Reading Jane Austen

In our final episode on Persuasion, we talk about how much more satisfactory this is than the original ending, the purpose of the discussion between Mrs Croft and Mrs Musgrove, the conversation between Anne and Captain Harville, Wentworth’s letter, his feeling that he had a moral obligation to marry Louisa and the wrap-up of the story.
The character we discuss is Anne Elliot. In the historical section, Michael talks about the British Navy at the end of, and after, the Napoleonic Wars, and for popular culture Harriet discusses various modernised versions of Persuasion.
Things we mention:
General discussion:
Janet Todd and Antje Blank [Editors], The Cambridge Edition of the Works of Jane Austen: Persuasion (2006)
Character discussion:
YouTube video: Karolina Żebrowska, Why Does Hollywood Hate Gentle Characters? ‖ Netflix “Persuasion” Review (2022)
Popular culture discussion:
Melissa Nathan, Persuading Annie (2000)
Sara Marks, Modern Persuasion (2017)
Sonali Dev, Recipe for Persuasion (2020)
Sarah Dass, Where the Rhythm Takes You (2021)
Uzma Jalaluddin, Much Ado About Nada (2023)
Melodie Edwards, Once Persuaded Twice Shy (2024)
Rhombus Media, Slings and Arrows (2003-2006) [mentioned but not a Persuasion adaptation]
Diana Peterfreund, For Darkness Shows the Stars (2012)
John Wyndham, The Chrysalids (1955) [mentioned but not a Persuasion adaptation]
Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games (2008) [mentioned but not a Persuasion adaptation]
Creative commons music used:
Extract from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Sonata No. 12 in F Major, ii. Adagio.
Extract from Joseph Haydn, Piano Sonata No. 38. Performance by Ivan Ilić, recorded in Manchester in December, 2006. File originally from IMSLP.
Extract from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Sonata No. 13 in B-Flat Major, iii. Allegretto Grazioso. File originally from Musopen.
Extract from George Frideric Handel, Suite I, No. 2 in F Major, ii. Allegro. File originally from Musopen.
Extract from Ludwig van Beethoven, Piano Sonata No. 28 in A major. File originally from Musopen.

In this episode we look at the published version of Chapter 22. We talk about how proactive Anne is in these final chapters, the arrival of Charles, Mary and the Musgrove clan, Louisa’s change in personality, how the Musgroves all want Anne to be with them, and the first time Wentworth actually refers to the time he and Anne were together.
The characters we discuss is are Charles and Mary Musgrove. In the historical section, Michael talks about the shooting, and for popular culture Harriet looks at two books that retell Persuasion from the point of view of another character.
Things we mention:
General discussion:
Janet Todd and Antje Blank [Editors], The Cambridge Edition of the Works of Jane Austen: Persuasion (2006)
Sheila Kaye-Smith and G.B. Stern, Talking of Jane Austen (1943) and More Talk of Jane Austen (1950)
Historical discussion:
E. W. Bovill, English Country Life, 1780-1830 (1962) 
‘The Thing About Willoughby’s Pointers with guest Dr. Stephanie Howard-Smith‘, The Thing About Austen podcast, Episode 73
Popular culture discussion:
Amanda Grange, Captain Wentworth’s Diary (2007)
Dorothea-Sofia Rossellini, Mrs Clay: The Austen Expert’s Companion to ‘Persuasion’ (2016)
 Diana Birchall, In Defense of Mrs Elton (1999) 
Creative commons music used:
Extract from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Sonata No. 12 in F Major, ii. Adagio.
Extract from Joseph Haydn, Piano Sonata No. 38. Performance by Ivan Ilić, recorded in Manchester in December, 2006. File originally from IMSLP.
Extract from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Sonata No. 13 in B-Flat Major, iii. Allegretto Grazioso. File originally from Musopen.
Extract from George Frideric Handel, Suite I, No. 2 in F Major, ii. Allegro. File originally from Musopen.
Extract from Ludwig van Beethoven, Piano Sonata No. 28 in A major. File originally from Musopen.

In this much-delayed episode (recorded months ago, but stuck in editing limbo), we look at Chapter 21, and the original version of Chapter 22, which Jane Austen rewrote before publication to become the Chapters 22 and 23 we now have. This cancelled chapter is available in many modern editions of the book. We talk about Mrs Smith’s infodump about Mr Elliot, her change in tone, her patronising attitude towards Nurse Rooke, how in the cancelled chapter Anne was more of an observer (compared to the much better final version where she has regained her voice), and the fact that the cancelled chapter is unpolished, and even if Jane Austen had retained that, it would still have been improved before publication.
The character we discuss is Mr Elliot. In the historical section, Michael talks about the engagements, and for popular culture Harriet reflects on the various film adaptations of Persuasion, considering some of the characters, as well as how each adaptation deals with three key scenes (presenting the backstory, Louisa’s fall, and the scene at the White Hart Inn).
Things we mention:
General discussion:
Janet Todd and Antje Blank [Editors], The Cambridge Edition of the Works of Jane Austen: Persuasion (2006)
Paul Wray, ‘Persuasion: Why the Revised Ending Works So Well’, Persuasions Online (2017), Volume 38, No. 1, Winter 2017.
Historical discussion:
Rory Muir, Love and Marriage in the Age of Jane Austen (2024)
Popular culture discussion:
Podcast Into the Austenverse
BBC, Persuasion (1971) – starring Ann Firbank and Bryan Marshall. Watch on YouTube: Part 1 and Part 2

