S05E06 Persuasion, Chapters 13 to 15

In this episode, we talk about these transitional chapters between the events at Lyme and the move to Bath. We consider the position of the old nurse in the Musgrove household, how Anne is feeling a bit sorry for herself, the delightful scenes with the Crofts and with Charles and Mary, how Mr Elliot is described as ‘underhung’, and the way Anne and Mr Elliot get on well with each other.

The characters we discuss are Mr and Mrs Musgrove. In the historical section, Ellen talks about Bath, and for popular culture Harriet discusses the 2019 YouTube series Rational Creatures.

Things we mention:

General discussion:

• Janet Todd and Antje Blank [Editors], The Cambridge Edition of the Works of Jane Austen: Persuasion (2006)
• Noel Streatfeild, Gran-Nannie (1976) and Ballet Shoes (1936)
• Novels of Charlotte M. Yonge
• Evelyn Waugh, Brideshead Revisited (1945)
• Alexander Pope, ‘The Rape of the Lock‘ (1712)

Historical discussion:

• The Venerable Bede (c.672-735)
• Nennius (9th century Welsh monk)
• Google map of locations in Persuasion, zoomed in on Bath

Popular culture discussion:

• Rational Creatures (2019, YouTube) – starring Kristina Pupo and Peter Giessl
• Harriet’s interview with the creators of Rational Creatures

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.