Podcast Summary: Le Cours de l’histoire

Episode: « Jane Austen en son temps : Passion Jane Austen, la Régence anglaise sous les projecteurs »

Date: November 27, 2025
Host: Xavier Mauduit (France Culture)
Guests:

• Ariane Hudley, professeure de culture visuelle, Université Paris Cité
• Myriam Boussababravar, professeure d’histoire anglaise et civilisation britannique, Université Le Havre Normandie

Overview

This episode explores the extraordinary and enduring fascination with Jane Austen, both the author and the Regency era she depicted. The discussion examines why Austen's novels—centered on the English gentry at the turn of the 19th century—remain so resonant, why they are so frequently adapted, and how their themes connect with contemporary audiences worldwide. The hosts dissect cultural obsessions: the Regency fashion revival, social critique, universal love stories, adaptations in other contexts (such as Bollywood and Netflix’s Bridgerton), and Austen’s meaning today, including her feminist legacy and her place in pop culture.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Jane Austen’s Ever-Growing Popularity

• Initial Context & Modern Obsession (00:09–02:26)

  • Jane Austen is now omnipresent: in films, series, social media, and even themed parties drawing on Regency styles.

  • Ariane Hudley and Myriam Boussababravar explain how Austen has moved from being a well-read but not particularly "beloved" novelist (the Romantics found her too demure), to a major pop culture icon.

  • Post-WWI, Austen's novels were considered "therapeutic" for traumatized soldiers—a form of escapism and comfort.

    “On a considéré que la lecture des romans de Jane Austen était thérapeutique pour les soldats qui avaient été traumatisés…” —Ariane Hudley, 02:12

  • The 1990s marked a significant boom in adaptations, amplifying her global fame.

2. Romance vs. Reality: Austen’s Social Satire & Universal Obstacles

• Romance and Social Commentary (03:27–06:00)

  • Austen mixes 'feel good' romance with sharp satire and social observation.

  • Both guests stress that her appeal is not limited to happy endings: it's her narrative complexity and clever humor.

    “Ce serait participer aussi à une sorte de mépris de la culture populaire…” —Xavier Mauduit, 05:10

• Universal Obstacles & Resonances (06:00–09:34)

  • Austen’s themes find echoes worldwide, including modern India (e.g., Bride and Prejudice/Coup de foudre à Bollywood).
  • Universal issues: generational clashes, social mobility, money, forced marriage—adapted to contemporary settings seamlessly.

3. The Regency Era as a Narrative and Fantasy Framework

• Obstacles and Agency (09:34–12:01)

  • Austen's focus on a small circle (“miniaturist’s art”) enables her stories to feel universal and translatable (India, Bollywood, Beverly Hills in Clueless).

  • The intricacies of daily life and personal consciousness replace grand historical events—her characters' emotional journeys are central.

    “Elle a décrit son art comme l’art du miniaturiste qui travaille sur un petit morceau d’ivoire…” —Ariane Hudley, 09:34

• Is Austen’s Writing “Feminine”? (12:01–15:37)

  • Discussion about whether Austen's observational style constitutes a distinctly female mode of writing. Both guests agree her focus on interiority and personal growth is more universal than strictly gendered.

    “Le quotidien, finalement, forme les personnes. …tout le monde peut relate.” —Myriam Boussababravar, 12:01

• The (Non-)Role of Men in Regency Novels (15:37–18:43)

  • Austen’s fathers are often absent or ineffectual, creating space for heroines to act autonomously.

  • The “patriarchy” is reinforced by mothers too; women's complicity is noted as both survival strategy and societal constraint.

    “Mrs Bennet est absolument à fond dans le patriarcat…” —Myriam Boussababravar, 18:55

4. Marriage, Agency, and Historical Constraints

• Marriage as Social Contract (20:23–22:29)

  • The parallels between marriage and dance: the man’s power to choose, the woman’s to refuse (“L’homme a le pouvoir du choix et la femme n’a que la capacité du refus…” —Ariane Hudley, 21:10).

• Modern (Over-)Interpretations (23:55–24:46)

  • The risk of “sur-interpréter” Austen with a modern feminist lens and erasing historical constraints, particularly in adaptations.

5. Adaptations and the “Austenmania” Phenomenon

• History of Adaptations (25:09–27:34)

  • Early stage adaptations; the first major film in 1940; 'Austenmania' in the 1990s with four key adaptations in one year.

• The Regency Romance Genre (25:14–30:45)

  • Georgette Heyer’s invention of the modern ‘romance régence’ genre; accuracy in historical fashion and manners; evolving social issues like disability and veterans post-war.

6. Regency: English vs. French Meaning; Economic Backdrop

• The Regency in England (28:14–30:45)

  • Historical period: 1811–1820 (King George III's incapacity; Prince Regent), broadened in fiction for narrative scope (1790–1837).

• Industrialization and Social Mobility (30:45–32:17)

  • The looming industrial revolution, social classes in flux, fortune, and marriage alliances.

7. The Regency Style: Fashion, Adornment, and Visual Culture

• Iconic Silhouette and Costuming (33:03–33:50)
  • The Regency fashion revival: high-waisted gowns, flattering for youth, less constrictive than later periods.
  • Visual “glamorization” in adaptations.

8. Adaptations & Iconic Scenes

• “Mr Darcy in the Lake” and Creation of Memes (34:29–37:04)
  • The 1995 BBC scene of Darcy (Colin Firth) emerges soaked from a lake—invented for TV but now iconic, repeated and parodied in later pop culture (Bridget Jones, Darcy statues in London).
  • Increasing eroticization and mutual desire in more recent romance novels and adaptations (post-2000), departing from Austen’s sexual restraint.

9. Rigor and Modernization in Adaptation

• Adaptation Choices & Historical Rigor (38:46–40:33)
  • Joe Wright’s 2005 film brings overt sexual chemistry while maintaining historical-mood discipline with costumes, sets, and social rituals.

10. Bridgerton and Modern Diversity

• Bridgerton—Inclusive Casting & New Narratives (40:33–44:39)

  • Bridgerton reinvents the Regency romance with diverse casting ('colorblind'), sexual liberation, and invented characters like Queen Charlotte—providing both continuity and innovation.

    “…ouvrir à des intérêts plus contemporains ou des manières de voir nouvelles…” —Ariane Hudley, 43:23

• Historical Reality of Black Britons and Slavery (44:39–47:01)

  • Inclusion of people of color not just as an “echo” of modernity, but reflecting actual British history; the economic dependence on slavery; complex heritage.

11. Adaptation Choices and the “Spicing Up” of Austen

• Modernizing Heroines (47:37–48:11)

  • When adapting “duller” heroines like Fanny Price (Mansfield Park), filmmakers often make them more assertive—reflecting contemporary tastes.

    “On rajoute un petit peu d’épices…” —Ariane Hudley

• Austen’s Proto-Feminism (48:11–50:19)

  • The balance of partnership and self-determination within couples as a progressive message that appeals across eras.

12. Austen in Popular Culture and TikTok

• Austen on Social Media (BookTok, AustenTok) (50:41–52:27)

  • Austen’s reach on TikTok is substantial—her works become trending topics and entry-points for new generations.

    “Jane Austen a cette grande richesse qui est qu'elle renouvelle son lectorat constamment.” —Ariane Hudley, 51:58

• Anniversary Editions and Collector Culture (52:27–52:48)

  • Exquisite new editions for the 250th anniversary feed this ongoing commercialization and iconization.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the enduring appeal of Austen’s endings:

  “Ça se termine bien, pas forcément pour tout le monde, mais ça se termine bien pour les deux protagonistes. Mais c'est du roman, ça n'est pas de la romance.” —Myriam Boussababravar, 02:04

• On therapeutic reading:

  “On a considéré que la lecture des romans de Jane Austen était thérapeutique pour les soldats qui avaient été traumatisés…” —Ariane Hudley, 02:26

• On universality:

  “On voit à quel point le choix d’un microcosme pour Jane Austen lui permet finalement d’être universelle.” —Ariane Hudley, 09:34

• On patriarchy and women’s complicity:

  “Mrs Bennet est absolument à fond dans le patriarcat… Beaucoup de femmes et… de mères… ont joué le jeu du patriarcat…” —Myriam Boussababravar, 18:55

• On historical adaptation:

  “On rajoute un petit peu d’épices… et on en fait une Elisabeth Bennet bis.” —Ariane Hudley, 47:37

• On Austen’s reach:

  “Jane Austen a cette grande richesse qui est qu’elle renouvelle son lectorat constamment… c’est aussi une écrivaine de best-seller et qui suscite les conversations.” —Ariane Hudley, 51:58

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:09] Introduction — Jane Austen’s omnipresence
• [02:26] Austen’s reception over time; therapeutic reading post WWI
• [03:27] “Feel good” fiction and pop culture phenomenon
• [06:00] Universality and cross-cultural adaptations (e.g., Bollywood)
• [09:34] The “miniaturist’s art” and universal application
• [12:01] Gender, dailiness, and the interior world in Austen’s writing
• [15:37] The (in)effectual presence of fathers and questions of patriarchy
• [18:55] Patriarchal structures maintained by women
• [21:10] Marriage and dance: power and agency
• [23:55] Modern over-interpretation of Austen as feminist
• [25:09] Adaptation history: 1940 film, “Austenmania” of 1995+
• [28:14] Regency period defined and used in fiction
• [30:45] Industrial revolution and changing social realities
• [33:03] Regency fashion and style
• [34:29] The iconography of Mr Darcy in adaptations
• [37:04] Darcy as a universal contemporary archetype
• [40:33] Bridgerton: diversity and narrative adaptation
• [44:39] Historical reality: Black Britons, slavery, and social structures
• [47:37] The “spicing up” of Fanny Price and adaptation choices
• [50:41] Austen’s viral popularity on TikTok (“AustenTok”)
• [52:27] Anniversary editions and commodification

Takeaway

The episode illustrates Jane Austen’s function as both mirror and mold for society: she allows generations to revisit timeless questions—love, agency, class, family—while reflecting whatever new values, anxieties, and aspirations are current. Through endless adaptation, meme-making, and reinterpretation, Austen’s minute observations of Georgian England continue to pulse at the heart of 21st-century culture, dance parties and TikToks included.

(Summary compiled and structured for clarity and reference. All speaker attributions and quotes based on original episode transcript.)