Best Elizabeth Gaskell Podcasts (2024)

1
God's Cop (Part 4) 56:53

4d ago56:53

56:53

James Anderton has declared that AIDS patients are ‘swirling in a cesspool of their own making’. Days later, he makes cryptic remarks that he might be a prophet ‘being used by God’. Margaret Thatcher’s Conservative government scrambles to deal with the fallout. In this episode, we discuss how civil servants and fellow police chiefs were openly ques…

1
God's Cop (Part 3) 42:56

5d ago42:56

42:56

It's Britain in the 1980s. Manchester's police chief is a household name. Satirised on TV comedy shows for his conservative Christian views. Celebrated by government ministers for his robust approach to crime. He is rarely out of the headlines for his clashes with politicians. But the crisis of the Stalker Affair is about to propel both Anderton an…

1
God's Cop (Part 2) 44:14

13d ago44:14

44:14

God's Cop James Anderton has brought his crusade to the streets of Manchester. His officers have launched a crackdown on pornography, gay bars and clubs, and businesses selling ‘immoral’ material. But the new chief constable faces opposition at every turn. Running battles with the city’s politicians, the unruly threat of National Front marches, the…

1
God's Cop (Part 1) 50:04

20d ago50:04

50:04

James Anderton was the most controversial police officer in modern British history. A hero to some. A reactionary menace to others. This is the story of how the chief constable of Greater Manchester Police brought a moral crusade to the streets of 1980s Britain, becoming an electrifying public figure famed for his outspoken views and religious zeal…

1
The Salford Sioux (Part 2) 38:32

27d ago38:32

38:32

Buffalo Bill has packed up his travelling show, taking hundreds of performers back on the road. But what legacy has been left behind in Greater Manchester? Historian Dean delves into the truth of whether Sioux performers from North Dakota slipped into the Salford streets and ended up make their homes in Victorian England. Using archive material and…

1
The Salford Sioux (Part 1) 33:59

1M ago33:59

33:59

American promoter Buffalo Bill Cody brings the greatest show on earth to a racecourse ground in Salford, where an army of performers and crew construct ‘the largest theatre ever seen in the world’. The Wild West show thrills England’s Victorian millworkers and is remembered for decades to come. But did, according to local legend, hundreds of native…

1
Elizabeth Gaskell's Guide to Manc (Part 2) 39:34

1M ago39:34

39:34

Which Manc words have survived over time? We look at the work of journalist and poet Samuel Bamford, who created an ambitious collection of words from the Victorian city and its surrounding towns, and we also make some surprising discoveries about expressions that are still used today. We’ll talk about the poets, actors, comedians and singers - fro…

1
Elizabeth Gaskell's Guide to Manc (Part 1) 29:38

2M ago29:38

29:38

Are you a choughin-yed? Do you feel wambly? Does someone you know talk too much flother? In this episode, we look back at the language used by 19th century Mancunians, whose dialect was championed by novelist Elizabeth Gaskell in her novels Mary Barton and North and South. We’ll discuss how Gaskell challenged lazy stereotypes about women writers, b…

1
Football - how Manchester created the modern game (Part 2) 38:33

2M ago38:33

38:33

Today Manchester City and Manchester United are sporting superpowers with supporters around the globe. But both clubs can trace their origins to the industrial boom of the late 19th Century and workers craving respite from drudgery of mills and factory life. In this episode, we discuss the early stars, sponsors and business interest that propelled …

1
Football - how Manchester created the modern game (Part 1) 38:37

2M ago38:37

38:37

Manchester is home to some of the biggest sports brands on the planet. In this episode, Chris, Dean and Yakub argue the city is also the birthplace of modern football as we understand it. We tell the story of the city's economic boom and the grinding factory conditions which saw the working population turn to sport for recreation and escape. We'll …

1
Scuttlers 56:22

2M ago56:22

56:22

Welcome to Victorian Manchester, where the streets throb with violence and teenage gangs are waging war. The Scuttler gangs pose a menace unlike any England has seen before. Groups calling themselves the Bengal Tigers and Meadow Lads prowl the cobbled streets, marked by their distinctive clothes and vicious weapons, including brutal brass belts. Ba…

1
Hangman - the double life of Albert Pierrepoint 55:05

3M ago55:05

55:05

As Britain’s official executioner, Albert Pierrepoint hanged notorious murders, spies and war criminals. But he also lived a seemingly ordinary life as a grocery man and pub landlord in Greater Manchester, balancing his work behind the bar with grim professional duties as a Home Office hangman. As his fame grew, so too did doubts about the death pe…

