Critics at Large | The New Yorker Our Romance with Jane Austen
Dec 25, 2025
Explore the lasting charm of Jane Austen as hosts dive into her six novels and share personal favorites. They discuss the complex character of Emma Woodhouse and the emotional depth of Persuasion, particularly the significance of Wentworth’s letter. The panel debates the balance of satire and sincerity in Austen's work and the mystery surrounding her life that captivates readers. Adaptations and cultural relevance in today's society are also examined, highlighting Austen's enduring appeal in a modern context.
46:22
Romance And Satire Coexisting
- Jane Austen blends romance and sharp social satire in the same novels, making irony and sincerity coexist.
- That mix creates stories that are both realistic and fantastical, which keeps readers endlessly fascinated.
Emma As A Story Of Misreading
- Alexandra Schwartz describes Emma as a novel built around misreading and a central mystery involving Frank Churchill.
- She likens reading Emma to reading a bad novelist with 'main character syndrome.'
Persuasion's Quiet Emotional Power
- Persuasion centers on Anne Elliot's loneliness and long-sustained interior life after a romantic mistake.
- The novel's power culminates in Captain Wentworth's letter, which breaks that silence with intense emotional clarity.
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Intro
00:00 • 35sec
Why Jane Austen Now
00:35 • 3min
Austen's Six Novels Overview
03:57 • 1min
Alexandra on Emma's Misreading
05:01 • 4min
Emma's Unique Heroine
08:38 • 2min
Naomi on Persuasion's Solitude
10:52 • 4min
The Power of Wentworth's Letter
15:10 • 2min
Vinson on Mansfield Park's Narration
17:12 • 5min
Ad break
22:40 • 2min
Why We Love Austen's Wit and Romance
24:45 • 2min
Satire Versus Sincerity Debate
27:09 • 3min
Austen's Position: Inside and Outside
29:52 • 3min
Why Readers Fixate on Austen
33:11 • 5min
Endurance and Adaptability of Austen
38:07 • 2min
Favorite Adaptations and Keira Knightley
40:24 • 2min
Listener Letters on Persuasion Today
42:25 • 3min
Can Society Manufacture Love?
45:27 • 3min
Outro
48:14 • 1min
#814
• Mentioned in 38 episodes
Mansfield Park
Jane Austen
monica arcija
The novel follows Fanny Price, a young girl from a poor family who is sent to live with her wealthy uncle and aunt, Sir Thomas and Lady Bertram, at Mansfield Park.
Fanny navigates the complexities of her new environment, dealing with the mistreatment by some family members and the kindness of her cousin Edmund.
The story unfolds with the arrival of the charming but morally dubious Crawfords, leading to a series of scandals and moral dilemmas.
Ultimately, Fanny's integrity and compassion guide her through the challenges, and she finds love and a sense of belonging with Edmund.
#11005
• Mentioned in 4 episodes
Sanditon
Jane Austen
#1772
• Mentioned in 22 episodes
Northanger Abbey
Jane Austen
Northanger Abbey is a coming-of-age story that satirizes the Gothic novels of the late 18th century.
The novel follows Catherine Morland, a young and naive girl who loves reading Gothic novels.
When she is invited to stay at Northanger Abbey, the home of the Tilney family, her imagination runs wild with expectations of mystery and horror.
However, the reality of the abbey is far from her Gothic fantasies.
The novel explores Catherine's growth as she learns to distinguish between fiction and reality, and it critiques the societal norms and expectations of her time.
Written by Jane Austen, the book was completed in 1803 but published posthumously in 1817 along with Persuasion.
#529
• Mentioned in 51 episodes
Emma
Jane Austen
juan perez
The novel follows Emma Woodhouse, a beautiful, clever, and rich young woman who has lived nearly twenty-one years with very little distress.
Emma decides to take up matchmaking, despite the advice of her friend Mr. Knightley.
Her attempts to match her new friend Harriet Smith with various men lead to complications and ultimately test her own detachment from the world of romance.
The novel explores themes of education, courtship, and social class in Georgian-Regency England, highlighting Emma's journey of self-discovery and learning from her mistakes.
#777
• Mentioned in 40 episodes
Persuasion
Jane Austen
Published posthumously in December 1817, *Persuasion* is Jane Austen's last completed novel.
