S04E03 Emma, Chapters 11 to 15

In this episode, we read chapters 11 to 15 of Emma. We talk about the introduction of John and Isabella Knightley, how Emma really doesn’t understand the social world, the clash between Isabella and Mr Woodhouse about health – and how Emma and Mr Knightley are running interference – and the way in which the Frank/Jane plot is beginning to be introduced before the Harriet/Mr Elton plot is resolved.

The character we discuss is Mr Elton, and then Ellen talks about apothecaries. In the popular culture section, Harriet talks about the 1996 ITV telemovie adaptation of Emma.

Things we mention:

General discussion:

• Google Map of Emma locations

Character discussion:

• John Mullan, What Matters in Jane Austen?: Twenty Crucial Puzzles Solved (2012)

Historical discussion:

• Irvine Loudon. 1986. Medical Care and the General Practitioner, 1750-1850. (1986)
• S W F Holloway, ‘The Apothecaries’ Act of 1815: A Reinterpretation.’ Medical History 10, 1966: 107-29, 221-36

Popular culture discussion:

• Main version considered:
  • ITV, Emma (1996) – starring Kate Beckinsale and Mark Strong
• Other versions mentioned
  • BBC, Emma (1972) – starring Doran Godwin and John Carson
  • Miramax, Emma (1996) – starring Gwyneth Paltrow and Jeremy Northam

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.