1
What does the Ghost of Christmas Past teach Scrooge? A Christmas Carol explained for GCSE English Literature 7:30

6M ago7:30

7:30

Looking at what Scrooge learns through seeing scenes of his lonely childhood, his generous boss Fezziwig and the heartbreaking time when Belle broke off their engagement.By Sophie Toovey

1
What does Marley teach Scrooge? A Christmas Carol explained for GCSE English Literature 5:54

6M ago5:54

5:54

What does Marley teach Scrooge? How Dickens shows the ghost of his old partner to be judged in the afterlife for what he failed to do in his lifetime.By Sophie Toovey

1
What's wrong with Scrooge? Explaining A Christmas Carol for GCSE English Literature 14:00

6M ago14:00

14:00

What's wrong with the way Ebenezer Scrooge chooses to live his life anyway? Surely it's his business if he wants to keep his money to himself? This podcast gives an overview of why Dickens suggests that Scrooge's attitude is problematic.By Sophie Toovey

1
01 – Our Society 21:52

7M ago21:52

21:52

More great books at LoyalBooks.comBy Elizabeth Gaskell

1
01 – Portion 1 37:44

7M ago37:44

37:44

More great books at LoyalBooks.comBy Elizabeth Gaskell

1
02 – The Captain 29:29

7M ago29:29

29:29

More great books at LoyalBooks.comBy Elizabeth Gaskell

1
02 – Portion 2 47:46

7M ago47:46

47:46

More great books at LoyalBooks.comBy Elizabeth Gaskell

1
03 – A Love Affair of Long Ago 17:47

7M ago17:47

17:47

More great books at LoyalBooks.comBy Elizabeth Gaskell

1
03 – Portion 3 46:46

7M ago46:46

46:46

More great books at LoyalBooks.comBy Elizabeth Gaskell

1
04 – A Visit to an Old Bachelor 21:34

7M ago21:34

21:34

More great books at LoyalBooks.comBy Elizabeth Gaskell

1
05 – Old Letters 22:11

7M ago22:11

22:11

More great books at LoyalBooks.comBy Elizabeth Gaskell

1
06 – Poor Peter 23:42

7M ago23:42

23:42

More great books at LoyalBooks.comBy Elizabeth Gaskell

1
07 – Visiting 20:44

7M ago20:44

20:44

More great books at LoyalBooks.comBy Elizabeth Gaskell

1
08 – “Your Ladyship” 25:34

7M ago25:34

25:34

More great books at LoyalBooks.comBy Elizabeth Gaskell

1
09 – Signor Brunoni 19:30

7M ago19:30

19:30

More great books at LoyalBooks.comBy Elizabeth Gaskell

1
10 – The Panic 27:36

7M ago27:36

27:36

More great books at LoyalBooks.comBy Elizabeth Gaskell

1
11 – Samuel Brown 22:32

7M ago22:32

22:32

More great books at LoyalBooks.comBy Elizabeth Gaskell

1
12 – Engaged to be Married 16:22

7M ago16:22

16:22

More great books at LoyalBooks.comBy Elizabeth Gaskell

1
13 – Stopped Payment 22:02

7M ago22:02

22:02

More great books at LoyalBooks.comBy Elizabeth Gaskell

1
14 – Friends in Need 35:05

7M ago35:05

35:05

More great books at LoyalBooks.comBy Elizabeth Gaskell

1
15 – A Happy Return 25:04

7M ago25:04

25:04

More great books at LoyalBooks.comBy Elizabeth Gaskell

1
16 – Peace to Cranford 15:36

7M ago15:36

15:36

More great books at LoyalBooks.comBy Elizabeth Gaskell

1
My Mother’s Perfume by Pascale Petit - GCSE Poetry explored 14:00

1y ago14:00

14:00

Discussing the themes and images in 'My Mother's Perfume', particularly the sinister tone and atmosphere as the persona has a toxic relationship with the mother.By Sophie Toovey

1
Who is trapped and powerless in Of Mice and Men? 9:31

1+ y ago9:31

9:31

GCSE English Literature podcast exploring who is trapped and powerless in Of Mice and Men, looking at George's predicament in having to shoot Lennie to save him from Curley.By Sophie Toovey

1
Justice in To Kill a Mockingbird 19:16

1+ y ago19:16

19:16

A GCSE English Literature revision podcast exploring how imperialism and the legacy of slavery affect justice in the novel and how this theme connects the threads of Boo Radley and Tom Robinson's stories.By Sophie Toovey

1
Analysing Romeo: impulsive and fighting for masculinity 12:57

2y ago12:57

12:57

How impulsive is Romeo in Shakespeare's tragedy? In this podcast I explore some different critical viewpoints, such as Romeo as a character fighting for masculine identity, and Romeo as 'tamed' by Juliet. GCSE English Literature, Romeo and Juliet by William ShakespeareBy Sophie Toovey