The story revolves around Anne Elliot, a 27-year-old woman who, at the age of 19, was persuaded to break off her engagement to Captain Frederick Wentworth due to his lack of wealth and connections.
Eight years later, Anne and Captain Wentworth, now a successful naval officer, meet again, setting the stage for a second chance at love and marriage.
The novel explores themes of love, social class, regret, and the consequences of pride and persuasion, reflecting the societal norms and expectations of the Regency era in England.
#22141
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
Lady Susan
Jane Austen
Written in the epistolary format, 'Lady Susan' revolves around the character of Lady Susan Vernon, a recent widow known for her beauty, charm, and manipulative nature.
The story unfolds through a series of letters, detailing Lady Susan's attempts to marry off her daughter Frederica to a wealthy but insipid man, Sir James Martin, while she herself pursues various romantic and financial interests.
The novel explores themes of deception, societal norms, and the complexities of relationships, all set against the backdrop of late 18th-century English society.
Despite her scandalous reputation, Lady Susan's charm and wit temporarily deceive those around her, including her brother-in-law's younger brother, Reginald De Courcy, until her true character is eventually revealed.
#811
• Mentioned in 38 episodes
Sense and Sensibility
Jane Austen
Published in 1811, 'Sense and Sensibility' is Jane Austen's first published novel.
It tells the story of the Dashwood sisters, Elinor and Marianne, who, along with their mother and younger sister Margaret, are forced to leave their family estate after their father's death.
The novel explores the contrast between Elinor's practical sense and Marianne's emotional sensibility as they experience romantic relationships and heartbreak.
Elinor falls in love with Edward Ferrars, who is secretly engaged to another woman, while Marianne becomes infatuated with the unscrupulous John Willoughby.
Through their experiences, Austen delves into themes of love, social class, and the balance between reason and emotion necessary for personal happiness.
#39
• Mentioned in 247 episodes
Pride and Prejudice
Jane Austen
Published in 1813, 'Pride and Prejudice' is a novel that revolves around the lives of the Bennet family, particularly the second eldest daughter, Elizabeth.
The story is set in the early 19th century and explores themes of love, societal expectations, and personal growth.
The novel centers on Elizabeth's tumultuous relationship with the wealthy and proud Mr. Darcy, whose initial arrogance and reserve gradually give way to a deeper understanding and mutual respect.
Through their interactions, both characters learn to overcome their prejudices and flaws, leading to a transformative journey of self-discovery and redemption.
The novel also delves into the societal pressures on women to secure marriages, the importance of family, and the nuances of social hierarchy during the British Regency period.
Though Jane Austen went largely unrecognized in her own lifetime—four of her six novels were published anonymously, and the other two only after her death—her name is now synonymous with the period romance. On this episode of Critics at Large, Vinson Cunningham, Naomi Fry, and Alexandra Schwartz choose their personal favorites from her œuvre—“Emma,” “Persuasion,” and “Mansfield Park”—and attempt to get to the heart of her appeal. Then they look at how Austen herself has been characterized by readers and critics. We know relatively little about Austen as a person, but that hasn’t stopped us from trying to understand her psyche. It’s a difficult task in part because of the double-edged quality to her writing: Austen, although renowned for her love stories, is also a keen satirist of the Regency society in which these relationships play out. “I think irony is so key, but also sincerity,” Schwartz says. “These books are about total realism and total fantasy meeting in a way that is endlessly alluring.”
This episode originally aired on June 12, 2025.
Read, watch, and listen with the critics:
“Pride and Prejudice,” by Jane Austen
“Persuasion,” by Jane Austen
“Emma,” by Jane Austen
“Mansfield Park,” by Jane Austen
“Sense and Sensibility,” by Jane Austen
“Northanger Abbey,” by Jane Austen
“Virginia Woolf on Jane Austen” (The New Republic)
Emily Nussbaum on “Breaking Bad” and the “Bad Fan” (The New Yorker)
“How to Misread Jane Austen,” by Louis Menand (The New Yorker)
“Miss Austen” (2025—)
“Pride and Prejudice” (2005)
Scenes Through Time’s “Mr. Darcy Yearning for 10 Minutes” Supercut
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Critics at Large is a weekly discussion from The New Yorker which explores the latest trends in books, television, film, and more. Join us every Thursday as we make unexpected connections between classic texts and pop culture.
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