Podcast appearances and mentions of jane fairfax

In this episode, we're savoring the drama and intrigue of Emma, Volume Two, Chapters 9 through 18. The aftermath of the Cole's party has Emma rehashing every social triumph and misstep, from her jealousy over Jane Fairfax's piano skills to her playful gossip with Frank Churchill about the mysterious pianoforte.  Meanwhile, Mrs. Elton makes her grand entrance into Highbury society, leaving Emma unimpressed but the rest of the town charmed. Between witty banter, romantic musings, and subtle moments of humor (looking at you, Mr. Knightley), these chapters are packed with Austen's signature blend of sharp social commentary and entertaining drama.  As a reminder, we've historically shared these “big book readalong” recap series in our patreon community, but to celebrate five years of podcasting, we're sharing it on the public feed! We're so excited to have all of you reading with us. To grab our reading schedule, go to our instagram page @novelpairingspod for our pinned post or subscribe to our free weekly substack newsletter where you'll get reminders and announcements.  

Harriet's off to London, so Emma is free to bask in the happiness of Highbury. She's overdue for a visit to congratulate Jane Fairfax, so it's off to the Bates's. But Emma's desire to speak freely to Jane is thwarted by the presence of none other than Mrs. Elton, who had the same idea as Emma. Though the visit may be more awkward than anticipated for them, it's just right for you, so let this week's story soothe you as you make your way from day to night and into a state of deep and restful sleep.-----Welcome to the Jane Austen Bedtime Stories podcast! Each episode is a section of a classic Jane Austen novel, read in soothing tones and set to calming music to help you fall asleep.With everything that is going on in the world, we find comfort in the familiar. For so many of us, Jane Austen's works are like a warm hug. So snuggle up under the covers and let the comforting words of Jane Austen lull you into sleep.-----Help us keep this podcast free! Support the podcast: http://bedtimestoriespodcast.net/support -----Follow us on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/janeaustenbedtimepod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠-----Music ["Reverie"] by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. – www.scottbuckley.com.au

Emma's exquisite happiness can only be disturbed by one thing - a thick letter from Frank Churchill, forwarded to her by Mrs. Weston. Uninterested as she is in hearing from him, it must be done, so she sits herself down to learn his truth. Settle in under your covers and join her, as she discovers how Frank and Jane Fairfax made their secret engagement and the sequence of events in Highbury that led to its eventual reveal. Let the twists and turns of their story carry your mind away from your day and into another night of deep and restorative sleep. ----- Welcome to the Jane Austen Bedtime Stories podcast! Each episode is a section of a classic Jane Austen novel, read in soothing tones and set to calming music to help you fall asleep. With everything that is going on in the world, we find comfort in the familiar. For so many of us, Jane Austen's works are like a warm hug. So snuggle up under the covers and let the comforting words of Jane Austen lull you into sleep. ----- Help us keep this podcast free! Support the podcast: http://bedtimestoriespodcast.net/support ----- Follow us on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/janeaustenbedtimepod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ----- Music ["Reverie"] by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. – www.scottbuckley.com.au

Emma is still distraught over the prospect of losing Mr. Knightley to Harriet, but luckily a visit from Mrs. Weston offers a welcome distraction. But even tales of Jane Fairfax and Frank Churchill can't keep Emma's attention for too long, and every moment takes her further into introspection, reflection, and remorse. All she can do is promise to be better, for herself, and for those she loves. As Emma continues her private contemplation, let it accompany you on your own journey into another night of soft and restful slumber. ----- Welcome to the Jane Austen Bedtime Stories podcast! Each episode is a section of a classic Jane Austen novel, read in soothing tones and set to calming music to help you fall asleep. With everything that is going on in the world, we find comfort in the familiar. For so many of us, Jane Austen's works are like a warm hug. So snuggle up under the covers and let the comforting words of Jane Austen lull you into sleep. ----- Follow us on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/janeaustenbedtimepod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ----- Music ["Reverie"] by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. – www.scottbuckley.com.au

Emma is convinced that the news of Frank Churchill and Jane Fairfax will be devastating for Harriet, but the tables soon turn and it's Emma herself who is left devastated, because it turns out the object of Harriet's affection is not Frank, but none other than Mr. Knightley. And upon hearing of Harriet's attachment, Emma has come to life-altering realization: nobody should marry Mr. Knightley other than herself! Emma is fully in her feelings - reflecting, rehashing, and regretting her behavior up until now. A good night's sleep is what she needs to help her process her emotions, and a good night's sleep is what you will enjoy as you let this week's story envelop you in another world and carry you away into relaxing and peaceful sleep. ----- Welcome to the Jane Austen Bedtime Stories podcast! Each episode is a section of a classic Jane Austen novel, read in soothing tones and set to calming music to help you fall asleep. With everything that is going on in the world, we find comfort in the familiar. For so many of us, Jane Austen's works are like a warm hug. So snuggle up under the covers and let the comforting words of Jane Austen lull you into sleep. ----- Follow us on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/janeaustenbedtimepod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ----- Music ["Reverie"] by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. – www.scottbuckley.com.au --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jabedtimepod/support

This week, Emma is on high alert, as Mr. Weston arrives at Hartfield in a state of agitation. What could be the matter? He whisks her away and won't reveal a thing until they get to Randalls, and Mrs. Weston can break the news to Emma herself. The news is more shocking than she ever could have imagined: Frank Churchill is engaged to Jane Fairfax! What's more, they've been secretly engaged this entire time. The deception is unbelievable. Luckily, Emma has moved on from any attachment to Frank, but she knows the same cannot be said for poor Harriet. She is incensed, but there is nothing she can do other than lie down, smarting in her own feelings. As Emma takes in the news, let the drama of Highbury take your mind away from your day and help you as you drift away into another night of deep and restorative sleep. ----- Welcome to the Jane Austen Bedtime Stories podcast! Each episode is a section of a classic Jane Austen novel, read in soothing tones and set to calming music to help you fall asleep. With everything that is going on in the world, we find comfort in the familiar. For so many of us, Jane Austen's works are like a warm hug. So snuggle up under the covers and let the comforting words of Jane Austen lull you into sleep. ----- Follow us on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/janeaustenbedtimepod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ----- Music ["Reverie"] by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. – www.scottbuckley.com.au --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jabedtimepod/support

Emma is back from the Bates's and just in time to catch Mr. Knightley before he leaves from London. How fortunate that she was able to let him know in time that she made her amends! But before she can think too much about their last interaction, they receive startling news - the long-suffering Mrs. Churchill is no more. Though it's sad news for the Churchills, the bright spot for Emma is that now there's a chance for Harriet to make her way into Frank's affections. More pressing for Emma on her quest to be a better person, however, is offering kindness to poor Jane Fairfax. Yet, for some reason, Jane is firmly rebuking Emma's overtures. All of this action leaves Emma with a lot to consider, and there's no better way to process than with a good night's sleep. So let this week's story help you as you make your own way into rest, relaxation, and peaceful slumber. ----- Welcome to the Jane Austen Bedtime Stories podcast! Each episode is a section of a classic Jane Austen novel, read in soothing tones and set to calming music to help you fall asleep. With everything that is going on in the world, we find comfort in the familiar. For so many of us, Jane Austen's works are like a warm hug. So snuggle up under the covers and let the comforting words of Jane Austen lull you into sleep. ----- Follow us on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/janeaustenbedtimepod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ----- Music ["Reverie"] by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. – www.scottbuckley.com.au --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jabedtimepod/support

Emma, still smarting from Mr. Knightley's rebuke, vows to be better, and the first step is for her to call on Miss Bates. The touch is immediate, and Emma soon learns of a major development - Jane Fairfax (with help from Mrs. Elton) has secured a position as a governess and is set to leave Highbury within a fortnight. But that's not all. It seems like Frank Churchill has left Highbury rather suddenly as well. A chat with Miss Bates is always bound to reveal more than intended about the inner workings of Highbury society, and today is no exception. As Miss Bates rattles on, let her conversation help lull you into an evening of gentle and restorative sleep. ----- Welcome to the Jane Austen Bedtime Stories podcast! Each episode is a section of a classic Jane Austen novel, read in soothing tones and set to calming music to help you fall asleep. With everything that is going on in the world, we find comfort in the familiar. For so many of us, Jane Austen's works are like a warm hug. So snuggle up under the covers and let the comforting words of Jane Austen lull you into sleep. ----- Follow us on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/janeaustenbedtimepod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ----- Music ["Reverie"] by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. – www.scottbuckley.com.au --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jabedtimepod/support

For once, Emma's not the only one with matches on the mind - Mr. Knightley has his own suspicions about a possible match, and they center on none other than Frank Churchill and Jane Fairfax. He's convinced that it can't be a coincidence that these two are frequently exchanging meaningful looks. As a friend, Mr. Knightley has to look out for Emma, of course, even though she's not buying his theories. As Emma, Mr. Knightley, Jane, and Frank all meet for tea at Hartfield, you be the judge, dear listener, and let your mind ponder the question as it wanders into a restful and relaxing night of sleep. ----- Welcome to the Jane Austen Bedtime Stories podcast! Each episode is a section of a classic Jane Austen novel, read in soothing tones and set to calming music to help you fall asleep. With everything that is going on in the world, we find comfort in the familiar. For so many of us, Jane Austen's works are like a warm hug. So snuggle up under the covers and let the comforting words of Jane Austen lull you into sleep. ----- Follow us on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/janeaustenbedtimepod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ----- Music ["Reverie"] by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. – www.scottbuckley.com.au --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jabedtimepod/support

Ep. 674: Subtle Snarks and Revelations | Chapters 47-48 / Volume 3, Chapters 11-12 Book talk begins at 9:47. Heads up: New Halloween quilt in October coming up for 2 weeks only!  Emma faces some hard truths about herself in this one while Jane Fairfax and Frank's secrets also come to light. We also have some lovely listener feedback on gluten-free thickening agents like arrowroot for gravies. Tip: You can use tapioca flour too. --------------------------------------------------------------- • • •   CraftLit's socials: • Find everything here: • Join the newsletter: • Podcast site: • Facebook: • Facebook group: • Pinterest: • TikTok podcast: • Email: • Check out the list of previous CraftLit Classics here:   Support the show links: Subscribe to the Premium feed (on the app) here: or on Patreon: (same price, $5/month)   • Download the FREE CraftLit App for iOS or Android (you can call or email feedback straight from within the app) • Call 1-206-350-1642

Ep. 673: Ridwell | Chapter 45-46 / Volume 3, Chapter 9-10 Book talk begins at 11:01. Jane Fairfax's health takes center stage as “nervous fever”. We also stumble across the Greek god Momus and of course, Jane Austen weaves in some references to a Goldsmith song from  “The Vicar of Wakefield”. Plus, have you heard about Ridwell? Check all of it out. --------------------------------------------------------------- • • • • Can you use arrowroot in a gravy for people who can't have flour? Let us know in the comments! • The definition of typhus versus the definition of typhoid • • Spike Milligan from The Goon Show • Goldsmith's song from “the vicar of wakefield” • Mourning hems • Closeup of hems •   CraftLit's socials: • Find everything here: • Join the newsletter: • Podcast site: • Facebook: • Facebook group: • Pinterest: • TikTok podcast: • Email: • Check out the list of previous CraftLit Classics here: Support the show links: Subscribe to the Premium feed (on the app) here: or on Patreon: (same price, $5/month) • Download the FREE CraftLit App for iOS or Android (you can call or email feedback straight from within the app) • Call 1-206-350-1642

Ep. 664: OPTs | Chapters 32-34 / Volume 2, Chapters 14-16 Book talk begins at 13:19.  Chapter audio is at 50:37. Post-chapter book talk is at 1:46:56. This week's episode is loaded with Jane Fairfax's tact, Mr. Knightley's dry sarcasm, and Emma's snarky comebacks. That—plus some stuff about Hartfield and Maple Grove—and so much more! --------------------------------------------------------------- • • Mason River's business card • The punctuations in chapter 32 (volume 2, chapter 14) • Military gaiters • • • • • • • • •   CraftLit's socials: • Find everything here: • Join the newsletter: • Podcast site: • Facebook: • Facebook group: • Pinterest: • TikTok podcast: • Email: • Check out the list of previous CraftLit Classics here:   Support the show links: Subscribe to the Premium feed (on the app) here: or on Patreon: (same price, $5/month) Download the FREE CraftLit App for iOS or Android (you can call or email feedback straight from within the app) Call 1-206-350-1642

The Hartfield dinner party continues, and the evening is mostly filled with Mrs. Elton attempting to convince Jane Fairfax to accept her help in securing the most desirable governess posting (Mrs. Elton has seen a great deal of the world at Maple Grove, after all). But her chattering is interrupted with the surprise appearance of Mr. Weston, who has big news - Frank Churchill is returning to Highbury! Emma feels something at the news, but she's not quite sure what it is. As she ponders, let her thoughts take you on a journey into another night of restorative sleep. ----- Welcome to the Jane Austen Bedtime Stories podcast! Each episode is a section of a classic Jane Austen novel, read in soothing tones and set to calming music to help you fall asleep. With everything that is going on in the world, we find comfort in the familiar. For so many of us, Jane Austen's works are like a warm hug. So snuggle up under the covers and let the comforting words of Jane Austen lull you into sleep. ----- Follow us on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/janeaustenbedtimepod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ----- Music ["Reverie"] by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. – www.scottbuckley.com.au --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jabedtimepod/support