1
”Change is at the heart of North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell” 14:09

2y ago14:09

14:09

Unpacking how Elizabeth Gaskell's novel is structured as a Bildungsroman around the change of Margaret Hale, and also how Thornton changes too from a Malthusian autocrat to someone prepared to make a difference in the lives of his workers. A Level English Literature, North and SouthBy Sophie Toovey

1
What is the role of Lady Catherine in Pride and Prejudice? 16:16

2y ago16:16

16:16

Looking at how Austen satirises her society's obsession with social rank, and shows how Darcy changes and develops through comparing him with his aunt and her traditional views on marriage.By Sophie Toovey

1
Which writers influenced Jane Austen and is there a moral to her stories? 18:15

2+ y ago18:15

18:15

This podcast explores the way that Austen differs from other female novelists of her time, who often wrote melodramatic stories of virtuous heroines, kidnapped, and forced to suffer, before being rewarded with happy marriages. Austen's realism means that she avoids some of the black-and-white simplicity of Miss Prism's pronouncement: "The good ende…

1
For whom do you feel the most sympathy in Pride and Prejudice? 20:13

2+ y ago20:13

20:13

I explore how to approach this essay question when the marking is weighted towards context. Looking at Charlotte Lucas and lack of female empowerment and choices, Elizabeth Bennet and Darcy as a misunderstood hero. Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice for GCSE English Literature.By Sophie Toovey

1
What’s wrong with Lydia and Wickham in Pride and Prejudice? 21:16

2+ y ago21:16

21:16

In this episode I explain the flaws in Lydia and Wickham's characters, and how Lydia's decision to run away with Wickham nearly ruins the lives of the whole family. Thankfully, Darcy comes to the rescue as the true hero of the story, not even seeking credit for his actions. Austen uses Lydia and Wickham to show the severe consequences of impropriet…

1
Is North and South more centred around romance than industry? 17:15

2+ y ago17:15

17:15

Exploring the viewpoint that North and South is more centred around romance than industry. The reality is that Gaskell intertwines the romance plot with her industrial focus throughout the novel. I look at Chapter 10, where John and Margaret first clash in their ideologies about the ethics of industry, and where Gaskell lays the ground for their fu…

1
How is Catherine important to A View From the Bridge by Arthur Miller? 9:22

2+ y ago9:22

9:22

This podcast looks at the character of Catherine and how she represents youth and vitality in Arthur Miller's play. She catalyses Eddie Carbone's tragic fall and also provides a foil to his wife, Beatrice. Arguably she replaces one patriarchal authority for another when she marries Rodolpho, but there are signs Catherine has learned to assert her o…

1
The working class in Elizabeth Gaskell’s North and South 21:20

2+ y ago21:20

21:20

Is it true that Gaskell's sympathies lie chiefly with the working class? In this episode, I look at the different divisions in the Victorian social structure, and how the characters of Bessy Higgins and the Boucher family create pathos in the novel. A Level English Literature, Elizabeth Gaskell's North and South…

1
Why is marriage so important in ’Pride and Prejudice’? 17:45

2+ y ago17:45

17:45

Why does everyone want or need to get married in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice? In this episode I unpack more about the situation of Mrs Bennet, young unmarried girls like Jane, Elizabeth and Charlotte Lucas, and then why men like Mr Collins would also be under pressure to find a wife. I explore why Bingley's sisters want him to marry Georgiana…

1
Is pleasing their families more important to the characters of Pride and Prejudice than pleasing themselves? 16:04

2+ y ago16:04

16:04

Looking at the ideas Austen presents through the actions of Jane, Elizabeth and Charlotte Lucas, and how she suggests that young women should not be pressured into a loveless marriage merely for economic security. Through the actions of Bingley and Darcy, she also suggests that love justifies going against the judgement of your family, especially w…

1
What is the importance of Mr Darcy in Pride and Prejudice? 12:46

2+ y ago12:46

12:46

Looking at how Darcy initially seems to be the antagonist of the novel, exhibiting pride and prejudice, but how Austen uses the characters of Collins and Wickham to then contrast to his heroic nature. Darcy learns from his mistakes, and ultimately rescues Lydia in a selfless and generous act of heroism. This moral character is what Austen values, a…

1
What is the importance of Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice? 10:12

2+ y ago10:12

10:12

Looking at how Austen uses Elizabeth Bennet to question society's definitions of propriety, female accomplishment, social values on marriage, and suggest a vision for mutual companionship and compatability. Also looking at the Bildungsroman structure and how Elizabeth's realisation of her own pride and prejudice lead to her development and maturati…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Elizabeth Gaskell Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

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