In this episode, we read Chapters 8 to 11 of Mansfield Park. We revisit the issue of how Jane Austen opposes Fanny and Mary, and look at the flirting techniques of Mary and Henry, Fanny’s expectations of Edmund, whether there is symbolism in the scene at the ha-ha, and Mary’s criticism of Dr Grant.The characters we talk about are Maria and Julia, and then Ellen looks at the idea of improvement of estates – and what a ha-ha is. Harriet’s discussion of the popular culture versions is a bit shorter than usual, owing to the fact that two of the adaptations completely omit the Sotherton section.  For a list of references and other links, plus photographs of ha-has, see <a href='http://readingjaneausten.com/index.php/2022/01/26/mansfield-park-episode-3-chapters-8-11/'>this episode on our website</a>.

In which Ellen talks about the improvement of estates, and about ha-has

In which Harriet talks about popular culture versions

S03E04 Mansfield Park: Episode 4, Chapters 12-16

Ellen and Harriet are a mother and daughter who have been talking about Jane Austen together since Harriet was first old enough to read her. In this podcast, we will be doing a close reading of the books.In each episode, we will look at a few chapters. As well as talking about anything that strikes us in the chapters, we will also pick a favourite sentence, have a discussion about one of the characters, and then Ellen will give a social historian perspective about some element of the nineteenth century that seems pertinent, and Harriet will talk about the chapters in pop culture adaptations of the book.