Mr. Bingley finally proposes to Jane in Chapters 53 through 55 of Pride and Prejudice . Vanessa and Lauren discuss the cyclical nature of the book, Jane and Bingley's love match, and whether Mr. Bennet has changed at all. Dr. Laura White joins us at the end of the episode to discuss Jane Austen's Anglicanism. Our next episode is May 5th, covering chapter 56. --- Don't spend your daughter's dowry, but if you can spare $2/month, we'd love to have your support on Patreon ! Hosted on Acast. Se...
Apr 21, 2023•46 min•Ep 30•Transcript available on Metacast As a special bonus episode, we're talking to our former host, Julia Argy, about the allure of reality dating shows and her new book The One . Just as many people dismiss romance novels as ‘trashy books’, there are a lot of TV shows geared at women that get dismissed as ‘trashy television.’ You know what we're talking about, shows like The Bachelor, Married at First Sight, Love is Blind. Shows that embrace and reproduce a fantasy about falling in love. In this episode, Vanessa and Julia dis...
Apr 18, 2023•21 min•Transcript available on Metacast Lydia and Wickham are married and returned to Longbourn in Chapters 51 and 52 of Pride and Prejudice . With new information about how the wedding went down, Vanessa and Lauren re-evaluate Lydia’s power in the situation and discuss Pride and Prejudice as the ultimate fantasy. Dr. Amy Harris joins us at the end of the episode to discuss sibling hierarchy and rivalry in Georgian England. Our next episode is April 21st, covering chapters 53 – 55. --- Don't spend your daughter's dowr...
Apr 07, 2023•44 min•Ep 29•Transcript available on Metacast Vanessa is joined for a small bonus conversation by Nathalie Folkerts, the director of our upcoming summer camp: Calling All Magnificent People. They explore how Nathalie's background in political organizing found a home in building our camp and discuss some of behind-the-scenes dreaming and decision making that's been happening. If you haven't yet signed up for camp, you can do so on our website ! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Apr 04, 2023•13 min•Transcript available on Metacast There is finally news of Lydia and Wickham in Chapters 49 and 50 of Pride and Prejudice . Vanessa and Lauren discuss and debate everyone’s reactions to the news. They tackle again a few favorite topics: Mrs. Bennet’s silliness, Mr. Bennet’s wry detachment, and Jane’s naiveté. Dr. Alexander Wakelam joins us at the end of the episode to teach us about gambling and debt in 18th century England. Our next episode is April 7th, covering chapters 51 + 52. --- Don't spend your daughter's dowry, bu...
Mar 24, 2023•51 min•Ep 28•Transcript available on Metacast We're in the middle of a Patreon drive here on Hot and Bothered, trying to increase our membership by 200 patrons. One of the wonderful things you can find on our Patreon is bonus interviews and extended interviews with experts! We're making this conversation with the brilliant Jennifer Regan-Lefebvre public so you get a sense of what that perk sounds like. Jennifer Regan-Lefebvre is a historian of modern Britain, Ireland, and British imperialism at Trinity College. She's the author of the wonde...
Mar 17, 2023•17 min•Transcript available on Metacast Lizzy and the Gardiners return to Longbourn in Chapters 47 and 48 of Pride and Prejudice . There is no news of Lydia and Wickham yet, but we are reunited with the rest of the Bennets and their theories and stress about the whole situation. Vanessa and Lauren discuss Mr. Bennet’s self-deprecating humor and Mrs. Bennet’s obsession with clothes. Dr. Kimberly A. Hamlin joins us at the end of the episode to teach us about age of consent laws in England and the US. Check out her wonderful book, Free T...