Mrs. Elton is a popular new addition to Highbury society, so despite Emma's less-than-warm feelings towards her, she's decided to invite the Eltons to a dinner party at Hartfield. (Since Emma wouldn't want anyone to suspect that she dislikes Mrs. Elton, of course.) Join the Eltons, the Woodhouses, the two Knightley brothers, Mrs. Weston, and Jane Fairfax for a thrilling start to their evening, filled with conversations on such electrifying subjects as the post office, Jane's walk to the post office in the rain, Frank Churchill's handwriting, and many more! It's enough to put you straight to sleep, so let it do so and help you drift off into rest and relaxation. ----- Welcome to the Jane Austen Bedtime Stories podcast! Each episode is a section of a classic Jane Austen novel, read in soothing tones and set to calming music to help you fall asleep. With everything that is going on in the world, we find comfort in the familiar. For so many of us, Jane Austen's works are like a warm hug. So snuggle up under the covers and let the comforting words of Jane Austen lull you into sleep. ----- Follow us on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/janeaustenbedtimepod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ----- Music ["Reverie"] by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. – www.scottbuckley.com.au --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jabedtimepod/support

Emma's opinion of Mrs. Elton hasn't changed - she's as insufferable as ever. In the absence of Emma's friendship, Mrs. Elton has fixated on a new target, Jane Fairfax, which is just fine with Emma. The person she's really concerned with is Mr. Knightley, whose fondness for Jane is slightly alarming. He denies any affection for Jane Fairfax, but Mrs. Weston is convinced there's more here than meets the eye. Who is right? As they discuss, let their conversation help you clear your mind and journey into another night of peaceful sleep. ----- Welcome to the Jane Austen Bedtime Stories podcast! Each episode is a section of a classic Jane Austen novel, read in soothing tones and set to calming music to help you fall asleep. With everything that is going on in the world, we find comfort in the familiar. For so many of us, Jane Austen's works are like a warm hug. So snuggle up under the covers and let the comforting words of Jane Austen lull you into sleep. ----- Follow us on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/janeaustenbedtimepod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ----- Music ["Reverie"] by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. – www.scottbuckley.com.au --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jabedtimepod/support

In this episode, we finish up Emma with chapters 51 to 55. We talk about the decision for Mr Knightley to move to Hartfield, the resolution of Harriet's story, and the final scenes between Mr and Mrs Elton. We also reflect on the insights we have gained through this close reading of Emma, and how it has changed our views of the novel.The character we discuss is Jane Fairfax. In the historical section, Ellen briefly revisits her earlier comments about vicars, and then talks about magistrates. For popular culture Harriet talks about four books that retell some or all of the story through the point of view of a different character.Things we mention:General and character discussion:Richard Cronin and Dorothy McMillan [Editors], The Cambridge Edition of the Works of Jane Austen: Emma (2005)Janet Saidi, ‘Jane Fairfax Drops the Mic‘, The Austen Connection (9 September 2021)Historical discussion:William Savage, ‘The Georgian Clergy', Pen and Pension (16 May 2018)Charlotte M. Yonge, Talks about the Laws We Live Under (1850)Irene Collins, Jane Austen and the Clergy (1994)Alan Lambert, ‘650 years of the office of Justice of the Peace/Magistrate‘, Amicus Curiae Issue 88 (2011)Elizabeth Gaskell, My Lady Ludlow (1858)Popular culture discussion:Naomi Royde-Smith, Jane Fairfax (1940)William Makepeace Thackeray, Vanity Fair (1847) – the character of Becky Sharpe appears in Jane FairfaxCharacters from the novels of Maria Edgeworth also appear (and probably other novelists as well)Joan Austen-Leigh, A Visit to Highbury: Another View of Emma (1995)Diana Birchall, In Defense of Mrs Elton (1999)Amanda Grange, Mr Knightley's Diary (2006)For a list of music used, see this episode on our website.   

When the ladies returned to the drawing-room after dinner, Emma found it hardly possible to prevent their making two distinct parties;—with so much perseverance in judging and behaving ill did Mrs. Elton engross Jane Fairfax and slight herself... The Jane Austen Podcast with Alison Larkin is a Realm production. Listen away. For more shows like this, visit Realm.fm, and sign up for our newsletter while you're there! Listen to this episode ad-free by joining Realm+ on Apple Podcasts. Subscribers also get early access and exclusive bonus content! Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok. Want to chat about your favorite Realm shows? Join our Discord. Visit our merch store: realm.fm/merch Find and support our sponsors at: www.realm.fm/w/partners Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Emma and her friends make their way to the Bateses', and finally see Jane Fairfax's storied pianoforte in the flesh. Frank Churchill's pointed speculations about the gift-giver soon give way to a mostly one-sided conversation between Miss Bates and Mr. Knightley, who is passing by the house, and before Emma knows it, the entire morning has passed her by. Join her in getting lost in conversation as this week's story helps you gently drift off into peaceful and restorative sleep. ----- Welcome to the Jane Austen Bedtime Stories podcast! Each episode is a section of a classic Jane Austen novel, read in soothing tones and set to calming music to help you fall asleep. With everything that is going on in the world, we find comfort in the familiar. For so many of us, Jane Austen's works are like a warm hug. So snuggle up under the covers and let the comforting words of Jane Austen lull you into sleep. ----- Follow us on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/janeaustenbedtimepod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ----- Music ["Reverie"] by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. – www.scottbuckley.com.au --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jabedtimepod/support

Jane Austen famously described Emma Woodhouse, the title character of her 1815 novel, as "a heroine whom no-one but myself will much like." Yet generations of readers have loved Emma, as much for her blunders as for her wit and vivacity. Emma, "handsome, clever, and rich," has nothing else to do but try to pair off her friends, and she consistently mis-reads the relationships and situations around her as much as she mis-reads her own heart. The novel features a wonderful cast of characters, including Emma's hypochondriac father, the odiously prideful Mrs. Elton, the mysterious and reserved Jane Fairfax, and Miss Bates, who never stops talking. (Summary by Elizabeth Klett).

After a successful night at the Coles', Emma is in good spirits. But the mystery of Jane Fairfax's pianoforte still remains, and after a run-in with Mrs. Weston, Frank Churchill, and Miss Bates in town (including a rather lengthy aside from Miss Bates about her morning), Emma is on her way to the Bates's to see the instrument for herself. A day in Highbury is never dull, so let Emma's latest adventure help take your mind off your day and carry you into a night of rest and relaxation. ----- Welcome to the Jane Austen Bedtime Stories podcast! Each episode is a section of a classic Jane Austen novel, read in soothing tones and set to calming music to help you fall asleep. With everything that is going on in the world, we find comfort in the familiar. For so many of us, Jane Austen's works are like a warm hug. So snuggle up under the covers and let the comforting words of Jane Austen lull you into sleep. ----- Follow us on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/janeaustenbedtimepod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ----- Music ["Reverie"] by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. – www.scottbuckley.com.au --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jabedtimepod/support

Jane Fairfax was an orphan, the only child of Mrs. Bates's youngest daughter... The Jane Austen Podcast with Alison Larkin is a Realm production. Listen away. For more shows like this, visit Realm.fm, and sign up for our newsletter while you're there! Listen to this episode ad-free by joining Realm+ on Apple Podcasts. Subscribers also get early access and exclusive bonus content! Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok. Want to chat about your favorite Realm shows? Join our Discord. Visit our merch store: realm.fm/merch Find and support our sponsors at: www.realm.fm/w/partners Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The intrigue of the evening at the Coles continues to deepen, as Mrs. Weston comes to Emma with a new theory. Could Mr. Knightley be the one who gave Jane Fairfax the mystery pianoforte? Could he perhaps be interested in marrying her? The idea vexes Emma immediately - on behalf of her nephew, of course, who could lose his inheritance if Mr. Knightley married and had his own children. Emma is certainly not disturbed on her own behalf, absolutely not. Speculative matches are being made left and right, so let the thickening plot occupy your mind tonight and comfort you into blissful sleep. ----- Welcome to the Jane Austen Bedtime Stories podcast! Each episode is a section of a classic Jane Austen novel, read in soothing tones and set to calming music to help you fall asleep. With everything that is going on in the world, we find comfort in the familiar. For so many of us, Jane Austen's works are like a warm hug. So snuggle up under the covers and let the comforting words of Jane Austen lull you into sleep. ----- Follow us on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/janeaustenbedtimepod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ----- Music ["Reverie"] by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. – www.scottbuckley.com.au --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jabedtimepod/support

Tonight it's dinner at the Coles, and this night is about to be full of major developments for the people of Highbury to discuss. First and foremost is the mysterious new pianoforte that got delivered to Jane Fairfax - everyone is abuzz with speculation as to who could have sent it, especially Emma and Frank Churchill. After all, what good is a surprise delivery if the all your neighbors can't gossip about it? As Emma begins her night of intrigue, let her evening help you descend into your own evening of peaceful and restorative sleep. ----- Welcome to the Jane Austen Bedtime Stories podcast! Each episode is a section of a classic Jane Austen novel, read in soothing tones and set to calming music to help you fall asleep. With everything that is going on in the world, we find comfort in the familiar. For so many of us, Jane Austen's works are like a warm hug. So snuggle up under the covers and let the comforting words of Jane Austen lull you into sleep. ----- Follow us on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/janeaustenbedtimepod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ----- Music ["Reverie"] by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. – www.scottbuckley.com.au --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jabedtimepod/support

We're joined today by Sequoia Simone (Fanatical Fics, But Make It Scary) to discuss the second half of Clueless! Topics discussed include "stems," heavy clambakes, Jane Fairfax as the Gay Agenda, the California freeway, Box Hill-gate, daddy-daughter time, and, of course, not allowing children to participate in multimillion dollar lawsuits.Glossary of People, Places, and Things: Fire Island, Manslaughter Park, Zits, A Goofy Movie, The White Lotus, 2001: A Space Odyssey, I Love Lucy, Schitt's Creek, Legally BlondeTo hear Sequoia read ridiculous Harry Potter fanfic, check out Fanatical Fics and Where to Find Them. To hear her make rom-coms terrifying, check out But Make It Scary. Follow her on Instagram and TikTok at @sequoiasimone.Cast and Crew of CluelessNext Episode: Emma of 83rd StreetOur show art was created by Torrence Browne, and our audio is produced by Graham Cook. For bios and transcripts, check out our website at podandprejudice.com. Pod and Prejudice is transcribed by speechdocs.com. To support the show, check out our Patreon!Instagram: @podandprejudiceTwitter: @podandprejudiceFacebook: Pod and PrejudiceYoutube: Pod and PrejudiceMerch store: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/pod-and-prejudice?ref_id=23216

Jane Fairfax is in town, so it's time for a deep dive into her story. As an orphan without inheritance, her visit to Highbury is her last hurrah before accepting her fate as a governess. Emma is charmed by her elegance, but underwhelmed by Jane's personality - so cold, and worst of all, boring. But boring is perfect to help you settle in to another night of restful sleep. ----- Welcome to the Jane Austen Bedtime Stories podcast! Each episode is a section of a classic Jane Austen novel, read in soothing tones and set to calming music to help you fall asleep. With everything that is going on in the world, we find comfort in the familiar. For so many of us, Jane Austen's works are like a warm hug. So snuggle up under the covers and let the comforting words of Jane Austen lull you into sleep. ----- Music ["Reverie"] by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. – www.scottbuckley.com.au --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jabedtimepod/support

Emma, still trying to distract Harriet from Mr. Elton, comes up with the perfect solution - a visit to the Bates household. Unfortunately for Emma, this means listening to Miss Bates's endless commentary about Jane Fairfax (who is coming to Highbury next week). But fortunately for you, dear listener, Miss Bates's musings are perfect to lull you off into a night of peaceful and restful sleep. ----- Welcome to the Jane Austen Bedtime Stories podcast! Each episode is a section of a classic Jane Austen novel, read in soothing tones and set to calming music to help you fall asleep. With everything that is going on in the world, we find comfort in the familiar. For so many of us, Jane Austen's works are like a warm hug. So snuggle up under the covers and let the comforting words of Jane Austen lull you into sleep. ----- Music ["Reverie"] by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. – www.scottbuckley.com.au --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jabedtimepod/support

In this episode we unravel the secrets of Jane Austen's classic novel, Emma, focusing on the often overlooked narrative of Jane Fairfax and Frank Churchill's clandestine engagement. Teaming up with Ellis from the Historian Ellis Blog, we chat about where the clues to Jane and Frank's secret engagement are concealed in the most unsuspecting places and our feelings about their relationship as a whole. Jane and Frank introduce a unique dynamic to Austen's tightly-knit village setting, their complex pasts adding a layer of mystery and speculation that's begging to be dissected. We delve deep into Frank's manipulative tactics and explore his motivations behind the oddly timed gift of a piano. We challenge you to consider the societal implications of their actions as we further examine Emma's opinion of women's roles and Frank's impropriety in engaging with other women while committed to Jane.  As we venture into the complexities of Austen's narrative, we invite you to uncover the obscured truths and decipher the hidden meanings within her masterful storytelling for yourself. Leave no stone unturned and no secret engagement undiscovered!This podcast is about Janeites coming together, discussing Jane Austen's work, and having a few laughs along the way. We really enjoyed making this episode and we hope you like it! Please follow and subscribe to keep up with all the upcoming episodes.Where can you find Ellis? Instagram: @historian_ellis Hear El on the following podcast episodes: Episode 1 Episode 7 Episode 14Support the showWhere can you find your host (Izzy)? Website: www.whattheausten.com Podcast Instagram: @whattheaustenPersonal Instagram: @izzymeakinYoutube: What the Austen? Podcast

Jane Fairfax has received a mystery piano, along with some new music, and Frank Churchill is here to tell Emma all about it. This episode we break down the reference to Cramer in Emma. We also chat with Dr. Karali Hunter who stops by to trace the development of the étude from Cramer to Chopin, as well as talk to us about the process of recording our new intro and outro music. Thank you so much to Karali for joining us for this episode and for recording our new music, Cramer's étude, No. 21! You can learn more about her and her work at https://www.karalihunter.com, https://hammerandstrings.com, and https://www.salonnieres.org. You can find us online at https://www.thethingaboutausten.com and follow us on Instagram @TheThingAboutAusten and on Twitter @Austen_Things. You can also email us at TheThingAboutAusten@gmail.com.

