Jane Austen's "Emma" as a Mystery Novel

Class Description

Jane Austen’s 1815 novel is a satirical proto-mystery novel, though instead of corpses we have couples, and instead of “whodunit” the question is “who should marry whom?” Austen provides us with a clueless heroine, as well as plenty of hidden hints and red herrings, so that reading this novel is an exercise in literary detection. We will discuss this early masterpiece of literary realism that focuses on a deluded protagonist in order to explore the themes of interpretation and misinterpretation, illusion vs. reality, and the instrumental treatment of others. The novel will be examined in its social and cultural context, tracing the development of the nineteenth-century novel as a narrative form, as well as addressing the role of women in Regency society. We will also look at the robust afterlife of Jane Austen and Emma, with literary, TV, and film adaptations.

All virtual classes are recorded and made available to participants registered in the class. These recordings are password-protected and available for up to two weeks after the class ends.

Elzbieta Foeller-Pituch is the Assistant Director of the Chabraja Center for Historical Studies at Northwestern University, where she also teaches literature classes.

What to Expect

Format: Virtual

Class Capacity: 20

Class Style: Mix of lecture and discussion; participation encouraged  

Materials List

Required

• Jane Austen, Emma: A Norton Critical Edition. W. W. Norton & Company, 2011. ISBN: 978-0393927641

Optional Background Viewing

• Emma (2020). Directed by Autumn de Wilde.
• Clueless (1995). Directed by Amy Heckerling.
• Emma (1996 theatrical film). Directed by Douglas McGrath.
• Emma (1996 TV film). Directed by Diarmuid Lawrence.

First Reading

• For the first class meeting please read the Introduction and Volume I of Emma—about 98 pages.

A Brief Syllabus

1. Introduction and Volume I; Emma as a realist novel.
2. Volume II; Emma as satire.
3. Volume III; Emma as comedy.

Cost and Registration

3 Sessions, $135 ($121.50 for Newberry members, seniors, and students). Learn about becoming a member.

We offer our classes at three different price options: Regular ($135), Community Supported ($125), and Sponsor ($145). Following the models of other institutions, we want to ensure that our classes are accessible to a wider audience while continuing to support our instructors. You may choose the price that best fits your situation when registering through Learning Stream.

To register multiple people for this class, please go through the course calendar in Learning Stream, our registration platform. When you select the course and register, you’ll be prompted to add another registrant.

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