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The Thing About Austen

Author: The Thing About Austen

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The Thing About Austen is a podcast about Jane Austen's world — the people, objects, and culture that shape Austen's fiction. Come for the historical context and stay for the literary shenanigans. Think of us as your somewhat cheeky tour guides to the life and times of Jane Austen.
102 Episodes
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Comments (4)

Janet Lafler

Swallows and Amazons!

Jun 4th
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Janet Lafler

Good episode. I think, though, that it's not just the "working for a living" that makes Lizzy's mother's family objectionable, but the fact that they aren't landed gentry. I forget when it occurred to me that Mr. Bennet really did marry down; her family has no inherited wealth and no "breeding." Lady Catherine would probably object nearly as much to Caroline Bingley as a wife for Darcy, since the Bingleys, though independently wealthy, are new money. Consider, in contrast, Col. Fitzwilliam, who has no money to speak of (that whole primogeniture thing), but is the younger son of an earl, and who, after Darcy's marriage, will probably be Lady Catherine's next target as a husband for Anne.

Mar 9th
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Janet Lafler

Another spinster who marries late is Miss Taylor. I don't think we're ever told her age, but she's old enough to have been Emma's governess for 16 years and young enough to become pregnant, so she's probably in her late 30s or early 40s when she marries Mr. Weston. It may be that a spinster's best chance of marrying after 30 would be to a widower like Weston.

May 4th
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Janet Lafler

I think Edmund is worse than just a drip. He's obtuse and incredibly self-centered, and his involvement in attempting to convince Fanny to accept Crawford is unforgivable. I think even his early kindness to Fanny can be read as him showing off what a good guy he is. Jerk.

May 4th
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