Harriet reveals who she's in love with and Emma realizes something important about herself....that's right, Emma loves KNIGHTLEY! Plus, we get a bit of Jane's side of the story. Topics discussed include Emma being a lady himbo, the devastating end (???) of Robert Martin, the possibility that Jane Austen invented shipping, and Emma's Ben and Jerry's playlist.Study questions: Topics discussed include the comparison between Jane and Harriet, Knightley's feelings about Harriet, Harriet and Emma's friendship, Emma's feelings for Knightley, and Jane Austen's feelings about all of it. Funniest quote: "Mr. Weston had thought differently; he was extremely anxious to shew his approbation to Miss Fairfax and her family, and did not conceive that any suspicion could be excited by it; or if it were, that it would be of any consequence; for “such things,” he observed, “always got about.” Emma smiled, and felt that Mr. Weston had very good reason for saying so."Questions moving forward: Does Mr. Knightley love Harriet? Does he love Emma? Frank and Jane...why?Who wins the chapters? Jane Fairfax!Glossary of Terms and Phrases:captious (adj.): tending to find fault or raise petty objections.expiation (n): the act of making amends or reparation for guilt or wrongdoing; atonement.tautology (n): the saying of the same thing twice in different words, generally considered to be a fault of style.Glossary of People, Places, and Things: Zoey 101, Gilmore Girls, Mean Girls, Reylo, Adele, Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, M3gan, WickedNext Episode: Vol. III Chapters 13-15 or Chapters 49-51Our show art was created by Torrence Browne, and our audio is produced by Graham Cook. For bios and transcripts, check out our website at podandprejudice.com. Pod and Prejudice is transcribed by speechdocs.com. To support the show, check out our Patreon!Instagram: @podandprejudiceTwitter: @podandprejudiceFacebook: Pod and PrejudiceYoutube: Pod and PrejudiceMerch store: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/pod-and-prejudice?ref_id=23216

This is a LibriVox public domain recording. Jane Austen famously described Emma Woodhouse, the title character of her 1815 novel, as "a heroine whom no-one but myself will much like." Yet generations of readers have loved Emma, as much for her blunders as for her wit and vivacity. Emma, "handsome, clever, and rich," has nothing else to do but try to pair off her friends, and she consistently mis-reads the relationships and situations around her as much as she mis-reads her own heart. The novel features a wonderful cast of characters, including Emma's hypochondriac father, the odiously prideful Mrs. Elton, the mysterious and reserved Jane Fairfax, and Miss Bates, who never stops talking. (Summary by Elizabeth Klett). --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/colin-holbrook/support

Welcome to the Page to Screen edition of the Yadkin County Public Library Podcast, where each month, we'll be discussing a book that has been turned into a movie or TV series, as well as the reception of each. This month we'll be discussing Emma by Jane Austen. Emma, the main protagonist of this story, is young, rich and independent. She has decided not to get married and instead spends her time organising her acquaintances' love affairs. Her plans for the matrimonial success of her new friend Harriet, however, lead her into complications that ultimately test her own detachment from the world of romance. Novelist Read A-likes for Emma include: 1. Emma by Alexander McCall Smith 2. Emma by Crystal Silvermoon 3. Pride & Prejudice by Stacy King 4. Emma by Nancy Butler 5. Jane Austen's Pride & prejudice by Laurence Sach 6. The secret diary of Lydia Bennet by Natasha Farrant 7. Nicola and the Viscount Meg Cabot 8. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte Other Jane Austen related fiction books include sequels to Austen's works by the author Joan Aiken ( Mansfield Revisited, Jane Fairfax, Eliza's Daughter, Emma Watson, The Youngest Miss Ward, Lady Catherine's Necklace); books by Shannon Hale (Austenland, Midnight in Austenland) , books by Laurie Viera Rigler (Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict, Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict), as well as the Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler. Other library staff will be bringing you more topics each week. Be sure to check back each Wednesday at 1 pm for a new episode. Be sure to contact us if you have questions, and visit our social media and website for more great resources. • Phone: 336-679-8792 • Email: ydk@nwrl.org • nwrlibrary.org/yadkin • www.facebook.com/yadkincountypubliclibrary • www.pinterest.com/yadkinlibrary • twitter.com/YadkinL • www.instagram.com/yadkincountypubliclibrary

Frank Churchill finally comes to visit, and Emma picks up on some vibes. Plus, we get some hot goss about Jane Fairfax. Topics discussed include what kind of dog Emma is and which Gilmore guy Frank is.Study questions: Topics discussed include Emma's reaction to Harriet's visit with the Martins, first impressions of Frank, why/how Frank visited, Frank's relationship to Highbury, the VIBES, and some predictions about Jane and Mr. Dixon.Funniest quote: "Her own father's perfect exemption from any thought of the kind, the entire deficiency in him of all such sort of penetration or suspicion, was a most comfortable circumstance. Happily he was not farther from approving matrimony than from foreseeing it.—Though always objecting to every marriage that was arranged, he never suffered beforehand from the apprehension of any; it seemed as if he could not think so ill of any two persons' understanding as to suppose they meant to marry till it were proved against them."Questions moving forward: What's going on between Frank and Jane? What's going on between Jane and Mr. Dixon? What's going to happen with the Martins?Who wins the chapters? The Weston boys!Glossary of People, Places, and Things: Eminem, Leonardo DiCaprio, Eric Andre, Dominic Cooper, Matt Czuchry, Prince HalNext Episode: Vol. II Chapters 7-8 OR Chapters 25-26Our show art was created by Torrence Browne, and our audio is produced by Graham Cook. For bios and transcripts, check out our website at podandprejudice.com. Pod and Prejudice is transcribed by speechdocs.com. To support the show, check out our Patreon!Instagram: @podandprejudiceTwitter: @podandprejudiceFacebook: Pod and PrejudiceYoutube: Pod and PrejudiceMerch store: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/pod-and-prejudice?ref_id=23216

Mr. Elton is getting married! Harriet ran into the Martins! Plus, Emma and Knightley debrief on the party, Jane Fairfax and Miss Bates come to visit, and we learn about Miss Hawkins. Topics discussed include boiled pork and Schrödinger's Biological Father.Study questions: Topics discussed include why Knightley wants Emma to befriend Jane, the drama between Jane and Mr. Dixon, the merits of Mr. Elton's match, predictions about Mrs. Elton, and Emma's reaction to Harriet seeing Robert.Funniest quote: “She wished him very well, but he gave her pain, and his welfare twenty miles off would administer most satisfaction.”Questions moving forward: Augusta Hawkins: WHOMST? What's going to happen when Harriet visits the Martins? Why does Knightley want Jane and Emma to be friends?Who wins the chapters? Elizabeth MartinGlossary of People, Places, and Things: The Napoleonic Wars, Schrödinger's Cat, Teardrops on My Guitar, The OfficeNext Episode: Vol. II Chapters 5-6 OR Chapters 23-24Our show art was created by Torrence Browne, and our audio is produced by Graham Cook. For bios and transcripts, check out our website at podandprejudice.com. Pod and Prejudice is transcribed by speechdocs.com. To support the show, check out our Patreon!Instagram: @podandprejudiceTwitter: @podandprejudiceFacebook: Pod and PrejudiceYoutube: Pod and PrejudiceMerch store: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/pod-and-prejudice?ref_id=23216

Emma and Harriet visit the Bateses, and we get our first true introduction to Jane Fairfax. Topics discussed include chilled beans, cross-writing, what war was taking place when Emma was written, nuns, and why Emma might hate Jane.Study questions: Topics discussed include the Bateses purpose and why they talk too much, the children with dead parents of Highbury, and Jane Fairfax's class and romantic situation. Funniest quote: “Yes, so I imagined. I was afraid there could be little chance of my hearing any thing of Miss Fairfax to-day.”Questions moving forward: Who is Jane Fairfax and who will she fall in love with? Does she know Mr. Elton? Does she know Frank Churchill? Where's Harriet?Who wins the chapters? Mr. Knightley ;) Glossary of Terms and Phrases: huswife (n): a small case containing scissors, thread, needles, and other sewing things.Glossary of People, Places, and Things: Spongebob, A League of Their Own, Bridgerton, Keira Knightley, Jennifer EhleNext Episode: Vol. II Chapters 3-4 OR Chapters 21-22Our show art was created by Torrence Browne, and our audio is produced by Graham Cook. For bios and transcripts, check out our website at podandprejudice.com. Pod and Prejudice is transcribed by speechdocs.com. To support the show, check out our Patreon!Instagram: @podandprejudiceTwitter: @podandprejudiceFacebook: Pod and PrejudiceYoutube: Pod and PrejudiceMerch store: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/pod-and-prejudice?ref_id=23216

In chapters 11 and 12 of Emma, Isabella and John Knightley come to visit, we witness the battle of Wingfield v. Perry, and Emma and Knightley try to keep the peace. Topics discussed include gruel, mostly, and the mystery of Jane Fairfax.Study Questions: Topics discussed include the purpose of John and Isabella, what we've learned about Emma, why Knightley forgives Emma and how they operate together in the story, and the Churchills.Funniest Quote: "And for a little while she hoped he would not talk of it, and that a silent rumination might suffice to restore him to the relish of his own smooth gruel."Questions Moving Forward: Why do people hate the Churchills? Will Frank come to visit? What's up with Harriet and Elton?Who Wins the Chapters? Emma and KnightleyGlossary of Terms and Phrases:forbearance (n): patient self-control; restraint and tolerancephilippic (n): a bitter attack or denunciationGlossary of People, Places, and Things: Gilmore Girls, Celine Dion, Goldilocks, Fiddler on the Roof, Aladdin, Mean GirlsNext Episode: Chapters 13-14Pod and Prejudice is sponsored by Athletic Greens. To get a full year's supply of Vitamin D AND 5 free travel packs with your first purchase of AG1, head on over to athleticgreens.com/WHOMST.Our show art was created by Torrence Browne, and our audio is produced by Graham Cook. For bios and transcripts, check out our website at podandprejudice.com. Pod and Prejudice is transcribed by speechdocs.com. To support the show, check out our Patreon!Instagram: @podandprejudiceTwitter: @podandprejudiceFacebook: Pod and PrejudiceYoutube: Pod and PrejudiceMerch store: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/pod-and-prejudice?ref_id=23216

In this week's episode, discussing chapters 9 and 10 of Emma, Elton writes a poem, Emma and Harriet visit a poor family, and Emma ties her shoes a bunch. Topics discussed include book club, Molly's new CROOSH, potential ace representation, and inklings of Jane Fairfax.Study Questions: Topics discussed include Elton's poem, Harriet's change of heart, Emma's relationship with her dad, Elton's motives, Emma's marriage monologue, Jane Fairfax, and Molly's qualm with Emma.Funniest Quote: "The course of true love never did run smooth. A Hartfield edition of Shakespeare would have a long note on that passage." OR "Emma was very compassionate; and the distresses of the poor were as sure of relief from her personal attention and kindness, her counsel and her patience, as from her purse."Questions Moving Forward: Who does Elton like? Is Mr. Martin coming back? Who is Jane Fairfax?Who Wins the Chapters? Emma!Glossary of Terms and Phrases:crisis (n): a time when a difficult or important decision must be madeGlossary of People, Places, and Things: The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Perry the Platypus, The Great Believers, The Power of Geography, The Great British Baking Show, Chopped, TJ Klune, Gilmore GirlsNext Episode: Chapters 11-12Pod and Prejudice is sponsored by Athletic Greens. To get a full year's supply of Vitamin D AND 5 free travel packs with your first purchase of AG1, head on over to athleticgreens.com/WHOMST.Our show art was created by Torrence Browne, and our audio is produced by Graham Cook. For bios and transcripts, check out our website at podandprejudice.com. Pod and Prejudice is transcribed by speechdocs.com. To support the show, check out our Patreon!Instagram: @podandprejudiceTwitter: @podandprejudiceFacebook: Pod and PrejudiceYoutube: Pod and PrejudiceMerch store: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/pod-and-prejudice?ref_id=23216

This week we're headed to Weymouth to check out the scene of Jane Fairfax and Frank Churchill's courtship. Join us as we first peruse the daily schedule of resort lifestyle activities and then examine the ways in which Austen uses Weymouth as a breadcrumb trail clue. You can find us online at www.TheThingAboutAusten.com and follow us on Instagram @TheThingAboutAusten and on Twitter @Austen_Things. You can also email us at TheThingAboutAusten@gmail.com.

Überall, wo Emma auftaucht, spricht man über die anmutige, bürgerliche Jane Fairfax. Emma ist eifersüchtig und kann Jane so gar nicht leiden. Mit Katja Riemann, Laura Balzer, Marina Frenk, Michael Rotschopf und Leonie Rainer.

Jane Fairfax has recently received a selection of music, and we're here to unpack the significance of that "new set of Irish melodies." Spoiler alert: Frank Churchill has some explaining to do. If you have ever received a mystery gift, this episode is for you. Thank you to Salonnières for letting us share part of their gorgeous arrangement of "The Last Rose of Summer" as our outro music this week. You can learn more about Salonnières on their website, www.salonnieres.org and find their albums on iTunes. You can find us online at www.TheThingAboutAusten.com and follow us on Instagram @TheThingAboutAusten and on Twitter @Austen_Things. You can also email us at TheThingAboutAusten@gmail.com.