Mar 10, 2023•52 min•Ep 27•Transcript available on Metacast Darcy and Lizzy’s budding friendship (or is it more?) comes to an abrupt end when Lizzy gets a letter from Jane in Chapter 46 of Pride and Prejudice . Lydia and Wickham have run away together and so Lizzy and the Gardiner’s must leave immediately for Longbourn. Vanessa and Lauren discuss whether this plot point counts as a ‘kidnapping’ and whether marriage to Wickham is the best ending for Lydia. Dr. Ellen Stockstill joins us at the end of the episode to discuss the trope of the ‘fallen wo...
Feb 24, 2023•44 min•Ep 26•Transcript available on Metacast Happy Valentine's Day, everyone! We're taking time today to share a short interview with Charyti Reiter, Director of Clinical Services at On The Rise . Over the month of February, we're hoping to raise $10k to support their incredible organization. If you haven't already, please check out our fundraiser . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Feb 14, 2023•17 min•Transcript available on Metacast We finally meet Georgiana Darcy in Chapters 44 and 45 of Pride and Prejudice . Vanessa and Lauren discuss the awkwardness of the Darcy family and Austen's emerging definition of love as Lizzy begins to fall for Darcy at Pemberley. Dr. Chloe Angyal joins us at the end of the episode to discuss the invention of the enemies to lovers trope and its imprint on more modern romcoms. Be sure to check out her upcoming romance novel, Pas De Don't ! Our next episode is February 24th, covering Chapter 46.&n...
Feb 10, 2023•46 min•Ep 25•Transcript available on Metacast Elizabeth and the Gardiners arrive at Pemberley House in Chapter 43 of Pride and Prejudice . Vanessa and Lauren discuss the picture of benevolent aristocracy painted by Darcy's housekeeper, Mrs. Reynolds. They also discuss Elizabeth’s reaction to Pemberley and to seeing Darcy again. Darrick Borowski joins us at the end of the episode to discuss the architecture and aesthetics of Pemberley. Our next episode is February 10th, covering Chapters 44 + 45. --- Don't spend your daughter's d...
Jan 27, 2023•49 min•Ep 24•Transcript available on Metacast We're taking a quick pause in reading Pride and Prejudice to deep dive into the life and ideas of Mary Wollstonecraft. We've been bringing up Wollstonecraft a lot throughout this series, wondering how Pride and Prejudice reflects (or rejects) the feminist ideas of the era. This week, Lauren talks to Dr. Charlotte Gordon , author of Romantic Outlaws: The Extraordinary Lives of Mary Wollstonecraft and Her Daughter Mary Shelley. Lauren and Dr. Gordon discuss Wollstonecraft's life and radicalization...
Jan 13, 2023•39 min•Ep 23•Transcript available on Metacast Beloved co-host of Harry Potter and the Sacred Text , Matt Potts, released his book Forgiveness: An Alternative Account a few weeks ago and it is so! good!! We're very excited to bring you an exclusive excerpt from the book - read by Matt himself. You can find the book wherever books are sold, or snag a signed copy from our website ! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Jan 06, 2023•13 min•Transcript available on Metacast Elizabeth and Mr. Bennet butt heads about Lydia in Chapters 40, 41 and 42 of Pride and Prejudice . Vanessa and Lauren discuss Mr. Bennet’s parenting, the original sin of the Bennet marriage, and the power of secrets in these chapters. Joanne Begiato joins us at the end of the episode to discuss regency ideas of parenting and family. Our next episode is on January 13th, when we’ll be joined by a special guest to discuss the life and legacy of Mary Wollstonecraft. --- Don't spend your daughte...
Dec 30, 2022•46 min•Ep 22•Transcript available on Metacast This week we're sharing a special bonus interview with Dr. Emily Nagoski to talk about Lydia and the cultural norms around sexuality in regency England. Emily is a best-selling author, sex educator, and the host of a new podcast – Come As You Are . Stay tuned to the end of the episode for an excerpt of her episode "The Science of Horniness." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Dec 23, 2022•30 min•Ep 21•Transcript available on Metacast We’re finally headed back to Hertfordshire in Chapter 37, 38 and 39 of Pride and Prejudice . Vanessa and Lauren discuss the way Darcy’s letter has changed Lizzy and Lydia’s vulgarity. Kristin Samuelian joins us at the end of the episode to discuss the parallels between Lydia and Princess Caroline of Wales. Our next episode is on December 30th, when we’ll be reading Chapters 40 – 42. --- Don't spend your daughter's dowry, but if you can spare $2/month, we'd love to have your suppo...
