S02E07 Sense and Sensibility, Chapters 32 to 36

2021-04-17

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In this episode, we read Chapters 32 to 36 of Sense and Sensibility. We talk about how this is a transitional section, and yet contains some of the funniest scenes in the book. We consider the different styles of the intertwined plots (the ‘Marianne plot’, the ‘Elinor plot’ and the ‘moral story’), talk about the comic scenes with Robert Ferrars and with John Dashwood, and the emotional – but also funny – scene with Edward. We also talk about primogeniture and family obligations.We discuss Mrs Dashwood, and Ellen talks about the London locations in the book (see also this ...

In this episode, we read Chapters 32 to 36 of Sense and Sensibility. We talk about how this is a transitional section, and yet contains some of the funniest scenes in the book. We consider the different styles of the intertwined plots (the ‘Marianne plot’, the ‘Elinor plot’ and the ‘moral story’), talk about the comic scenes with Robert Ferrars and with John Dashwood, and the emotional – but also funny – scene with Edward. We also talk about primogeniture and family obligations.

We discuss Mrs Dashwood, and Ellen talks about the London locations in the book (see also this map Harriet has put together). Harriet reviews how the popular culture versions deal with these chapters.

Map of locations:

Google map of the places mentioned in Sense and Sensibility, including approximate locations of the houses. Zoom in to see the London locations.

Things we mention:

References:

Edward Copeland [Editor], The Cambridge Edition of the Works of Jane Austen: Sense and Sensibility (2006)
Sheila Kaye-Smith and G.B. Stern, Talking of Jane Austen (1943) and More Talk of Jane Austen (1950)
Elaine and Lancelot
Walter Scott, The Bride of Lammermoor (1819)
Alexander Pope, ‘Elegy to the Memory of an Unfortunate Lady‘ (1717)
William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, Much Ado About Nothing and Twelfth Night
Maria Edgeworth, Moral Tales (1801)
Helena Kelly, Jane Austen, the Secret Radical (2016)

Film and television adaptations of the book:

BBC, Sense and Sensibility (1971) – starring Joanna David and Ciaran Madden (4 episodes)
BBC, Sense and Sensibility (1981) – starring Irene Richard and Tracey Childs (7 episodes)
Columbia Pictures, Sense and Sensibility (1995) – starring Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet
BBC, Sense and Sensibility (2008) – starring Hattie Morahan and Charity Wakefield (3 episodes)

Modernisations of the book:

Sri Surya Films, Kandukondain Kandukondain (2000) – starring Tabu and Aishwarya Rai
MWM Studios, From Prada to Nada (2011) – starring Camilla Belle and Alexa PenaVega
Joanna Trollope, Sense & Sensibility (The Austen Project #1) (2013)

Creative commons music used: