S04E08 Emma, Chapters 37 to 41

Reading Jane Austen

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.