Dec 16, 2022•48 min•Ep 20•Transcript available on Metacast Mr. Darcy finds Lizzy and hands her a letter in Chapters 35 and 36 of Pride and Prejudice . Vanessa and Lauren discuss the ‘romance’ of Darcy’s letter and the way in which it triggers a change in Lizzy. Joanna Rakoff joins us at the end of the episode to discuss coming-of-age novels and the history of letters in literature. Our next episode is on December 16th, when we’ll be reading Chapters 37 through 39. --- Don't spend your daughter's dowry, but if you can spare $2/month, we'd love to ha...
Dec 02, 2022•47 min•Ep 19•Transcript available on Metacast Mr. Darcy is banging down the door to declare his love to Lizzie in Chapter 33 and 34 of Pride and Prejudice . Vanessa and Lauren discuss the ‘civility’ of Darcy’s declaration and why it doesn’t work out with Colonel Fitzwilliam and Lizzie. Claudia L. Johnson joins us at the end of the episode to discuss Jane Austen’s politics. Our next episode is on December 2nd, when we’ll be reading Chapters 35 and 36. --- Don't spend your daughter's dowry, but if you can spare $2/month, we'd love to ha...
Nov 18, 2022•50 min•Ep 18•Transcript available on Metacast Vanessa is joined by Dana Schwartz to chat about their upcoming Rebecca pilgrimage and the theme of haunting. Find out more here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nov 14, 2022•14 min•Transcript available on Metacast Mr. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam have arrived at Rosings, bringing a little fun and intrigue to the Collins party. Colonel Fitzwilliam proves to be a charming new acquaintance while Darcy continues to be his awkward self. Vanessa and Lauren discuss whether Darcy and Lizzy are flirting yet and Lady Catherine’s narcissism. Margaret H. Willison joins us at the end of the episode to discuss the famous piano scene in chapter 31. Our next episode is on November 18th, when we’ll be reading Ch 33...
Nov 04, 2022•55 min•Ep 17•Transcript available on Metacast We're taking a brief break from Pride and Prejudice, to read one of the most popular romance books of our current moment: It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover. Vanessa is joined by former co-host of Twilight in Quarantine, Julia Argy, to dive into the novel. Together they discuss the abuse narrative in the text, the love story at the heart of it, and why they think this book is having a moment. This episode does contain spoilers, but we do our best to explain the book for those who haven't read it....
Oct 21, 2022•39 min•Transcript available on Metacast The Hunsford party is invited to Rosings in Chapter 29 of Pride and Prejudice. Lizzy finally has the chance to meet the much-discussed Lady Catherine de Bourgh and must answer all of her impertinent questions. Vanessa and Lauren discuss whether to read Lady Catherine generously and what she reflects about the power of the rich. Dr. Hannah McGregor joins us at the end of the episode to discuss sentimentality in the novel. Her book, A Sentimental Education , is available now! Our next episode is o...
Oct 07, 2022•51 min•Ep 16•Transcript available on Metacast Lizzy Bennet hits the road in Chapters 26 and 28 of Pride and Prejudice. Change is in the air in Hertfordshire – Wickham is pursuing something new, Jane is with her aunt and uncle in London, and Lizzy heads to Hunsford to see “the happy couple” (that is to say, Charlotte and Collins). In this episode, Vanessa and Lauren explore the difference between Charlotte and Wickham and role of ‘love’ in matrimony. Dr. Natalie Hanley-Smith joins us at the end of the episode to discuss Wickham’s f...