Hello friends,It's a new Monday of a new year. Hope yours is fantastic. And however it is, and wherever you are, here's some Jane Austen podcasting to power your Monday. Louis Menand is a New Yorker writer and a Harvard professor who tries to get his Harvard students to read and understand and appreciate the stories of Jane Austen, among other classic authors - that's his day job. He co-teaches and co-founded a year-long freshman Humanities course at Harvard, with author and professor Stephen Greenblatt - the course is called “Humanities 10: An Introductory Humanities Colloquium.” Menand says that the conversations in that popular Harvard class - and also the ways we read Jane Austen - are getting more global in scope, and more historical. Our perspectives, you might say, are expanding. This conversation is the last of our Season 2 series of podcast episodes - you can listen to the entire series on Spotify and Apple,  or play/stream them straight from the Austen Connection website. It was a New Yorker article Louis Menand wrote in September 2020 that captured our attention: Titled “How to Misread Jane Austen,” the piece examines current books and thinking about Austen, and how she is interpreted in today's world. The ideas of Austen scholars like Helena Kelly, author of Jane Austen, the Secret Radical, and Tom Keymer, author of Jane Austen: Writing, Society, Politics, are explored.Menand is himself the author of several books uniting history, culture, and ideas: His latest is The Free World: Art and Thought in the Cold War. We interrupted Menand's book tour to see if he'd like to take a break from the Cold War to talk with us about Jane Austen. Lucky for us - he welcomed the diversion.Menand says Austen is important not just as an early, seminal novelist in English, but also as an innovator. You have to understand Austen to understand groundbreaking experimentalists like James Joyce. Like anyone teaching Austen, Menand and his colleagues also have to get creative in the effort to convince their students about the relevancy of the Regency world. Drawing from wedding and marriage announcements in the New York Times and the New York Daily News, professors Menand and Greenblatt get their freshmen students to see that we're all inhabiting a world of status and class, and money and marriage, that we have to navigate. In this conversation, Menand discussed the Courtship Plot and how part of understanding marriage in Austen is understanding math in Austen. That specific Regency-era formula for capital, interest rates, and income is key to decoding the motivations and the stakes influencing Austen's heroes and heroines. We also talked about the novel Emma. For Professor Menand, this novel is really about Frank Churchill and Jane Fairfax. As many of you know, I very much agree!Enjoy this conversation!—--And, thank you for tuning in, friends.Please let us know any comments or back-talk you have for us on any of the dialogue here - about math, marriage, money, and Austen. And: Jane Fairfax and Frank Churchill and Emma. And, who out there is teaching Jane Austen?As a journalism professor who has never taught literature, it'd be wonderful to hear how you take on the challenge of making Austen relevant and engaging to students today - whether at the high school, college, or graduate level. Any special tricks? New approaches? General philosophy? Get in touch, teachers. You can simply reply or email us at austenconnection@gmail.com - or comment here: Meanwhile, thanks for listening.Have a wonderful, safe, first week of this hopeful 2022,Yours truly,Plain Jane Cool linksLouis Menand's The Free World Helena Kelly's Jane Austen, the Secret Radical Tom Keymer's Jane Austen: Writing, Society, Politics If you are contributing as a paid subscriber to the Austen Connection, you are a member of the Charlotte Lucas Loyalty Club - and you rock. Thank you! If you appreciate this podcast, project, and the labor that goes into creating it, and would like to support the work, you can contribute as a paid subscriber and join the Charlotte Lucas Loyalty Club. You are also very welcome to sign up for the newsletter and join this community for free. The Austen Connection is free and available to everyone. Thank you for being here.  Get full access to The Austen Connection at austenconnection.substack.com/subscribe

Hey, y'all -   Here begins our content on one of the 1996 adaptations of "Emma." We're of course starting with the one starring Gwyneth Paltrow. In this episode, we discuss the first half of the film, right up until Jane Fairfax shows Emma what's up dueling pianos-style. Did you know that friend of the show Amelia Buzzell has seen this move well over 1,000 times? She's got some love for and THOUGHTS about it, so listen up.   Lots of love - Julie, Allison, Janine and Amelia

