Reading Jane Austen

In this episode, we talk about these transitional chapters between the events at Lyme and the move to Bath. We consider the position of the old nurse in the Musgrove household, how Anne is feeling a bit sorry for herself, the delightful scenes with the Crofts and with Charles and Mary, how Mr Elliot is described as ‘underhung’, and the way Anne and Mr Elliot get on well with each other. The characters we discuss are Mr and Mrs Musgrove. In the historical section, Ellen talks about Bath, and for popular culture Harriet discusses the 2019 YouTube series Rational Creatures. Things we mention: General discussion: * Janet Todd and Antje Blank [Editors], The Cambridge Edition of the Works of Jane Austen: Persuasion [https://www.cambridge.org/au/universitypress/subjects/literature/literary-texts/persuasion] (2006) * Noel Streatfeild, Gran-Nannie [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10458.Gran_Nannie] (1976) and Ballet Shoes [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10444.Ballet_Shoes] (1936) * Novels of Charlotte M. Yonge [https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/176982.Charlotte_Mary_Yonge] * Evelyn Waugh, Brideshead Revisited [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58045504-brideshead-revisited] (1945) * Alexander Pope, ‘The Rape of the Lock [https://www.eighteenthcenturypoetry.org/works/o3695-w0010.shtml]‘ (1712) Historical discussion: * The Venerable Bede [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bede] (c.672-735) * Nennius [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nennius](9th century Welsh monk) * Google map [https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=18GT5GkBZsjh4DEFCqiczdt5V9KQB_cDq&ll=51.38467649058471%2C-2.36251323481967&z=15&usp=sharing] of locations in Persuasion, zoomed in on Bath Popular culture discussion: * Rational Creatures [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ROWb_KUSCk&list=PLjSY-8joTNBOhc-AajrhgMyqdiuNbz-Vv] (2019, YouTube) – starring Kristina Pupo and Peter Giessl * Harriet’s interview with the creators [https://readingjaneausten.com/index.php/2022/10/13/bonus-mini-episode-rational-creatures-co-creators/] of Rational Creatures Creative commons music used: * Extract from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Sonata No. 12 in F Major, ii. Adagio [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mozart_-_Piano_Sonata_No._12_in_F_Major,_K.332_-_II._Adagio.ogg]. * Extract from Joseph Haydn, Piano Sonata No. 38. Performance by Ivan Ilić, recorded in Manchester in December, 2006 [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Haydn_sonata_hob._XVI_23_mvt_1.oga]. File originally from IMSLP. * Extract from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Sonata No. 13 in B-Flat Major, iii. Allegretto Grazioso [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wolfgang_Amadeus_Mozart_-_sonata_no._13_in_b_flat_major,_k.333_-_iii._allegretto_grazioso.ogg]. File originally from Musopen. * Extract from George Frideric Handel, Suite I, No. 2 in F Major, ii. Allegro [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:George_Frideric_Handel_-_suite_i,_no._2_in_f_major,_hwv_427_-_ii._allegro.ogg]. File originally from Musopen. * Extract from Ludwig van Beethoven, Piano Sonata No. 28 in A major [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Beethoven_-_Piano_Sonata_No._28_in_A_Major,_Op._101_-_I._Etwas_lebhaft,_und_mit_der_innigsten_Empfindung.ogg]. File originally from Musopen.

In this episode, we talk about Lyme, the connection between Anne and Captain Benwick, whether these chapters make us wonder if Anne will end up with someone other than Captain Wentworth, and Louisa’s fall from the steps. The characters we discuss are Captains Harville and Benwick. In the historical section, Ellen talks about romantic poetry, and for popular culture Harriet discusses the 2022 Netflix film adaptation of Persuasion. Things we mention: General discussion: * Janet Todd and Antje Blank [Editors], The Cambridge Edition of the Works of Jane Austen: Persuasion [https://www.cambridge.org/au/universitypress/subjects/literature/literary-texts/persuasion] (2006) * Samuel Johnson, The Rambler [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rambler] (periodical, published 1750-1752) * Dr John Gregory [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Gregory_(moralist)] * Hester Chapone [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hester_Chapone] * Stairs on the Cobb * The stairs closest to the shore (used in the 1971 adaptation) [http://readingjaneausten.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Cobb_steps_1971.jpg] * The middle set of stairs, known as ‘Granny’s teeth’ (used in the 1995 adaptation) [http://readingjaneausten.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Cobb_steps_1995.jpg] * The third set of stairs (used in the 2007 and 2022 adaptations) [http://readingjaneausten.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Cobb_steps_2007.png] * Google map [https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=18GT5GkBZsjh4DEFCqiczdt5V9KQB_cDq&usp=sharing] of the steps on the Cobb  For a list of references in the Historical and Popular culture sections, see this episode [https://readingjaneausten.com/index.php/2025/04/28/persuasion-episode-5-chapters-11-12/] on our website.

