S05E07 Persuasion, Chapters 16 to 18

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.