Hello friends,Today, a podcast episode!It would not have been possible to have our Everything Emma month here at the Austen Connection without consulting Professor George Justice. Dr. Justice is the editor of the 2011 Norton Critical Edition of Emma, a professor of 18th Century British literature, and a frequent contributor to the Chronicle of Higher Education. And he's also the husband of Austen scholar, author, and friend Devoney Looser, who tells the story of their romantic meet-cute in a previous Austen Connection episode. Consult him we did, and the conversation was really fun, because: Emma is fun, just as it is also complex, surprising, baffling, and romantic. All of this complexity comes out in the conversation with George Justice. We explore what's going on with Austen men, what's going on with Austen women, and how romance and power get wrapped up in the stories of Austen. I first met Dr. Justice on the campus of the University of Missouri, where he served as dean of the graduate school. Now, he is a professor of English at Arizona State University. But in the process of that journey, from Missouri to Arizona, and from administration back to the classroom, he rediscovered the power of teaching Jane Austen.  This journey also has involved a recovery from a serious illness, and Dr. Justice says one of the things that got him through tough times has been reading Jane Austen, and talking about Jane Austen with his students. We spoke on a recent sunny Saturday, by Zoom. Here's an edited excerpt from our conversation:*Please note: There is a light mention of sexual assault in this conversation, about 20 minutes in, and again at 40 about minutes.Plain JaneI'm so glad that you're sharing your beautiful Saturday morning. Let me just ask a little bit about your work, George. So you're obviously on English literature with a focus on women's writing and publishing. And you're writing a book on Jane Austen, as a writer for Reaktion Books, the “Critical Lives” series. You also write about higher education, very compellingly, in the Chronicle of Higher Education. What, in all of this, are you most focused on and most passionate about, like, right this minute?George JusticeI can't say there is one thing because you're right, you just outlined the two major threads of my career as they've evolved. They both involve students, higher education, and places where I think I can contribute. But on the literature side, it feels like a miracle to me to be able to write about Jane Austen, to do research on Jane Austen, and especially, to teach Jane Austen to undergraduate students, which I can't imagine a more enjoyable thing that I can pretend is productive for myself to do. But my most recently published book is How to Be a Dean from the Johns Hopkins University Press. So figuring out ways, outside of administration, to take my passion for higher education to make structural change, structural change that is also focused on the individual. And I think that's something that maybe I'll be able to bring back to a discussion of the novels, genre, and to teaching. I love thinking about what the novel is. But what I also love is what it means to individual human beings to change their lives and do great things in the world.Plain Jane George, you said something else, about your illness, which you handled, it seemed, so gracefully. But I know that it's been huge. And in some ways, you were hit by this turn-the-world-upside-down thing. And then the world itself was turned upside down, not too long later. So in some ways, we're all kind of stunned. But you look the picture of health, and it's so great to see it. What were you reading during this time? Can Jane Austen get you through something like that?George JusticeTo me, it was therapeutic. It was therapeutic not only to reread her books, and to dig back in, more generally, to 18th century literature, but I was a little shaky, you know, I had been very sick. I had not from my own choice been thrust out of a job that I had spent 70 hours working on actively, and the rest of my life kind of thinking about, when I got into the classroom, and started teaching Jane Austen again. And it was absolutely life-changing. And I realized, that is what the life of an educator should be. And it was really … a life-changing class for me, not only because it marked kind of re-entry into a different kind of career: But the students were so shockingly great to me. To me, having these students in that class, loving Jane Austen and understanding things about Jane Austen, was transformational in my understanding about what the rest of my life and the rest of my career are going to be. I can bring together a complete passion for bringing Jane Austen not just to white, upper-middle class students at a private liberal arts college, but at Arizona State University, 120,000 students. It's now a Hispanic serving institution. It serves many, many first generation and low-income students, and they love Jane Austen. Not only with as much passion, but with at least as much insight as any students I've ever had anywhere else in my life. That class changed my life, when I had these students engaging with such depth and brilliance with the texts.Plain Jane That's amazing. I hear you George, I think that's true. It is life changing. And this project arose also from the difficult times, the winter of the pandemic, and just looking for something to lift you up and a community to engage in. What you're describing, going into that classroom, sharing Austen, but then also having some brilliance shared back at you and just literally connecting around the stories. But you know, the Norton Anthology that you edited and curated came out almost 20 years ago. And you may have not looked at it recently. I have. But you were talking about the power of Jane Austen, then, so it's Everything Emma in the Austen connection right now.George JusticeGood for me.Plain Jane Yes. Well, is Emma your favorite novel of all time?George JusticeOh, that is a a very difficult question. And I know because you talked to Devoney and you had Devoney on your podcast a couple of weeks ago. In that now infamous conversation, I declared to Devoney that Mansfield Park was my favorite novel. And I do love Mansfield Park … because it was the first one that grabbed me. I mean, I was assigned it in a class my first year of grad school. I didn't read it until then, and I started reading it and it was just one of those amazing things, but my life was changed: How could I not have seen this or understood this in my past 22 years of life? I stayed up all night reading it, and it was like an onslaught. If you ask me, yes, that was my favorite. Plain Jane Well, I'm just curious. It seems to me like you were a more mature 22 year old. I mean, I read Mansfield Park when I was just out of college. Weirdly, I've never been assigned much Jane Austen at all. I just discovered it after all of the degrees - it was only two degrees - in English. … It wasn't until later that I realized there's a heck of a lot going on with Austen. What were you noticing? Why were you reading it up late at night? I mean … I had kind of a weird education, up until college. But you had a good education. So maybe you did have the training to spot the subtexts.George JusticeI don't know if it was about the subtext. I think it was about Fanny Price. Plain JaneYou like the underdog! Devoney said this … George Justice  The underdog and the person with depth, with a strong, correct, and unassailable moral code, oppressed by the world. I mean, that was a thing that just for whatever reason, maybe, from my high school years, which were kind of miserable, the person who was neglected. I mean, it just spoke to me, this whole world moving around in a cynical and nasty way. And yet, there's a moral center to that world, which was Fanny Price. So it wasn't even, it was not a literary reading, where I was looking at themes and context. It was Fanny Price. Who is, as you know, of such huge controversy in the Jane Austen world, because there are so many self-proclaimed Janeites who hate Fanny Price. To me, Fanny Price is the true center of Jane Austen. Which is why I found the film both interesting and disturbing, because Patricia Rozema melds Jane Austen and Fanny Price together, which I think actually weakens Fanny Price. But I do believe that the role of Fanny Price in the world, and especially in her world, is a truth about the social world. And it grabbed me. To me, Fanny Price is the true center of Jane Austen. … I do believe that the role of Fanny Price in the world, and especially in her world, is a truth about the social world. And it grabbed me. And the unbelievable moment when she turns down Henry Crawford. I always bring it up in class and I ask my students, “Should she have accepted Henry Crawford?” And the ones who read it correctly but glibly, always say, “Of course not.” The ones who are very cynical say, “Of course she should.” The real answer is, “I don't know.” Because that actually is the answer that the narrator provides to some extent. I just thought it captured a truth about the choices we have to make in the world, and the possibility of choosing good, not as an obvious choice, and not as a glibly self-justifying choice. But as a choice that resonates as truth within one's own moral complexity.Plain JaneI agree with everything you're saying about Fanny Price. … She is ascendant. And you talk about Henry Crawford: She's superior. Like, you can't read that without thinking, “This child, this female child of the species, is superior to everyone. What are you gonna do with that, people? What are you going to do with that? Not even the parsonage and Edmund and not even the grand estate of Mansfield Park is worthy of this child. So, take that!” And I don't know if people really see it that way. You say it's still a little controversial. But you saw this when you were 22?George Justice Well, I think it was a weakness in my psychology.Plain Jane No, because Austen was showing you. Austen was showing you. But we just, I feel like there's still so much to unpack with Austen with every new generation. George JusticeAnd she shows it to you both without humiliating her and without glorifying her. So, as you were talking so eloquently, what came into my mind [is] another woman author of the 19th century, George Eliot and Middlemarch and Dorothea Brooke, and Dorothea Brooke is both humiliated and glorified. You are right, Fanny Price tears everything down. The humiliations are our humiliations from society, not from the writer. I mean, Dorothea Brooke is somewhat humiliated by George Eliot. Jane Austen never humiliates Fanny Price, even if Mrs. Norris is there brutalizing her, but she's definitely not glorifying her either. Fanny Price comes back, and in some ways you could say she assimilates herself to the patriarchy, she marries her cousin, the bossy Edmund  - I don't even think he even fully 100% appreciates her but maybe that's just me. I think I would have been better for Fanny Price than he is.Plain JaneYou would have, George! And no, Austen does not want us to love Edmund, you know? That's clear. She does not love Edmund. We're giving our opinions here! So let us know, people, if you disagree. But yeah, but I love what you're saying, George, that Austen is not humiliating. And in fact, it's not really Fanny tearing things down. Right? Fanny is not doing that; Austen is doing that. And the world is humiliating. The world is full of humiliations, insults, injuries. And here's how you stand. Here's how you stand in this. You point out something in your writing that I want to get to too, which is that there's imagination. This is, in some ways, a fantasy of what can happen. This is re-envisioning a world where a young woman, a young person who identifies as female, a young person who identifies as however you identify, whatever your race, color, sexuality, gender, you - just as a human - you can stand, and this is how you might survive and maybe even be ascendant. Even though it's not necessarily going to happen in real life.So, Mansfield Park. The next novel Austen wrote, I believe, right after Emma. How does she go from Fanny Price to this heroine that has so little to vex her?George Justice When you look at Mansfield Park, which is certainly an experiment in light of Pride and Prejudice, and Sense and Sensibility, and a novelist who is a genius and who is shaping the form and breaking the form at the same time that she's inhabiting it. In a way it's the right next experiment. You take somebody who's very much unlike Fanny Price. She's wealthy. She's beautiful. She's admired. She never makes social mistakes. Really. She is the queen of the world, as opposed to Cinderella. So Fanny Price is Cinderella. Emma is one of the wicked sisters. Yet, and the brilliant ... “I'm going to create a heroine nobody but myself will much like”: That's something an artist would do. It's a kind of intellectual game. But unlike the way postmodern novels sometimes [create] experiments without a heart. It's an experiment in which life overwhelms whatever kind of intellectual experiment may have given rise, to trying to write about an entirely different character, because there is just as much life in Emma, as there is in Mansfield Park. And there is in its own way, just as much integrity in the character of Emma, as there is in the character Fanny Price.Plain Jane It's interesting because she's taking us on this roller coaster ride. So she's like, “Here, I showed you the poor, mousy Cinderella, who becomes ascendent. How does that happen? Now I'm going to show you somebody who - as you say, George - the queen, she's at the top. But she also is going to change and evolve. And in both cases, she's focusing on what matters to her, which is character, and kindness, and how to exist in the world - not to just be on top because that's not the goal, people - we're still getting that memo. But it's to be a contributor, a good citizen, a kind person. How do you feel about that, that aspect of this, that she's got someone on the bottom there, she's got a female character that's already at the top. But yet, what are the themes that remained the same? George JusticeWell, I think you actually just put it in a way that crystallizes something for me. And it's what I become much more self-conscious about …  in life: which is that kindness is at the core. And so that's not something that I wrote about in the introduction that you very kindly mentioned, to the Norton Critical Edition. But it is something that is absolutely true. And I point out to students, you know, [Emma] does what she's supposed to do. She visits the poor, she's charitable to the poor. And that's the kind of structural kindness, and she doesn't do it cynically. So there is a goodness to her character that gets expressed. And kindness. Of course, as we know, she's not always kind to some of the people that are closest to her, including Miss Bates, including Jane Fairfax. … One of the prevalent readings of Emma continues to be that Emma is … humiliated into kindness. The scene on Box Hill, where she is so cruel to Miss Bates, and so out of touch with her surroundings, because one thing about Emma is that she is unbelievably … perceptive about the world around her, at the same time that she doesn't put all the clues together. So she's this detective who's taking in all the evidence, and then she can't quite put it together to understand what's going on. Like Mr. Elton trying to rape her in the carriage - when anybody who had been reading it, anybody in Emma's position should have been able to see exactly what was happening. But that's very different from Box Hill, where she's not even perceptive. … But at the same time, that is a crucial moment in which she certainly sees the world more clearly and is able to correlate her kindness as you put it, this is correlated with her role in the social hierarchy, and her own personal satisfaction and romance. And it doesn't stamp out her imagination. Her imagination is still there. … No, she's a brilliantly imaginative person who doesn't have a job where she can do anything with it. … I love Mr. Knightley. But Emma, Emma wins the novel. And she wins novel not because she makes some sort of cynical or moral change from who she was, to who she will be as Mrs. George Knightley. It's because she has reshaped her world - uncomfortably because we're still in patriarchal, early 19th century England. But she shaped a world in which she can continue to love, be kind, have a lot of nice things, be admired by other people, which she certainly loves to do. And do good in the world. Plain JaneSo speaking of Knightley: You love Knightley. You say something in your intro [to the Norton Critical Edition]: Emma is being forced to recalibrate the cultural and the social hierarchy. She thinks she knows this social hierarchy. She has that classic definition of privilege, where it's not something she has to think about. She's just at the top of it. But she in fact is wrong about it, and then it turns out - you point this out - she's recalibrating, but that recalibration is coming every single time from challenges from Knightley. How does a romance and marriage and all of this fit into this recalibration and what is it like, also George, reading this as as a person identifying as a man reading that?George Justice Hmm, let me backtrack a little bit into how you've set this up in a very interesting, complicated way. It is Austen who has given Knightley those characteristics and that genuine insight into the world. Mr. Knightley really does understand and he's older - I mean, it grosses my students out how significantly older Mr. Knightley is. And he's kind to her and he's loved her since  - that also grosses out the students ...Plain Jane … for some reason Austen likes that older, very older, powerful guy to be the one just kind of showing us the way. I mean, she gives that power, and who knows why she does that. George JusticeBut it's not just giving him the power. It's also, I do believe, he is speaking for her. He is speaking correctly. The brilliant, writer, critic named Sarah Raff wrote a wonderful essay that talks about Emma and Mr. Knightley and Emma's relationship in the context of the letters of advice that Jane Austen is writing to her niece, who's trying to decide whom to marry. And there is a bullying, authoritative voice and approach to her niece, that mirrors a little bit of this relationship. It's a it's a great essay about it.Emma wins the novel. … because she has reshaped her world - uncomfortably because we're still in patriarchal, early 19th century England. But she shaped a world in which she can continue to love, be kind, have a lot of nice things, be admired by other people, which she certainly loves to do. And do good in the world. Plain JaneIf you're a woman, Regency writer, you're a genius, and you see the world and you're reflecting the world, there'll be some things that … occur when you have genius and imagination and art intersecting, right? Some things are going to occur to us 206 years later that you didn't envision, but … she's giving Knightley her viewpoints because people will listen to Knightley. People will listen to Knightley and not necessarily listen to someone else.George Justice And maybe in a romantic relationship - this is utter speculation! - she'd be more the Knightley character. And so you know, we do have these interesting intersections of gender, power and attraction. Plain JaneI love that we don't know how Jane Austen identified 100%. We have no idea. She may have identified with Knightley, she might have been in love with Emma, she might have ... Who knows? I think that's wonderful. And that's a whole other aspect we could dive into which is the LGBTQI critical approaches and queer theory approaches to Austen. Really the question we were discussing, sorry, is how it all ends up in the hands of Knightley, but also how to channel all of this into romance?George Justice Oh, yeah. I mean, because it is romantic. And I know there are some against-the-grain readers who don't find the love between Emma and Mr. Knightley plausible. I am not one of them. I find the scene - and it's a scene in which despite the fact that Mr. Knightley has just dressed her down and made her weep - the narrative is constructed so that Emma is allowed in private to have her moment of internal revelation that no one but she must marry Mr. Knightley. And then she also finally, instead of being clueless, she figures out that he likes her. So in that, it is a, to me, it's a wonderful thing. When he he starts, you know, “Can I talk to you?” And Emma's a little nervous. Because she doesn't 100% know. But as the conversation gets going, she knows exactly what's coming. And so the power is turned. Emma actually knows before he knows that Mr. Knightley is going to propose to her and that she will say yes. Before Mr. Knightley understands that. And so he's, like, mortified: I shouldn't go on. And she's like: No, no, go ahead and go on. And it's an interesting power dynamic. And I'm certainly not the person who's seen this first or seen it best. Claudia Johnson's [written] about Mr. Knightley as a character who is very masculine. And yet he's a kind of new man, because he is truly emotionally sensitive to Emma. [I]t is romantic. And I know there are some against-the-grain readers who don't find the love between Emma and Mr. Knightley plausible. I am not one of them.What is interesting in the romance is that power is so completely built into the sexual energy between Mr. Knightley and Emma. He was a teenager, looking at a little girl. And as they grew up, he would kind of mock her and tease her. And she'd flirt with him, totally unafraid of this older guy, really. So I mean, she was herself, who really has the power there? And …  in the context of Box Hill, where he really has, you know, put his hand down, if you reread the novel from the beginning, Mr. Knightley doesn't have really any power over her. He has her total respect, but she has the power of doing what she wants. And that really is what comes through at the end - that this powerful romance, which I think it is not a kind of dominance-submission thing. It is really a romance of two morally and intellectually equal people. They are very masculine and very feminine - it's interesting if you get into the GLBTQ thing, because there is a long history of people seeing Emma not as being a woman. But we shouldn't forget that it's very clear … and Jan Fergus points this out really beautifully in an essay that I put at the back of my Norton Critical Edition: We linger over the feminine, beautiful form of Emma. But her mind is powerfully intellectual. … Even as it's kind. She is a kind, intellectually brilliant person who answers to nobody. So where you might see it as, “She makes all these lists of books that she hasn't read!” … That shows her power. She has the intellectual power to know what she should do. And she has the intellectual power and the judgment to say, “I'm not going to do it.” And is happy to live within the structures, the class structures, the social structures, the architectural structures of her society. But she kind of scoffs at any structures that would restrain her moral and intellectual worth. Plain Jane  Well, it's almost like she doesn't even notice those structures. She's like, clueless in some interesting ways.George Justice Yes, but I, but I don't think it's clueless overall.  … She's clear-sighted and not insecure. She's totally non-insecure. It's kind of amazing.Plain JaneWell, it's interesting describing her power. It's true. Like you say, Austen's not humiliating these characters with Emma, she's doing the opposite. She's showing someone who is not only superior, but she's artificially superior. Emma's so powerful, she can be as wrong as the Eltons and the, you know, all of the wrong patriarchal figures. Emma's wrong and artificially propped up just like they are. But she has this transformation that comes from this this man. .. There was a little post I did called The Smartest Person in the Room. ...I feel like maybe Austen wanted someone, man/woman/person to be as smart as she was. That's a hard way to go through the world when marriage is your option. Who is going to be smart enough for Jane Austen? She didn't find it. She created stories with people who find it. But at the same time, obviously, she showed us so much more than that romance.George Justice  That's sad! And it's very true. Let's go through from the beginning: I'm just going to ask you. Do you think Mr. Darcy is worthy of Elizabeth Bennet?Plain Jane  Yes, I believe that. It seems to me like Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett make each other worthy of each other. It seems to me like the both characters You want to just focus on Darcy and Elizabeth for a minute? George Justice  Yeah, I mean, I'm going to go through the whole list.Plain Jane Externally, he's worthy, right? He's a ticket. Internally, not so much. But because he transforms, they make each other better. I feel like they make each other better. And I feel like Austin is showing us that marriage - if you're going to get married, make sure it's somebody who will make you better and not make you worse. And she's full of examples of people who make each other worse.George JusticeThe Crofts. Admiral and Mrs. Croft make each other better.Plain JaneAnd are they the only ones?!George JusticeThey probably are. I want to go [through the list] because I think this is something I haven't thought of. We already said that Edmund really isn't worthy of Fanny. But Darcy is worthy of Elizabeth. Would you say that Edward is worthy of Elinor.Plain Jane Almost! He has potential. That little engagement on the side is extremely disappointing. But he needs to speak up. He needs to grow a spine. But he has potential Maybe with Elinor's extremely strong spine, those two will be all right. What do you think?George JusticeI don't think he's worthy of her. But he's whom she chose. And he's not terrible. That's like Edmund. It's, that's who Fanny wanted and he's not terrible. I'd say the same thing about Henry Tilney. Catherine Morland's not as fully developed a character. But he's, he's not a bad guy. We linger over the feminine, beautiful form of Emma. But her mind is powerfully intellectual. … Even as it's kind. She is a kind, intellectually brilliant person who answers to nobody.But if you take Mr. Darcy, and you take Captain Wentworth, and you take, Mr. Knightley, those are characters who embody - as I said, Claudia Johnson talks about it - these new men who are masculine and powerful, and yet have a sensitive intelligence to them, as well. And respect and value deeply the women that they're with. … This conversation has made me want to think about that. And why the last two, thinking about Persuasion, and Emma, the last two of those powerful men are truly worthy, I think. And you know, of course, I think the moment at the end of that letter, in Persuasion, is one of the most intense things. But I know a colleague who thinks it's camp, that it's purposely overdone. I don't believe that at all. I think it's one of the most beautiful things ever written in the English language.Plain Jane  It's so beautiful. I love your categorizing all these leading men, who's worthy, who's not. It's really interesting. You, okay, I had to pick up the Norton Edition, Claudia Johnson. Here's what she says: She says Knightley is “a fantastically wishful creation of benign authority, in whom the benefits and attractions of power are preserved, and the abuses and encroachments expelled.” So what do you think is going on with that as you categorize the leading men? That's Claudia Johnson's Knightley, wrapped up in power.George Justice And because authority and power are inherently not wrong things in these books. When I'm teaching classes, I bring it back to the authority and the power of the narrator, who is the actual authority and power in all of these novels. And I think that's partly why the turn from an epistolary novel, where, you know, it's harder to weld that to increasingly intense narrative strategies that express their authority, often by merging the voice through free indirect discourse, with the voice of the main character. So it is such a trick to have the most fully controlling and authoritative and benign narrators who efface themselves and express their authority and power, almost through their own self effacement.Plain Jane Let me George, read your own writing back to you, because this is so amazing. And it just kind of sums up everything that we said, and I have this kind of as our last question. You write almost 20 years ago in your introduction to the Norton Critical Edition. Here's what you wrote: “Reading Emma requires interaction. We impose meaning on the text just as the text pushes its various meanings on to us. Trying to understand Emma, with its interplay of psychological realism and moral vision, is like trying to understand ourselves and the world. We must be both introspective and exceedingly observant of what lies around us. Complete success eludes us. We must reread, reflect and change our minds, and perhaps become better people for having done so.” I almost cried when I read that!George Justice That's very kind (laughing). I can't believe I wrote that. It does sound pretty good. Plain JaneMy question for you with that is, Do you still think that? Twenty years later, almost 20 years later?George Justice Yeah. And that's an interesting thing I do. And it's an interesting thing, and it's humbling about teaching, and it's a wonderful thing about teaching. Like any teacher, when I teach a novel a lot of times, like I do with Emma, I have go-to points, I have shticks. I have different scenes I like to focus on. … So I'm, you know, leading, I like to talk about the carriage theme, for example, and I do have a strong reading, and Mr. Elton is basically raping Emma, and I want students to see the actual violence that is in that scene. It isn't just the sloppy, silly guy who is physically menacing in that space and in the way that he approached. But then students will say, “Well, I read it in this way.” And any good teacher has to be able to say, “Wow, I hadn't thought about that.” Just as your focusing on just your use of the word kindness, and putting that deeply into our conversation about Emma. I had not articulated it to myself in that way before. That's new to me. And I can tell you, I'm going to be thinking about that for months to come. So I do believe that every time I read this book, it's a new book to me. She's constructed the books so carefully that it's impossible to understand even what's happening, 20 times through the book, for me. And then when you add the increased complexity of how human beings interact with each other, and how the fixed and unfixed parts of their personality come into this complicated matrix of interaction. Yeah, it's a new book every time. And it's a new book that is morally compelling. Because it tells us to look at everything anew.Thanks for joining this conversation, friends.As always, let us know your thoughts on: Austen's men - who's Worthy and who's Not Worthy? Who makes your list? What are your thoughts on Emma, Knightley, and the power dynamics in Austen's romances? You can comment here!You can also find us on Twitter, at @AustenConnect and on Insta at @austenconnection.Meanwhile, stay in touch, and hope you enjoy a beautiful autumn with soups, teas, and lots of great novels.Yours truly,Plain JaneIf you liked this post, feel free to share it!Links:“Critical Lives” series - Reaktion Books: http://www.reaktionbooks.co.uk/results.asp?SF1=series_exact&ST1=CRITICALLIVES&DS=Critical%20Lives&SORT=sort_titleThe Norton Critical Edition of Emma:  https://wwnorton.com/books/9780393927641More on scholar and critic Claudia Johnson: https://english.princeton.edu/people/claudia-l-johnsonDever Justice LLC: https://deverjustice.com/about/How to Be a Dean - from Johns Hopkins University Press: https://jhupbooks.press.jhu.edu/title/how-be-dean Get full access to The Austen Connection at austenconnection.substack.com/subscribe