In this episode, we talk about how how Jane Austen has solved the problem of the infodump, the realism of the scene with little Walter, how she shows the relations within families, and how events on the walk to Winthrop affect Wentworth’s feelings. The characters we discuss are Louisa and Henrietta Musgrove. In the historical section, Ellen talks about curates, and for popular culture Harriet discusses the 2007 ITV film adaptation of Persuasion. Things we mention: General discussion: * Janet Todd and Antje Blank [Editors], The Cambridge Edition of the Works of Jane Austen: Persuasion [https://www.cambridge.org/au/universitypress/subjects/literature/literary-texts/persuasion] (2006) * Maria Edgeworth [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maria_Edgeworth] (reference in the Persuasion footnotes is to A Memoir of Maria Edgeworth with a Selection from her Letters (1867), vold. 2, pp. 5-6.) Character discussion: * Irene Collins, Jane Austen and the Clergy [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2393040.Jane_Austen_and_the_Clergy] (2002) Historical discussion: * Anthony Trollope, The Last Chronicle of Barset [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/149789.The_Last_Chronicle_of_Barset] (1867) * Stipendiary Curate Act 1713  Popular culture discussion: * Clerkenwell Films, Persuasion [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0844330/] (2007) – starring Sally Hawkins and Rupert Penry-Jones * Watch on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgjCPrLb9UxIxXJSvy-unoeT7EqHYI5Ky] * Stairs on the Cobb [http://readingjaneausten.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Cobb_steps_2007.png] (photo) * Louisa’s fall [https://youtu.be/OnAk4yszEgk?si=emp28o-IzIhjFUsO&t=158] (this YouTube video shows the same scene from four different adaptations of Persuasion) Creative commons music used: * Extract from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Sonata No. 12 in F Major, ii. Adagio [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mozart_-_Piano_Sonata_No._12_in_F_Major,_K.332_-_II._Adagio.ogg]. * Extract from Joseph Haydn, Piano Sonata No. 38. Performance by Ivan Ilić, recorded in Manchester in December, 2006 [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Haydn_sonata_hob._XVI_23_mvt_1.oga]. File originally from IMSLP. * Extract from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Sonata No. 13 in B-Flat Major, iii. Allegretto Grazioso [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wolfgang_Amadeus_Mozart_-_sonata_no._13_in_b_flat_major,_k.333_-_iii._allegretto_grazioso.ogg]. File originally from Musopen. * Extract from George Frideric Handel, Suite I, No. 2 in F Major, ii. Allegro [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:George_Frideric_Handel_-_suite_i,_no._2_in_f_major,_hwv_427_-_ii._allegro.ogg]. File originally from Musopen. * Extract from Ludwig van Beethoven, Piano Sonata No. 28 in A major [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Beethoven_-_Piano_Sonata_No._28_in_A_Major,_Op._101_-_I._Etwas_lebhaft,_und_mit_der_innigsten_Empfindung.ogg]. File originally from Musopen.

This is an in-between ‘extras’ episode. Our episodes are normally not more than an hour in length, which means that we usually have to cut a certain amount of material in the editing. But for Episode 3, we had much more material than usual. So we kept the episode down to an hour, but decided to release an ‘extras’ episode, with some of the bits we edited out. It’s a bit disjointed, but we hope you enjoy it. THINGS WE MENTION Character discussion: * Sheila Kaye-Smith and G.B. Stern, Talking of Jane Austen [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1102190.Talking_of_Jane_Austen] (1943) and More Talk of Jane Austen (1950) Historical discussion: * The Aubrey & Maturin [https://www.goodreads.com/series/40333-aubrey-maturin] novels of Patrick O’Brien * Admiral Thomas Cochrane [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Cochrane%2C_10th_Earl_of_Dundonald] (1775-1860) Popular culture discussion: * BBC Film, Persuasion [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114117/] (1995) – starring Amanda Root and Ciarán Hinds * The Bounty [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086993/] (1984) CREATIVE COMMONS MUSIC USED * Extract from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Sonata No. 12 in F Major, ii. Adagio [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mozart_-_Piano_Sonata_No._12_in_F_Major,_K.332_-_II._Adagio.ogg]. * Extract from Joseph Haydn, Piano Sonata No. 38. Performance by Ivan Ilić, recorded in Manchester in December, 2006 [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Haydn_sonata_hob._XVI_23_mvt_1.oga]. File originally from IMSLP. * Extract from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Sonata No. 13 in B-Flat Major, iii. Allegretto Grazioso [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wolfgang_Amadeus_Mozart_-_sonata_no._13_in_b_flat_major,_k.333_-_iii._allegretto_grazioso.ogg]. File originally from Musopen. * Extract from George Frideric Handel, Suite I, No. 2 in F Major, ii. Allegro [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:George_Frideric_Handel_-_suite_i,_no._2_in_f_major,_hwv_427_-_ii._allegro.ogg]. File originally from Musopen. * Extract from Ludwig van Beethoven, Piano Sonata No. 28 in A major [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Beethoven_-_Piano_Sonata_No._28_in_A_Major,_Op._101_-_I._Etwas_lebhaft,_und_mit_der_innigsten_Empfindung.ogg]. File originally from Musopen.