TVE, Novela: Persuasión (1972) – starring Maite Blasco and Juan DiegoWatch on YouTube

BBC Film, Persuasion (1995) – starring Amanda Root and Ciarán HindsWatch on YouTube

Clerkenwell Films, Persuasion (2007) – starring Sally Hawkins and Rupert Penry-JonesWatch on YouTube

Netflix, Persuasion (2022) – starring Dakota Johnson and Cosmo Jarvis
Louisa’s fall from the Cobb (this YouTube video shows the same scene from the 1971, 1995, 2007 and 2022 adaptations of Persuasion)
 For a list of music used, see this episode on our website.

In this episode, we talk about private communications in public spaces, Wentworth’s possible feelings in the encounter at Mollands and in the Assembly Room, the question of whether Lady Russell was legitimately trying to identify a set of curtains, and Anne’s feelings towards Mr Elliot.
The character we discuss is Elizabeth Elliot. In the historical section, Michael talks about the Bath Assembly Rooms, and for popular culture Harriet discusses the 2023 independent film Persuasion.
Things we mention:
General discussion:
Janet Todd and Antje Blank [Editors], The Cambridge Edition of the Works of Jane Austen: Persuasion (2006)
Historical discussion:
Blackadder the Third (1987)
YouTube video: Dr Timothy Moore, ‘Change & Challenge: The History of Bath’s Assembly Rooms‘, Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution, 30 July 2024
Assembly Rooms floorplan
(Source: http://www.victoriahinshaw.com/victorias-vibes—-a-blog/archives/05-2019)
Popular culture discussion:
Persuasion (2023, Agatha Films) – starring Skylar Pierce and Dan Brown
Creative commons music used:
Extract from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Sonata No. 12 in F Major, ii. Adagio.
Extract from Joseph Haydn, Piano Sonata No. 38. Performance by Ivan Ilić, recorded in Manchester in December, 2006. File originally from IMSLP.
Extract from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Sonata No. 13 in B-Flat Major, iii. Allegretto Grazioso. File originally from Musopen.
Extract from George Frideric Handel, Suite I, No. 2 in F Major, ii. Allegro. File originally from Musopen.
Extract from Ludwig van Beethoven, Piano Sonata No. 28 in A major. File originally from Musopen.

In this episode, we talk about the upward and downward social interactions taking place, what the implications are behind the Dalrymples being Irish aristocracy, the introductions of Mrs Smith and Nurse Rooke, the comedy of Mary’s letter and Admiral Croft’s meeting with Anne, and the fact that in the book’s timeline it is only a month before Napoleon Bonaparte will escape from Elba.
The characters we discuss are Admiral and Mrs Croft. In the historical section, Ellen talks about nurses, and for popular culture Harriet discusses the 2020 television movie Modern Persuasion.
Things we mention:
General discussion:
Janet Todd and Antje Blank [Editors], The Cambridge Edition of the Works of Jane Austen: Persuasion (2006)
Maria Edgeworth, Castle Rackrent (1800)
Character discussion:
Walter Scott, Waverley (1814)
Patrick O’Brien, Master and Commander (1969) and sequels in the Aubrey and Maturin series
Historical discussion:
Charles Dickens, Martin Chuzzlewit (1844)
Elizabeth Fry (19th century English prison reformer, social reformer, philanthropist and Quaker)
Wellcome Collection in London
Popular culture discussion:
Modern Persuasion (2020, Tangerine Entertainment) – starring Alicia Witt and Shane McRae
Creative commons music used:
Extract from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Sonata No. 12 in F Major, ii. Adagio.
Extract from Joseph Haydn, Piano Sonata No. 38. Performance by Ivan Ilić, recorded in Manchester in December, 2006. File originally from IMSLP.
Extract from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Sonata No. 13 in B-Flat Major, iii. Allegretto Grazioso. File originally from Musopen.
Extract from George Frideric Handel, Suite I, No. 2 in F Major, ii. Allegro. File originally from Musopen.
Extract from Ludwig van Beethoven, Piano Sonata No. 28 in A major. File originally from Musopen.