Today we'll dive into Jane Austen's Emma and investigate the meanings of the names of three of the main women: Emma Woodhouse, Harriet Smith, and Jane Fairfax. What is the history of these surnames? What do the names tell us about their characters? Did Austen do this intentionally? Was Jane Austen a wizard? We'll attempt to answer these and many more questions in our first foray into names in fiction!Dr. Octavio Cox Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCipwJ5GIKUYs2CcAhlcqjyw Sources:Articles:Fullerton, S. (1997). Jane Austen's Art of Naming. The Journal of the Jane Austen Society of North America-Persuasions, 9. http://www.jasna.org/persuasions/printed/number19/fullerton.pdfStiller, M. (2016). Wentworth Woodhouse is no Pemberley. Prospect Magazine. Published. https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/arts-and-books/wentworth-woodhouse-no-pemberley-jane-austen-autumn-statementBooks:Austen, J. (2021). Emma. ClassicBooks by KTHTK.Hanks, P., Hodges, F., & Hardcastle, K. (2016). A Dictionary of First Names (The Oxford Reference Collection) (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press. John, A. (2017). The Peerage of Scotland: A genealogical and historical account of all the peers of that ancient kingdom. Hansebooks.Websites:www.houseofnames.com  www.merriam-webster.comhttps://thebiography.us/en/fairfax-robert  https://peoplepill.com/people/robert-wodehouse/www.wentworthwoodhouse.orgMusic:Market by PeriTune | http://peritune.comMusic promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.comAttribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0Deep Woods3 by PeriTune | http://peritune.comMusic promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.comCreative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unportedhttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en_USJohn Harrison, violin, with Robert Turizziani conducting the Wichita State University Chamber Players. Live, unedited performance at the Wiedemann Recital Hall, Wichita State University, 6 February 2000Music by Antonio Vivaldi composed 1723 and published in 1725. Recording copyright John Harrison (JohnHarrisonViolin.com)https://freemusicarchive.org/music/John_Harrison_with_the_Wichita_State_University_Chamber_Players/The_Four_Seasons_Vivaldi