In this episode, we talk about how how Jane Austen tells us about the feelings of Anne and Captain Wentworth, and how the narrator captures Anne’s emotions; the building up of the relationship between Charles and Mary, and their reaction to Little Charles’ accident; Mrs Musgrove’s feelings about her son; and Mrs Croft’s travels. The character we discuss is Captain Wentworth. In the historical section, Harriet’s partner Michael talks about the Navy, and for popular culture both Harriet and Michael discuss 1995 BBC film adaptation of Persuasion. Things we mention: General discussion: * Janet Todd and Antje Blank [Editors], The Cambridge Edition of the Works of Jane Austen: Persuasion [https://www.cambridge.org/au/universitypress/subjects/literature/literary-texts/persuasion] (2006) * Google map [https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=18GT5GkBZsjh4DEFCqiczdt5V9KQB_cDq&usp=sharing] of locations in Persuasion Character discussion: * First Impressions podcast, ‘Ep 17: Persuading Kristin to Like Persuasion [https://firstimpressionspodcast.podbean.com/e/ep-17-persuading-kristin-to-like-persuasion/]‘, 22 January 2017. Historical discussion: * The Aubrey & Maturin [https://www.goodreads.com/series/40333-aubrey-maturin] novels of Patrick O’Brien * The Hornblower [https://www.goodreads.com/series/49812-hornblower-saga-chronological-order]novels of C.S. Forester * Admiral Thomas Cochrane [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Cochrane%2C_10th_Earl_of_Dundonald] (1775-1860) * Security to Merchant Ships Act 1707 (6 Ann. c. 65), generally known as the Cruisers and Convoys Act 1708 * Distribution of prize money: see table on our website [https://readingjaneausten.com/index.php/2025/02/04/persuasion-episode-3-chapters-7-8/] Popular culture discussion: * BBC Film, Persuasion [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114117/] (1995) – starring Amanda Root and Ciarán Hinds * Watch on YouTube [https://youtu.be/NKdcX6jId-M] * Stairs on the Cobb [http://readingjaneausten.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Cobb_steps_1995.jpg] (photo) * Louisa’s fall [https://youtu.be/OnAk4yszEgk?si=emp28o-IzIhjFUsO&t=92] (this YouTube video shows the same scene from four different adaptations of Persuasion) * The Bounty [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086993/] (1984) Creative commons music used: * Extract from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Sonata No. 12 in F Major, ii. Adagio [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mozart_-_Piano_Sonata_No._12_in_F_Major,_K.332_-_II._Adagio.ogg]. * Extract from Joseph Haydn, Piano Sonata No. 38. Performance by Ivan Ilić, recorded in Manchester in December, 2006 [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Haydn_sonata_hob._XVI_23_mvt_1.oga]. File originally from IMSLP. * Extract from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Sonata No. 13 in B-Flat Major, iii. Allegretto Grazioso [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wolfgang_Amadeus_Mozart_-_sonata_no._13_in_b_flat_major,_k.333_-_iii._allegretto_grazioso.ogg]. File originally from Musopen. * Extract from George Frideric Handel, Suite I, No. 2 in F Major, ii. Allegro [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:George_Frideric_Handel_-_suite_i,_no._2_in_f_major,_hwv_427_-_ii._allegro.ogg]. File originally from Musopen. * Extract from Christoph Willibald Gluck, Orfeo ed Euridice [https://imslp.org/wiki/Orfeo_ed_Euridice,_Wq.30_(Gluck,_Christoph_Willibald)]. File from IMSLP. * Extract from