Sep 23, 2022•48 min•Ep 15•Transcript available on Metacast We're in the middle of a Patreon drive here on Hot and Bothered, trying to increase our membership to 1000 patrons. One of the wonderful things you can find on our Patreon is extended interviews with experts! We're making this conversation with the brilliant Claudia Johnson public so you get a sense of what that perk sounds like. Claudia Johnson is the Murray Professor of English Literature at Princeton University. Her many brilliant publications on Austen include Jane Austen's Cult and Cultures...
Sep 22, 2022•54 min•Transcript available on Metacast Jane and Elizabeth have a heart to heart about Bingley in Chapters 24 and 25 of Pride and Prejudice. Caroline has written Jane a letter saying that her party won’t be returning to Netherfield. But you know who is in town? Everyone’s favorite Aunt and Uncle: Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner. In this episode, Vanessa and Lauren continue their conversations about class, love, and marriage and look closely at Jane’s optimistic philosophy of life. Dr. Amy Hollywood joins us at the end of the episode to dis...
Sep 09, 2022•53 min•Ep 14•Transcript available on Metacast After Elizabeth’s refusal, Mr. Collins quickly turns his attention to Charlotte Lucas in Chapters 21 through 23 of Pride and Prejudice. And Lizzy isn’t the only Bennet sister who is suddenly lacking a suitor – Mr. Bingley an his party have left for London with no promise of returning. In this episode, Vanessa and Lauren explore Charlotte’s approach to marriage and poor Jane’s broken heart. Dr. Briallen Hopper joins us at the end of the episode to discuss spinsterhood in Austen’s age and our...
Aug 26, 2022•51 min•Ep 13•Transcript available on Metacast Mr. Collins finally makes his move in Chapters 19 and 20 of of Pride and Prejudice. He pulls Lizzy aside for his grand proposal… and can’t seem to understand it when Lizzy flatly refuses. Vanessa and Lauren explore different readings of Collins in this scene and discuss the ways that Pride and Prejudice offers a mirror for modern feminist readers. Dr. Talia Schaffer joins us at the end of the episode to discuss historical perspectives on Collins as a potential romantic partner. Our next ep...
Aug 12, 2022•52 min•Ep 12•Transcript available on Metacast We're taking a quick break from reading Pride and Prejudice to watch the 2005 movie adaptation with one of our favorite podcasts, Veronica Mars Investigations . Vanessa is joined by Helen Zaltzman and Jenny Owen Youngs to dig through the movie, comparing it along the way to the BBC mini-series and, of course, the original text. They ask important questions like: How does Elizabeth hear Darcy's insult at the Meryton Ball? Is Mr. Bennet the true villain of Pride and Prejudice ? And is Matthew McFa...
Jul 29, 2022•1 hr 9 min•Ep 11•Transcript available on Metacast It’s time for the Netherfield Ball in Chapters 17 and 18 of Pride and Prejudice . Mr. Darcy finally asks Lizzy to dance and the whole Bennet family seems to be on a mission to embarrass themselves in front of everyone. Vanessa and Lauren discuss the undercurrent of class privilege that surrounds balls in general and Lizzy’s prejudice around Darcy specifically. Dr. Amanda Calhoun joins us at the end of the episode to discuss the enemies to lovers trope from a psychological perspective. Our next e...
Jul 15, 2022•59 min•Ep 10•Transcript available on Metacast Last month, a new Pride and Prejudice adaptation dropped – Fire Island directed by Andrew Ahn. As your go-to place for all things Pride and Prejudice, we felt it was our duty to watch the film and report back on how it compares to the original. And we were lucky enough to get Tobin Low, the co-creator of the Nancy podcast and current editor at This American Life , in the studio to break it all down. We talk about our favorite moments and how the themes of family, class, and pride translate from ...
Jul 08, 2022•36 min•Ep 9•Transcript available on Metacast 