Hello dear friends,Welcome to another week of The Austen Connection and our sixth podcast episode, which you can stream from right here, or from Apple or Spotify! And this episode features a conversation with Austen scholar and Janeite Devoney Looser - who for many of you captures the spirit and vibe of Jane Austen's stories in her work and in her life: Looser has dedicated so much of her life to connecting through literature and Jane Austen, from her books, her teaching, her many appearances at conferences and at Janeite and JASNA gatherings, and also in her personal life through her marriage to Austen scholar George Justice and her roller derby career as Stone Cold Jane Austen.These days Devoney Looser is working on a new book, due out from Bloomsbury next year: Sister Novelists: Jane and Anna Maria Porter in the Age of Austen explores two sister novelists writing, innovating, and breaking rules in the Regency and Victorian eras. Devoney Looser is also the author of The Making of Jane Austen. And - full transparency here - I'm lucky enough to call Devoney Looser a friend. We met as professors on a campus in Missouri. So this is a continuation of conversations that Devoney and I have had for years. We got together by Zoom a few weeks ago and talked about many things, including the first time she read Austen, how an Austen argument was the foundation of her first conversation with her husband, and how -  just like Jane Austen - Devoney straddles the worlds of both high culture and pop culture.Here's an excerpt from our conversation. Enjoy!Plain Jane:  So let me just start if you don't mind with a couple of just questions about your personal Austen journey. What Austen did you first read? When did you discover Austen? Do you remember which book? And which time and place? Devoney Looser: Absolutely. And this is a question that I really enjoy. It's a kind of conversion question, right? … So I love that this is where we start …  I do have my awakening moment. And your awakening, I think this is a common story for a lot of Janeites, which is why the story resonates. It was my mother, who handed me a copy of Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice bound together. I now have this book. It was a Modern Library edition of both of those novels that was published in the ‘50s. And she handed it to me because … she knew I was a reader, she knew I loved to read. And she said, “Here's one that I think you should read.” We had books from her childhood, or from church book sales in our house, we had a lot of books in our house. And I started to try to read it. And I really stumbled because I could not get at the language. But she was insistent, she kept kind of putting it toward me, and saying, “I think you should read this one.” And I think it was maybe around the third time I tried it - Pride and Prejudice is what I started with - it just really took. You know, it was like, Oh, wait this is kind of funny. And I like these characters. And I like the story. So after I got my PhD, I learned that my mother had actually never read Pride and Prejudice before. And to me that actually made her giving it to me even more meaningful. She is not college educated. She wanted me to have an education. And the idea that novels could be handed down from mothers to daughters, even mothers without an education, to say, “Here's a way for you to have access to more opportunities,” is what the books are about too, in a way, right? I mean, the mothers aren't always the ones doing it in the books. In fact, they're often not. But the books are functioning as that opening up - worlds opening up possibilities and opening up education, self actualization. You know that this is to me meaningful that my mother knew that this is a book that educated girls should read, and that she wanted it for me. Plain Jane: She was tapping into something that she hadn't had herself and just trying to give that to you. That's awesome. So you're a professor, scholar, writer. … What attracts you to the conversations about Jane Austen, and teaching Jane Austen? Devoney Looser: I think the thing about Austen that keeps me coming back to her is how readable she is. And lots of people say this in the critical community and the Janeite community like the scholars and JASNA. I think even anyone who picks her up casually having not read her in 20 years or never read it before, there's a complexity there on the level of the sentences, paragraph, plot, that is really, to me. enriching, or generative - it generates ideas. And every time I go back to the books, I see something new. every age, every experience that I've made it through, gives me a new way into those sentences. And there are a lot of books that we love, but that we can't really imagine rereading with the same level of love, I think. And for me, that makes Austen just really remarkable. The idea that you can go back to her, you know, every year. A lot of people who love her books read her every year, all six every year. Do you know that joke from Gilbert Ryle, the philosopher, philosopher Gilbert Ryle was asked, this is a century ago, asked, “Sir, do you do you read novels?” And he said, “Yes, I do, all six every year.” So this is this is a good Janeite in-joke, that the only novels there are these six? Obviously not true. … But the relatability is how I would I would answer that.Plain Jane: So I mean, Jane Austen can be, like you say, kind of adapted to your life as you go through different things in life. But you, with The Making of Jane Austen have really documented how not only individuals can adapt Jane Austen to their lives, but movements can adapt Jane Austen to their causes and ... we see that in kind of exciting ways. Can you talk a little bit about why her? Why are her novels so adaptable throughout the last couple of hundred years?Devoney Looser: So I know you know this, I talked about this in The Making of Jane Austen about the ways that various people have very different political persuasions find a reflection of their values or questions or concerns in her novels. So she has been used to argue opposing sides of political questions for 150 years and probably longer. I think this was partly to do with the fact that her novels and her fiction open up questions more often than they close them. And I think it's her relationship to the didactic tradition in her day, the moralizing tradition. I think she's really stepping outside of that and more interested in gray areas, than in declaring what's right and what's wrong. So I think this is a beautiful, complex thing about her novels and they're novels of genius, to my mind, and I'm not afraid to use that word. But they also present certain kinds of really interesting challenges, because you can't go to them and say, “What should I think?” They don't really answer that question for you in a clear away. I think in other kinds of didactic fiction where there's a clear moral outcome, this person's punished with death, or, you know, or some kind of tragic outcome, or this person's rewarded, and it's all going to be, you know, happily ever after, and nothing ever is going to go wrong. Her novels are working outside of that to some degree. So I do think that that's one reason why people have very different experiences and political persuasions and motivations, come to her novels, and it can be kind of like a Rorschach test, right? You can see what you want to see in the designs to some degree. Now, I do think people can get it wrong, I think you can find there are arguments that people make that I think there is absolutely no textual evidence for that whatsoever. But oftentimes, I can look at someone coming to a conclusion that might be different from the one that I reached, and say, Well, I see where you can get that from emphasizing this point, more than this one, or seeing this passage as the crucial one, instead of another passage.I think this is a beautiful, complex thing about her novels and they're novels of genius, to my mind, and I'm not afraid to use that word. But they also present certain kinds of really interesting challenges, because you can't go to them and say, “What should I think?” They don't really answer that question for you in a clear away.Plain Jane It's also occurring to me listening to you Devoney, that she sort of makes people think, in ways that might be uncomfortable. She must be one of the few novelists that can actually draw you to her story, draw you in and draw you to that narrator. But also be uncomfortable, maybe with what she's giving you. And maybe we just stepped around the discomfort some of us. Do you think that's an accurate way of thinking about Jane Austen as well?Devoney Looser: I think that's beautifully put. And, you know, I think too we can read her novels on many different levels. If you say, I want to go into this for a love story, that's funny, with a happy ending, which is what many people who read in the romance genre know the formula, and they're going to it because they like the formula. And it might have different things in different component parts. But you know that at the end you're not going to be distressed and dealing with something tragic, right? So when you go into an Austen novel, the kinds of discomfort you're describing, that they will be there along with something happy, too. So I think you could just read it for the happy ending. [But] I see that as a real lost opportunity. Because I think the happy endings are tacked on from genre expectation about comedies. If you're focusing on the happy ending, you're missing all the important stuff that's happening all along the way. And that's the uncomfortable stuff, right? The stuff about family conflict, economics, all of the kinds of ways that people are terrible to each other, that are, maybe borderline criminal or actually criminal. But everything below that, too. That's more mundane, the way that people mistreat each other. That is wrong. It's not criminal. And that, to me, is what makes these novels uncomfortable, is that even those people who are doing terrible things, usually get away with it. Plain Jane: Hmm, yes. If you said to people, Here's a novel about the insult and injury endured by women because of class and gender - and possibly you can add race and disability and a lot of other boundaries in there” -  I don't know how many people would see that as Jane Austen. But there's that subtext. … The more I read and reread Jane Austen and just stay really close to the text, the more I find myself relying on Gilbert and Gubar and their “cover story.” And it's, you know, I read that a long time ago. So it's probably influencing my reading, I say close to the text, but it's close to the text that's very influenced by what I already have read of you, and is it Sandra Gilbert and Susan Gubar…. How much do you think she was consciously or even unconsciously saying stuff? In all that meandering, within that courtship plot and then within that happy ending plot that you just described? How much do you think was going on with that cover story?Devoney Looser: So I want to first start with the end of this, which is to say, I think every sentence is saying something else. You know, and not like it's a secret ...I think there are there are people who will say that this is a code for a completely other world below the surface. I'm not sure that I would go there. But I do think that these are novels that are trying to get us to investigate not only who the characters are, but who we are. And sonthere's always something else going on in any human conversation. There's always something else going on. And I think she captures that in the conversations among her characters, that they can be having the same conversation but with such varying motivations that you can see it and it becomes humorous. You know, Henry Tilney in Northanger Abbey, talking to Mrs. Allen, about Catherine Morland's chaperone about muslin, that whole conversation about clothing and shopping. You can read that as a love of fashion, you can read it as an indictment of consumer culture, you can read it as a kind of gender cosplay, or you can use it as an indictment of femininity. I mean, there's just so many different levels within the same conversation and you can try to understand how these characters are arguing with each other. So I think in some ways, what you're getting at is, Yes, there's something beneath the surface. So the text that you brought up, Gilbert and Gubar's The Madwoman in the Attic, I think that came out in 1979 - incredibly important book. Because a lot of second wave feminism, 60s and 70s, had said Jane Austen is not a primary author for us or not an author that can be as important to the second wave, because these novels end in marriage. And it was a moment in the feminist movement, when looking for something that expressed anger, that expressed alternative lifestyles, was seen as more important than reinforcing heteronormativity, which is what Austen was imagined as doing. So what I think what Gilbert and Gubar did is allowed for feminists and feminist critics and scholars and people beyond that circle, to look at Austen and say, “What if we didn't emphasize the ending? What if we emphasize the other parts of the story?” And of course, they took that to a lot of other different texts and the “madwoman” in the attic is actually a reference, as you know, to Jane Eyre, to Bertha Mason? What if you read Jane Eyre and centered Bertha Mason, which is of course exactly what Jean Rhys did in her novel Wide Sargasso Sea. But Gilbert and Gubar gave us a framework to say, “Let's look at the parts of these novels from a feminist perspective that maybe we haven't focused on.” And I think it opened up so much possibility for Austen, reading it through that lens of saying,”Maybe there's more here than the ending. Maybe there's more here than heteronormativity. There is a lot more going on.” And I'm really grateful to that book for doing that. I do think there is some tendency now to turn it all into, “Well, it doesn't mean this, it means this exactly the opposite.” To me, that's doing exactly what we shouldn't be doing. We're just closing down the text. … “Here's a clue. Now we'll find an answer. Now we've got this new clue, solve next mystery.” These are not mysteries with solutions. They are moral quagmires - and you can't solve a moral quagmire with a fact or an answer.Plain Jane: I love that. I love the way you say, “Don't shut down the text.” I love the way you describe that 1979 Madwoman in the Attic, because you're right. They were just, I guess at a time when you know, feminism was wearing Doc Martens and reading Hemingway … Devoney Looser: … and reading Kate Millett and Sexual Politics: Let's find the sexism. It was a sexism-identification moment, which is really important because a lot of people couldn't see it until people like Millett and others said, “Oh my gosh, there's sexism here in every single book, how do we not notice this?” Plain Jane: Yeah. And they were saying, These are women's lives, let's interrogate what's happening with stories by women, about women, really going in depth in their lives. And they happen to be genius, as well. You know, Devoney, you also say, in your book, The Making of Jane Austen, that Jane Austen has, in many ways, been the making of you. This is getting back to you a little bit, Devoney. In what ways is Jane Austen and the making of you? I know a few of those ways. But why did you write that? Devoney Looser: Well, I think, again, this is the reason this story resonates with people is because all of us who care about literature, and who allow books to lead us places, probably had moments like this. Mine is slightly more bizarre than most people's in that I now make a living from reading Jane Austen. And as you said, I read lots of other things, too. I read Jane Austen in the context of the history of women's writing, which has been very opening up of territory for me as a scholar, and I help lead people to read outside of her. But I've also been able to create a romantic life that started around conversations with her - and I know you know, this - that I met my husband, George Justice is also an Austen scholar. We met over a conversation and an argument on Jane Austen's books. Plain Jane: What were you arguing about again? What book? Was it Mansfield Park?Devoney Looser: It was Mansfield Park. So my husband George and I were introduced at a cocktail party that I was crashing. … And George had actually been invited. And we had a brief conversation that ended, but he came and found me because somebody said to him that I had worked on Jane Austen. And so he said, “I hear you work on Jane Austen. What's your favorite Jane Austen novel?” And I know, you know, George, Janet. So you know that he likes to ask these kind of puncturing questions, right. … … And I said, “Well, the one that I'm working on right now is Northanger Abbey.” And he said, “I didn't ask you which one you're working on. I asked you which one's your favorite.” He heard that I was working on it. But he wanted me to make an aesthetic, you know, you want to make a judgement about which one's the best. … So I said, Well, I guess my favorite is Pride and Prejudice. And George said very proudly, “Well, my favorite is Mansfield Park. … And so I said, “Well, Mansfield Park is my least favorite. And I like it the least because I don't like the heroine. Fanny Price is too much like me. She's boring. Plain Jane: You said that?!Devoney Looser: Yes. And George said at that moment that he said to himself in his head, “I'm gonna marry this woman.” So you really need to hear his side of it. I just thought, this guy's kind of needling me. And I'm shutting down his meddling with, you know, disarming honesty and sarcasm. But you know, I do mean it, I did at the time. I really felt like a very shy person and quiet person and I had more class sympathies with Fanny Price of all of Jane Austen's heroines. But I didn't like those parts myself. I didn't like being quiet and timid, and didn't appreciate her as a character, I think, in a way that I now do. But he did end up proposing to me that night. And I said, “No.” I said, “I don't believe in the institution of marriage.” But whatever. What I can say is that he was very persuasive. And within about a month we decided we'd have a Jane-Fairfax-and-Frank-Churchill-style secret engagement. And we got married. We got married about a year later. So George is very persuasive. Plain Jane: That's awesome. I did not know that he had proposed and that you had declined on that same evening. And I love it that you relate to Fanny Price and find that kind of complicated. Now I have to say, you have told me that story, Devoney. And I had forgotten the details about Fanny Price. But I learned them again, from the First impressions podcast, where they were talking about you on that podcast, and that you related to Fanny Price. And that got me thinking about who people relate to in Jane Austen novels. And I feel like Jane Austen is putting herself  - I feel like all authors, for much of the time -  are putting themselves in not just the positive aspects of characters … She's even probably in Mrs. Norris a little bit, you know? Think of your worst person, you know? There's a part of her that wants to be Lady Bertram, probably. And there's certainly a part of her that's Fanny Price. And there's certainly a part of her that's Emma, who's also a difficult character. So anyway …  does George love Fanny Price?Devoney Looser: I think George loves underdogs who triumph. And I think to him, he likes the idea of people who weren't born to it sticking up for themselves. And he likes the idea of there being greater opportunity for people who weren't necessarily born to opportunity. And I think that's the story of his grandparents and his parents. So I think that's where he came to the love of that particular plot, out of stories from his own family. Plain Jane: So we are talking about, we've been talking about, the way people take on Jane Austen for their causes. You also talk about the fact that Jane Austen has ... carried pop culture and high culture simultaneously. Almost maybe like almost no other artist, maybe Shakespeare can carry those two at the same time. And you also walk both of those worlds. Can you talk a little bit about that? How are we doing with those two things right now? I mean, Jane Austen's probably bigger than ever before, right, today? And are we kind of bringing the high culture of the scholarly and the fandom together in interesting ways? And in productive ways?Devoney Looser: Yeah, that's such a great question. And the “greater than ever before,” quite possibly, if only because of how communication is greater than ever before, right? … But there were moments where she definitely popped in popular culture before now, you know, millions of people saw that Broadway play in 1935 that moved to the West End in London, the next year. This was another moment of Austen pop culture saturation. Where I think if we were able to compare it, then, to now we might say she was in the imagination of the cultural imagination to a pretty great degree in these other moments, too. But let's not go there - now I'm in the weeds! But I do think there is something about being in both worlds that really speaks to my sense of our responsibility as scholars to be educators, but also to be trying to understand the world outside of the academy and seeing that as a talking across, not a talking down. And there are moments where it's easier for scholars to remember that than others, but the talking across has really made new scholarly ideas possible. For me, this is a divided identity. I think you're capturing that accurately in how you describe it, Janet, but I want to make sure that I'm saying it's not a one way street for me. When we talk about teaching, those of us who are educators, we talk about learning from our students, and people often roll their eyes at that … But I think back to an old, classic and educational theory of Paulo Freire's Pedagogy of the Oppressed, where he talks about differently located learners. And the Janeite community through JASNA has definitely brought home to me the ways that differently located learners can inspire each other, and teach each other. And I think that is just really, really crucial. And I love that Jane Austen has made this possible.Plain Jane: You know, we're in a way a lot of what we're talking about is her image. And how, you know, there's a lot under the surface of the Courtship and the Marriage Plot, that you've researched this, and written about it in The Making of Jane Austen. In what ways did her family contribute to this image? Can you talk a little bit about that? And why - why were they trying to create, if I have this right, a respectable sort of Aunt Jane? Do you feel like this is what she also would have perhaps wanted? I mean, class insult, class injury can be humiliating, and I feel like perhaps also Louisa May Alcott, some of these women writers who were writing for money, maybe did want to be seen first and foremost, as respectable. What do you think was going on with the family members painting her image?Devoney Looser: I think this is a really difficult, multi-layered question. And I, of course, have different ways of answering this. But I think that the ways that her family described her, were trying to head off criticism. And I think if you look at the ways that women writers were treated in this period, you can understand why they wanted to head off the criticism. They very much wanted her not to be seen as strident Bluestocking, morally suspect. They very much wanted to put her on the side of … the polite, the proper, the lady .... Not the bitter spinster, not the ugly woman who couldn't get married or who was having all sorts of morally questionable behaviors with men. But the woman who was very much doing the “femininity”, quote-unquote, 1810s and the 1820s. So at first, I think that's what her family is up to. And the extent to which she would have been excited about that, I don't know. But it does seem quite possible that she would have endorsed staying to the side of that. Because in the same way that 70s feminists brought us to see the ways that language was about Virgins and W****s - not that no one had ever noticed this. But I think in Second Wave feminism, the Women's Studies classes, let us look at the words that were used to describe women and their sexual experiences, and say, “Wow, this is really unbelievable,” right? So I think if we take that and we move that conversation back 150 years, I think the Austens were wise to the fact that you were not allowed to be anything other than one or the other. And it was very clear what you wanted to be if your choice was to be castigated as the woman writer so who is more virgin-like, or the woman writer who is more W***e-like, of course, she wanted to be on the side of the Virgin. It's a crime that this existed, right? It's a linguistic crime. But if you're a family trying to negotiate the reputation of your relative at the same time that some of you are clergymen and trying to make your way forward in polite society, titled society, elite society, of course ... She's a Public Woman. Those words aren't supposed to go together. You want to put her to the side of the one who wasn't looking for money, the one who wasn't looking for fame, the one who wasn't too learned. She was nice. She was doing this for her family. She wasn't doing this for fame or money, you see that? Already, you're talking about sides of a question, where putting your eggs in one basket results in a different outcome. So the extent to which Austen herself wanted that, what would be desirable of being on the other side of that? Very little, right?Plain Jane: Listening to you talk makes me really understand that so much more. And also realize that in a way they were doing what Jane Austen seemed to do with her novels, which was to keep herself out of it. And maybe she's not as out of it on the third and fourth rereading as we thought she was on the first rereading. But she's kind of keeping herself out of it and just letting the story, letting the characters, say what she really doesn't want to be seen saying particularly, perhaps.Devoney Looser: You know that I'm working on two contemporaries of Jane Austen, Jane and Anna Maria Porter. I'm writing this book, Sister Novelists: Jane and Anna Maria Porter in the Age of Austen. And where for Austen, we have 161 letters of hers [that] have survived. So when we try to say, “What did Jane Austen think?” The novels give us a certain amount to go on. But a lot of us say, well, “What did she say in her letters where we can assume that she was being more of a quote-unquote, authentic self?” … But the idea that we only have 161 of these to go on; for the Porter sisters, they were both novelists. And they wrote thousands of letters, which they painstakingly preserved. And so to be able to go through these thousands of letters between these two sisters who are looking at literary culture through the eyes of public women and literary women, and looking at the ways that they describe the things that they want people to believe and what they're actually doing behind the scenes, has been really illuminating for me. And I hope other people will be interested in reading about that too, people who are interested in Austen, people who are interested in the early 19th century and Regency culture, Victorian culture, because the Porter sisters lived longer than Jane Austen did. [And] the ways that they tried to navigate making decisions with agency and with, specifically, female agency and romantic agency and a culture that said that, as Austen puts it, their only power should be the power of refusal. And they, the Porter sisters, were doing things all the time that you weren't supposed to do. And we know it because they were writing about it with each other. They were innovators in historical fiction. And Jane Porter claimed, I think with with some accuracy, that she was the one who influenced and inspired Sir Walter Scott's Waverley, which was published in 1814. Plain Jane: Wow, you had us at Hello - our sisters writing to each other, during the Regency and beyond, and they have each other, they're doing historic fiction. I mean, I just think hashtag-Regency is going to blow up over these two sisters! I think that sounds like a lot of fun. I just feel like there is a hunger to broaden out these conversations, and you can see it, the conversations are being broadened out in such exciting ways, especially right now. Books, like The Woman of Colour, and then every conversation we can have about Bridgerton -  like anything to do with the Regency and people's lives and especially the lives that we're uncovering that have been overlooked: Women writers, Black citizens of the Regency in Britain, and it's just and so many others. It's just really exciting. So I feel like there's a hunger for these conversations. Devoney Looser: And I think it's absolutely crucial and important that we start to try to understand race relations in the early 19th century. And think about why we care about them so much. Now, that's what literature should do. I get really frustrated when people want to tell us that we're taking questions from the present and popping them back falsely under the past. This is not at all we're doing. Things are popping in our moment that we can see, we're also popping in Austen's moment. ,,, Maybe she doesn't write about them to the degree that some of us would now wish she had. But these questions are there. And we are having a real opportunity, through scholars like Gretchen Gerzina and Patricia Matthew, and others who are helping us look back to the abolition movement, look back to texts, like The Woman of Colour, which Lyndon Dominique edited in a fabulous edition for Broadview Press that everybody should run out and buy. This is a novel from 1809, an anonymous novel. All of these works are giving us new opportunities to read Austen in terms of race issues that were important in her own day and to her novels. And for very good reasons have popped up in ours, so I'm excited about the opportunity to open up these questions.I do think there is something about being in both worlds that really speaks to my sense of our responsibility as scholars to be educators, but also to be trying to understand the world outside of the academy and seeing that as a talking-across, not a talking-down. And there are moments where it's easier for scholars to remember that than others. But the talking across has really made new scholarly ideas possible.Plain Jane: And some of this is historians also - Gretchen Gerzina, in a previous episode, alerted me to the National Trust report that was done documenting the ties to the slave trade in the Great Houses in England. Such a simple thing, really. And very much a historic enterprise, not a political enterprise in any sense, other than [that] everything is political. But that's exciting. And then you've also contributed to this conversation about the legacy of slavery and the ties to the slave trade in the Austen family. Do you want to talk about that at all? I mean, this is something that's just been published in The Times Literary Supplement and then picked up a lot of places. Do you want to just give a takeaway on what was going on with your research on that and what you'd like people to keep in mind when they think about Austen's family and the slave trade?Devoney Looser: Absolutely. So the May 21 issue of the Times Literary Supplement, which is a weekly newspaper that anyone who cares about literature should subscribe to … I am very honored to have published it. I did a piece on Austen and abolition, looking deeply and very minutely into the Austen family's relationship to slavery and abolition. And people are asking a question now, “Was Austen pro-slavery or anti-slavery? Was the author's family pro-slavery or anti-slavery?” And because of things like the National Trust report that you just mentioned, and a freely available database called the Legacies of Slavery that's run out of UCL by a scholar named Catherine Hall and a team. This is a freely available database, George Austen's name shows up in that database, because he was a trustee for a sugar plantation in Antigua that was owned by somebody who was probably a student at Oxford. So this is the fact that we had, and that has been repeated, that Austen's implicated in the economics of slavery. And what my piece did, is tried to look at what that means, and to try to deepen that conversation. And what I, the takeaway, for me is that the Austen family can be described as both pro-slavery and anti-slavery. And this is probably true for a lot of 19th century families, frankly, where you would have members who were on different sides, quote-unquote, of these questions. But the moment we try to turn it into sides, we're missing an opportunity for further description and nuance. And what my piece shows is that George Austen probably never benefited financially from this trusteeship. He was a co-trustee. And I go into a lot of description about that. And that years afterward, 80 years after that, Henry Thomas Austen, we never noticed this before: Henry Thomas Austen was a delegate to an anti-slavery convention. So we have a member of the immediate Austen family, a political activist, against the institution of slavery and with the anti-slavery movement. So to me, this tells us that the Austen family was both of these things. And I think it's an additional piece of information for us to understand the ways that race and slavery come into Austen's novels and the ways that she is working with the difficulties and complexities of this issue that was central to the moment she lived in.Plain Jane: What do you love most about introducing people to Austen? And what surprises you when you teach - in the classroom, or in Great Courses, from people that you hear from all the many Janeite and fandom conversations that you so graciously, drop in on Zoom with? What do you love about introducing people to Jane Austen?Devoney Looser: Yeah, so these 24 30-minute lectures I did for the Great Courses, which is interestingly just rebranded itself as Wondrium. But I say there, and I say this at the beginning of my classes as well: I love these books. And I love the ways that these books have inspired me to be a better thinker and have created certain things in my life that have become possible and meaningful to me. But it is absolutely not required to me that anyone in my class come out loving them like I do. What I want is for students to find that thing that is meaningful to them. And that generates meaning for them - that's generative, to go back to that word again. And I think when students take me at my word, I'm very grateful. I want them to read closely and think about these things. But it is absolutely not required that they see in them what I see.—————Thank you for reading, listening and being here, my friends. Please stay safe and enjoy your remaining days of summer. We'll be back next week - and it's all about my conversation with definitive Austen biographer Claire Tomalin! I caught her at home, safe, enjoying her garden during the pandemic, and I'll share our conversation here, same time, same place, next week! Below are many of the authors that Devoney mentioned in this conversation, with links to finding out more.If you enjoyed this conversation, please do share it!And if you'd like to have more conversations like these dropped in your inbox, subscribe - it's free! More Reading and Cool Links:Gilbert and Gubar's The Madwoman in the Attic: https://www.npr.org/2013/01/17/169548789/how-a-madwoman-upended-a-literary-boys-clubPaulo Freire and The Pedagogy of the Oppressed: https://www.freire.org/paulo-freire/paulo-freire-biography/Gretchen Gerzina - https://gretchengerzina.com/about-gretchen-gerzina.htmlLyndon Dominque, editor: The Woman of Colour: https://broadviewpress.com/product/the-woman-of-colour/#tab-descriptionPatricia Matthew: https://www.montclair.edu/newscenter/experts/dr-patricia-matthew/UCL slavery database: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/lbs/ Devoney Looser's website: http://www.devoneylooser.com/The Wondrium/Great Courses on Jane Austen: www.thegreatcourses.com/janeausten Get full access to The Austen Connection at austenconnection.substack.com/subscribe

