You're Dead to Me Jane Austen (Radio Edit)
Dr. Lucy Worsley, a historian and expert on Jane Austen, teams up with comedian Sally Phillips to explore the life of this literary icon. They delve into Austen's family background, her juvenile writings, and the societal factors shaping her characters. The duo discusses the feminist undertones in her work, publishing struggles, and her relationships, including a brief engagement. They also examine how Austen’s novels critique social issues, ensuring her legacy endures in both literature and adaptations.
28:13
Playful Childhood Shaped Her Writing
- Jane Austen grew up in a lively household with six brothers and one sister, often entertaining them with plays and jokes.
- Sally Phillips relates to Austen's early family performances and youthful comic writing as formative for her craft.
Pseudo‑Gentry Influenced Her Themes
- Austen belonged to the "pseudo-gentry," aspiring to gentility without owning land which shaped her social outlook.
- Lucy Worsley links this status to themes of appearance, aspiration and financial insecurity in Austen's work.
Early Juvenilia Was Wildly Satirical
- As a teenager Austen wrote juvenilia full of violent, madcap scenes and a novella later adapted as Love and Friendship.
- Lucy highlights these early parodies as direct precursors to her polished adult novels.
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Intro
00:00 • 2min
Introducing Jane Austen and Guests
01:30 • 3min
Austen's Cultural Reach and Adaptations
04:09 • 42sec
Family Background and Social Standing
04:50 • 1min
Siblings, Childhood Work, and Education
06:10 • 3min
Early Writing: Juvenilia and Plays
08:49 • 1min
Drafting the Major Novels
10:10 • 54sec
Pride and Prejudice: Lizzy and Social Outsider Theme
11:04 • 1min
Publishing Struggles and Early Sales
12:22 • 2min
Marriage Plots and Austen's Choices
14:40 • 1min
The Harris Bigg-Wither Engagement
15:50 • 2min
Life in Bath and Financial Hardship
18:12 • 1min
Chawton and Publishing Success
19:30 • 45sec
Mansfield Park and Slavery Critique
20:15 • 1min
Emma, Persuasion, Sanditon and Illness
21:26 • 43sec
Death and Posthumous Publications
22:09 • 35sec
Austen's Historical Context and Subtle Politics
22:44 • 2min
Nuance Window: Austen's Ambition and Feminism
24:25 • 2min
Characters Living On and Personal Details
26:29 • 2min
Ad break
28:26 • 2min
#14647
• Mentioned in 3 episodes
Sanditon
Jane Austen
#4371
• Mentioned in 9 episodes
Bridget Jones's Diary
Helen Fielding
The novel follows Bridget Jones, a thirtysomething single woman working in publishing, as she records her New Year's resolutions to stop smoking, reduce drinking, and improve her health.
Throughout the year, Bridget navigates her relationships with her boss Daniel Cleaver and the aloof Mark Darcy, while dealing with family issues, career challenges, and her own self-improvement efforts.
The book is known for its witty and relatable portrayal of single life in London.
#889
• Mentioned in 34 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.
#6977
• Mentioned in 6 episodes
Love and Friendship
Jane Austen
monica arcija
#11952
• Mentioned in 4 episodes
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
Seth Grahame-Smith
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies is a comedic horror novel by Seth Grahame-Smith that reimagines Jane Austen's classic story.
The novel incorporates elements of zombie fiction into the original plot, creating a unique blend of romance, social commentary, and gore.
Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy must not only navigate the complexities of their relationship but also fight off hordes of zombies.
The novel's blend of witty dialogue and gruesome action makes it a popular choice for fans of both Austen and horror.
The book's success demonstrates the enduring appeal of Austen's characters and themes, even in unexpected contexts.
#1966
• Mentioned in 18 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.
#1408
• Mentioned in 24 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.
#799
• Mentioned in 36 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.
#18141
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
Jane Austen at Home
Lucy Worsley
In 'Jane Austen at Home', Lucy Worsley offers a richly detailed portrait of Austen, examining the places and spaces that mattered to her.
The book reveals a passionate woman who fought for her freedom, challenging the traditional view of Austen as a quiet spinster.
Worsley delves into Austen's life from her childhood home at Steventon Rectory to her final years at Chawton Cottage, highlighting her struggles and determination.
#965
• Mentioned in 32 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.
#55
• Mentioned in 207 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.
Greg Jenner is joined in Regency England by historian Dr Lucy Worsley and actor Sally Phillips to learn all about the life and works of literary legend Jane Austen on the 250th anniversary of her birth in December 1775.
It is a truth universally acknowledged that Jane Austen is one of England’s best-loved authors, and the creator of such indelible characters as Elizabeth Bennet, Mr Darcy, Emma Woodhouse and Elinor and Marianne Dashwood. Whether you have read one of her six books – Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Persuasion, Emma, Northanger Abbey and Mansfield Park – or seen one of the many adaptations, most of us have some experience with Austen. But her life story and how it influenced her writing is perhaps less well-known. This episode explores her early life as the daughter of a rural clergyman, takes a peek inside the books a teenage Jane was reading, and delves into her romantic and familial relationships to see what shaped Austen into the formidable literary talent she was. And it asks a key question: was Jane Austen, who wrote such wonderful women characters, a feminist?
This is a radio edit of the original podcast episode. For the full-length version, please look further back in the feed.
Hosted by: Greg Jenner Research by: Clara Chamberlain and Charlotte Emily Edgeshaw Written by: Emmie Rose Price-Goodfellow, Emma Nagouse, and Greg Jenner Produced by: Emmie Rose Price-Goodfellow and Greg Jenner Audio Producer: Steve Hankey Production Coordinator: Ben Hollands Senior Producer: Emma Nagouse Executive Editor: Philip Sellars