Special Sub-Topic: Austen Takes a Lit Class Click Here To Play: Austen Takes a Lit Class

'Mansfield Park': What work does Maria Bertram refer to when she says to Henry Crawford 'as the starling said, I cannot get out?'

A Sentimental Journey. okay, it may be a little unfair, especially if you don't read footnotes

'Northanger Abbey': What is Catherine Morland's favorite book?

The Mysteries of Udolpho.

'Mansfield Park': What play do the young people prepare to put on at Mansfield?

Lover's Vows.

'Pride and Prejudice': What volume does Mr. Collins wish to read aloud to the Bennet girls for their 'instruction?'

Fordyce's Sermons. While he might have enjoyed the rest, they were never mentioned

'Persuasion': What two poems by Sir Walter Scott does Captain Benwick wish to know Anne Eliot's preference between?

Marmion and Lady of the Lake. While 'Last Minstrel' and 'Rokeby' were written by Scott, 'Rime of the Ancient Mariner' and 'Biographia' were written by Samuel Coleridge, and 'Songs of Innocence and Experience' were written by William Blake. None were mentioned in 'Persuasion'

One poet in particular is mentioned and admired in several of Jane Austen's works, including 'Sense and Sensibility', 'Mansfield Park', and 'Sandition'. Who is it?

Cowper. Jane Austen was apparently a big Cowper fan, and mentioned him many times in her writing. Others, like Shakespeare and Milton, were also alluded to frequently .

'Emma': What does Harriet Smith suggest Robert Martin read?

The Romance of the Forest.

'Pride and Prejudice': What activity does Mr. Gardiner undertake at Pemberly, on the invitation of Mr Darcy?

fishing.

The book 'Bridget Jones' Diary' by Helen Fielding bears comparison to, and is loosely based on, which Jane Austen novel?

Pride and Prejudice. Fielding is an unabashed Darcy fan, and includes many references to P and P in her novel. She even based her character of Mark Darcy on the character of Mr. Darcy portrayed by Colin Firth in the recent BBC production. (interesting side note: to draw even more comparisons, Andrew Davies wrote the screenplays for both the BBC production of P and P and the film adaptation of Bridget Jones. Firth was in both.)

Similarly, what Jane Austen novel bears comparison to the sequel, 'Bridget Jones: the Edge of Reason?'

Persuasion. no movie comparisons yet, but the similarities are obvious. At first I thought it was just a coincidence, until Fielding introduced a forelorn man named Benwick, who seemed quite familiar.