Have you seen the cover of the Gwyneth Paltrow Emma adaptation and wonder why she is drawing a bow? Yeah, well, turns out there isn't much explanation in the film either. This week, Catrina and Elle discuss all things 1996 Emma adaptation starring Gwyneth Paltrow, Toni Collette, and Ewan McGregor.How does this version hold up against the book? Is it as funny as the 2020 version?  Did we get the romance? The drama? Did we finally believe that Frank Churchill actually had a thing for Jane Fairfax?Most importantly, what the heck is up with Ewan McGregor's hair? 

Emma Chapters 49 - EndMr. Knightley confesses that he loves Emma, not Harriet, and they get engaged! Frank Churchill is on an apology tour for his secret engagement to Jane Fairfax and we finally get to see them happy together. Harriet goes to London to see a dentist and comes back engaged to Mr. Martin. In the end, they were all happily married. This week Catrina and Elle discuss Mr. Knightley's really kinda creepy comment about loving Emma since she was 13, how we all forgot about Mrs. Weston's baby, and that we really want to see the story from Jane's point of view. Most importantly, Elle was correct about the pianoforte!

Emma Chapters 39-43There is some drama in Highbury! First, Harriet gets the crap scared out of her. Then Mr. Knightley catches Frank Churchill in a lie. Frank angers Jane Fairfax in front of everyone. Mrs. Elton does exactly what Jane asked her not to do and Jane is so mad she leaves a party. Then Frank shows up and is a real jerkface. But in the end, it is Emma who is the real bully.This week Elle and Catrina agree that the entire book should have been written from Mr. Knightley's point of view because that man knows how to pay attention to what is going on around him.   Wit Beyond Measure is part of the Frolic Podcast Network. You can find more outstanding podcasts to subscribe to atFrolic.media/podcasts!

Emma Chapters 34 - 38This week Emma tries, once again, to "be a better friend" to Jane Fairfax. She must host a dinner for the new Mrs. Elton. During this dinner, we find out that Frank Churchill is coming back to Highbury! This means they can finally have the ball!Elle and Catrina start to get excited about where the story is going. Finally, there is some action, flirting, and mystery. What's more, Mr. Knightley does something really nice, and Emma legit compliments him for it! That's what we call progress!Wit Beyond Measure is part of the Frolic Podcast Network. You can find more outstanding podcasts to subscribe to at Frolic.media/podcasts!

In the second episode of Most Austentatious!, Hannah & Suzanne dive into the novel which is arguably Jane Austen's most sophisticated and features her most complicated heroine: Emma. Is Suzanne a giant Austen hipster? What is a Frank Churchill and why can Hannah & Suzanne take or leave him? Perhaps most importantly, what is the deal with gruel?   Also, did y'all know the 2020 Emma has BUTTS in it?! BUTTS! They answer these questions and more as they discuss their 3-ish things: three of Emma's most significant relationships and what those relationships tell us about Emma.  Over These Walls by Hope and Social is licensed under a Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License.

Emma Chapters 25 - 28Someone has purchased Jane Fairfax a pianoforte and it has caused quite a stir. Emma attends a party and hears that a mystery person has gifted Jane with a pianoforte, which is quite a gift. Nearly everyone believes that it is from the Campbells, but Emma suspects otherwise. After all, there are the Dixon's to consider.Catrina and Elle discuss this mysterious gift and all the excitement is has sparked in Highbury. Also, Elle has a theory about who actually purchased the piano - and it will certainly come to a surprise for Ms Woodhouse.

JANE AUSTEN carti audio in romana: Capitolul 41 din EMMA; Gen: Fictiune, Clasic, Romantic, Istoric; Literatura: Engleza; "În aceasta stare febrila, când se făceau planuri, se năsteau sperante si se puneau la cale diverse lucruri, luna iunie sosi la Hartfield. La Highbury nu se petrecu nici o schimbare substantială. În familia Elton se mai vorbea încă despre vizita familiei Suckling si de modul în care landoul va fi folosit si Jane Fairfax era tot la bunica ei. Si, cum întoarcerea familiei Campbell din Irlanda fusese amânată din nou, pentru august, în loc de iulie cum se fixase înainte, era probabil că ea va rămâne aici încă două luni încheiate, dacă, desigur, va fi în stare să triumfe asupra bunăvointei doamnei Elton si să se salveze de la a căpăta prea repede un post extraordinar pe care nu si-l dorea. Domnul Knightley, căruia, din motive numai de el cunoscute, nu-i plăcuse dintru început Frank Churchill, ajunsese să-l dezagreeze si mai mult.."; La Am mai multe carti decat prieteni, veti gasi carti audio gratis citite de mine in limba romana. Voi incerca sa adaug diverse genuri de carti, astfel incat sa gasiti mereu ceva pe placul vostru. Cartile citite apartin domeniului public. Astept cu mare drag recomandari de carti din domeniul public pe care sa le citesc. Pagina Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MulteCarti

JANE AUSTEN carti in romana: Capitolul 35 & 36 din EMMA; Gen: Fictiune, Clasic, Romantic, Istoric; Literatura: Engleza; "CÂND DOAMNELE SE ÎNTOARSERĂ ÎN SALON după masă, Emma îsi dădu seama că era aproape imposibil să împiedice formarea a două grupuri deosebite. Doamna Elton dădea dovadă de foarte mare perseverentă în a se purta rău si a judeca gresit, coplesind-o pe Jane Fairfax si neglijând-o pe ea. Ea si doamna Weston erau nevoite fie să discute între ele, fie să tacă împreună. Doamna Elton nu le lăsa să aleagă. Dacă Jane reusea s-o facă să tacă două minute, începea din nou si desi ceea ce discutau era mai mult în soaptă, în special din partea doamnei Elton, în mod inevitabil auziră care erau subiectele principale — posta, răceala, adusul scrisorilor si prietenia, fură îndelung comentate si urmate de un alt subiect, care era probabil la fel de neplăcut pentru Jane — Întrebări dacă a găsit vreun post care să-i convină si făgăduinte mari din partea doamnei Elton."; La Am mai multe carti decat prieteni, veti gasi carti audio gratis citite de mine in limba romana. Voi incerca sa adaug diverse genuri de carti, astfel incat sa gasiti mereu ceva pe placul vostru. Cartile citite apartin domeniului public. Astept cu mare drag recomandari de carti din domeniul public pe care sa le citesc. Pagina Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MulteCarti

.JANE AUSTEN carti audio in romana: Capitolul 28 si 29 din EMMA Gen: Fictiune, Clasic, Romantic, Istoric; Literatura: Engleza; "CÂND INTRARĂ, MICUL SALON ERA IMAGINEA păcii însăsi; doamna Bates, lipsită de ocupatia ei obisnuită, stătea picotind lângă foc, Frank Churchill, la masă, lângă ea, foarte ocupat cu ochelarii, iar Jane Fairfax, cu spatele la ei, în picioare, se uita tintă la pian. Desi era ocupat, tânărul găsi posibilitatea să-si exprime fericirea că o vede din nou pe Emma. — Ce plăcere, spuse el, cu o voce nu prea ridicată, ati ajuns cu zece minute mai repede decât calculasem eu. După cum vezi, încerc să mă fac folositor ! Spune-mi dacă reusesc sau nu ? — Ce ? spuse doamna Weston, n-ai terminat ? N-ai prea câstiga cine stie ce ca bijutier, dacă lucrezi în ritmul ăsta..". La Am mai multe carti decat prieteni, veti gasi carti audio gratis citite de mine in limba romana. Voi incerca sa adaug diverse genuri de carti, astfel incat sa gasiti mereu ceva pe placul vostru. Cartile citite apartin domeniului public. Astept cu mare drag recomandari de carti pe care sa le citesc pe acest canal. Pagina Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MulteCarti

This week the girls discuss Jane Austen's Emma, from the comfort of their respective, socially distanced homes. The girls talk about the heroine Jane Austen was sure no one would like (hereafter referred to as "the original mean girl"), her journey of self-discovery through the book and just how good they think Mr Knightley smelled (hint: very). Of course they wound off topic, with other discussions included (but not limited to): - Chloe's recent spamming of Katie's WhatsApp with questionable gifs - Cliodhna's inability to take part in remote Tuesday night pizza - Miss Bates being everyone's favourite character ever, and - The fact that Jane Fairfax was actually the heroine all along (mind-blown emoji) Tune in, wash your hands, go for a walk while staying 6 feet away from everyone else, the world is your oyster folks! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/lc-lewis/message

This episode looks at why poor Jane Fairfax is so horrified by the thought of having to become a governess. 

This week, we talk about the mini Emma Approved spinoff series "Frank and Jane"! See what Frank Churchill and Jane Fairfax were up to when they thought we weren't looking... ~~~ Send us your questions or comments at: thepemberleypodcast@gmail.com Follow us on Twitter/Instagram: @thepemberley Visit our website: thepemberleypodcast.com

This week, we explore more wild accusations about the alleged romance between Frank Churchill and Jane Fairfax. ~~~ Send us your questions or comments at: thepemberleypodcast@gmail.com Follow us on Twitter/Instagram: @thepemberley Visit our website: thepemberleypodcast.com

This week, we find out that Alex Knightley does NOT have a thing for Jane Fairfax, and Emma Woodhouse DEFINITELY doesn't have a thing for Frank Churchill... or does she? ~~~ Send us your questions or comments at: thepemberleypodcast@gmail.com Follow us on Twitter/Instagram: @thepemberley Visit our website: thepemberleypodcast.com

This week, we discuss what we're reading while eating Icelandic yogurt, and talk about the plight of getting eligible people to auction themselves off. ~~~ Send us your questions or comments at: thepemberleypodcast@gmail.com Follow us on Twitter/Instagram/Facebook: @thepemberley Visit our website: thepemberleypodcast.com

This week, we see how the Emma Approved team functions when new girl in town Jane Fairfax comes aboard! ~~~ Send us your questions or comments at: thepemberleypodcast@gmail.com Follow us on Twitter/Instagram/Facebook: @thepemberley Visit our website: thepemberleypodcast.com

This week, we learn more about the different flavored preserves of Maddy Bates and her glorious perfect niece, Jane Fairfax! ~~~ Send us your questions or comments at: thepemberleypodcast@gmail.com Follow us on Twitter/Instagram/Facebook: @thepemberley Visit our website: thepemberleypodcast.com