this episode, we read chapters 42 to 45 of Emma. We talk about the dropping of clues about Jane and Frank, Donwell Abbey and Mr Knightley’s arrangements for the strawberry picking, how nobody is enjoying themselves at Box Hill, and the pressures on Jane.

The character we discuss is Emma, and in the historical section Ellen talks about watering places. In the popular culture section, Harriet reflects back on the screen adaptations of Emma, considering her favourite moments from each version, and then how they dealt with some of the major characters.

Things we mention:

General and character discussion:

• Richard Cronin and Dorothy McMillan [Editors], The Cambridge Edition of the Works of Jane Austen: Emma (2005)
• Pod and Prejudice podcast
• John Sutherland, Is Heathcliff a murderer?: Puzzles in 19th-century fiction (1996) and Who Betrays Elizabeth Bennet?: Further Puzzles in Classic Fiction (1999)
• ‘The Thing About the Irish Car Party‘, The Thing About Austen podcast, Episode 70 
• Sheila Kaye-Smith and G.B. Stern, Talking of Jane Austen (1943) and More Talk of Jane Austen (1950)

Historical discussion:

• Dorothy L. Sayers, Have His Carcase (1932)
• Beau Nash (1674-1762), well-known dandy and Master of Ceremonies at Bath
• ‘The Thing About Weymouth‘, The Thing About Austen podcast, Episode 45
• Arthur Ransome, Swallows and Amazons (1930)

Popular culture discussion:

• Adaptations:
  • BBC, Emma (1972) – starring Doran Godwin and John Carson
  • Miramax, Emma (1996) – starring Gwyneth Paltrow and Jeremy Northam
  • ITV, Emma (1996) – starring Kate Beckinsale and Mark Strong
  • BBC, Emma (2009) – starring Romola Garai and Jonny Lee Miller
  • Working Title Films, Emma (2020) – starring Anya Taylor-Joy and Johnny Flynn
• Modernisations:
  • Paramount Pictures, Clueless (1995) – starring Alicia Silverstone and Paul Rudd
  • YouTube, Pemberley Digital, Emma Approved (2013) – starring Joanna Sotomura and Brent Bailey

  For a list of music used, see this episode on our website.     

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.