In this episode we look at the published version of Chapter 22. We talk about how proactive Anne is in these final chapters, the arrival of Charles, Mary and the Musgrove clan, Louisa’s change in personality, how the Musgroves all want Anne to be with them, and the first time Wentworth actually refers to the time he and Anne were together.

The characters we discuss is are Charles and Mary Musgrove. In the historical section, Michael talks about the shooting, and for popular culture Harriet looks at two books that retell Persuasion from the point of view of another character.

Things we mention:

General discussion:

• Janet Todd and Antje Blank [Editors], The Cambridge Edition of the Works of Jane Austen: Persuasion (2006)
• Sheila Kaye-Smith and G.B. Stern, Talking of Jane Austen (1943) and More Talk of Jane Austen (1950)

Historical discussion:

• E. W. Bovill, English Country Life, 1780-1830 (1962)
• ‘The Thing About Willoughby’s Pointers with guest Dr. Stephanie Howard-Smith‘, The Thing About Austen podcast, Episode 73

Popular culture discussion:

• Amanda Grange, Captain Wentworth’s Diary (2007)
• Dorothea-Sofia Rossellini, Mrs Clay: The Austen Expert’s Companion to ‘Persuasion’ (2016)
• Diana Birchall, In Defense of Mrs Elton (1999)

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.

In this much-delayed episode (recorded months ago, but stuck in editing limbo), we look at Chapter 21, and the original version of Chapter 22, which Jane Austen rewrote before publication to become the Chapters 22 and 23 we now have. This cancelled chapter is available in many modern editions of the book. We talk about Mrs Smith’s infodump about Mr Elliot, her change in tone, her patronising attitude towards Nurse Rooke, how in the cancelled chapter Anne was more of an observer (compared to the much better final version where she has regained her voice), and the fact that the cancelled chapter is unpolished, and even if Jane Austen had retained that, it would still have been improved before publication.

The character we discuss is Mr Elliot. In the historical section, Michael talks about the engagements, and for popular culture Harriet reflects on the various film adaptations of Persuasion, considering some of the characters, as well as how each adaptation deals with three key scenes (presenting the backstory, Louisa’s fall, and the scene at the White Hart Inn).

Things we mention:

General discussion:

• Janet Todd and Antje Blank [Editors], The Cambridge Edition of the Works of Jane Austen: Persuasion (2006)
• Paul Wray, ‘Persuasion: Why the Revised Ending Works So Well’, Persuasions Online (2017), Volume 38, No. 1, Winter 2017.

Historical discussion:

• Rory Muir, Love and Marriage in the Age of Jane Austen (2024)

Popular culture discussion:

• Podcast Into the Austenverse
• BBC, Persuasion (1971) – starring Ann Firbank and Bryan Marshall.
  • Watch on YouTube: Part 1 and Part 2
• TVE, Novela: Persuasión (1972) – starring Maite Blasco and Juan Diego
  • Watch on YouTube
• BBC Film, Persuasion (1995) – starring Amanda Root and Ciarán Hinds
  • Watch on YouTube
• Clerkenwell Films, Persuasion (2007) – starring Sally Hawkins and Rupert Penry-Jones
  • Watch on YouTube
• Netflix, Persuasion (2022) – starring Dakota Johnson and Cosmo Jarvis
• Louisa’s fall from the Cobb (this YouTube video shows the same scene from the 1971, 1995, 2007 and 2022 adaptations of Persuasion)

For a list of music used, see this episode on our website.

In this episode, we talk about private communications in public spaces, Wentworth’s possible feelings in the encounter at Mollands and in the Assembly Room, the question of whether Lady Russell was legitimately trying to identify a set of curtains, and Anne’s feelings towards Mr Elliot.

The character we discuss is Elizabeth Elliot. In the historical section, Michael talks about the Bath Assembly Rooms, and for popular culture Harriet discusses the 2023 independent film Persuasion.

Things we mention:

General discussion:

• Janet Todd and Antje Blank [Editors], The Cambridge Edition of the Works of Jane Austen: Persuasion (2006)

Historical discussion:

• Blackadder the Third (1987)
• YouTube video: Dr Timothy Moore, ‘Change & Challenge: The History of Bath’s Assembly Rooms‘, Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution, 30 July 2024
• Assembly Rooms floorplan
  (Source: http://www.victoriahinshaw.com/victorias-vibes—-a-blog/archives/05-2019)

Popular culture discussion:

• Persuasion (2023, Agatha Films) – starring Skylar Pierce and Dan Brown

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.