Ian Rankin Investigates: Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
Writer Ian Rankin investigates The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, tracing Robert Louis Stevenson's story back to event...
Deacon William Brodie | Ian Rankin Investigates: Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
Robert Louis Stevenson grew up hearing stories about Deacon William Brodie, a notorious Edinburgh figu...
Introduction to Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde | Ian Rankin Investigates: Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
Ian Rankin introduces Robert Louis Stevenson's novel 'The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll an...
Stevenson's writing process | Ian Rankin Investigates: Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
Ian Rankin investigates Robert Louis Stevenson's dramatic writing process for 'The Strange Case...
John Hunter | Ian Rankin Investigates: Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
Ian Rankin investigates the life and work of John Hunter.
Medical science | Ian Rankin Investigates: Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
Ian Rankin investigates Victorian medical science in Edinburgh, which relied on dead bodies that had been du...
Repression | Ian Rankin Investigates: Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
An exploration of the theme of repression, which is at the heart of 'The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde'.
The unconscious | Ian Rankin Investigates: Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
An exploration of the unconscious in 'The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde'.
What was the inspiration for Jekyll's double life? | Ian Rankin Investigates: Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
Ian Rankin investigates what inspired Robert Louis Stevenson to construct...
The Secret Life of Books | Jane Eyre
Journalist Bidisha revisits Charlotte Bronte's classic novel after first reading it as a teenager.
Bertha | The Secret Life of Books
Bidisha investigates the character of Bertha through theories of race and colonialism.
Charlotte Bronte and colonialism | The Secret Life of Books
Bidisha explores Charlotte Bronte's writing in relation to colonisation and race.
Charlotte Bronte's letters | The Secret Life of Books
Bidisha views some of Charlotte Bronte's intimate letters, that reveal an emotionally unrestrained side to the author.
Jane Eyre manuscript | The Secret Life of Books
Bidisha views an original manuscript of 'Jane Eyre'.
Jane's relationship with Rochester | The Secret Life of Books
A discussion of the complications and inequalities of Jane Eyre's relationship with Mr Rochester.
The plot of Jane Eyre | The Secret Life of Books
Bidisha explores the power dynamic between Jane Eyre and Rochester.
Bertha | Jane Eyre
From Susanna White’s four-part BBC serial adaptation, Rochester introduces Jane to his wife Bertha, the 'mad woman in the attic'.
Jane and Rochester are reunited | Jane Eyre
From Susanna White’s four-part BBC serial adaptation, Jane returns to Rochester.
Jane meets Rochester for the first time | Jane Eyre
From Susanna White’s four-part BBC serial adaptation, Jane Eyre and Rochester's dramatic first meeting.
Jane visits Aunt Reed | Jane Eyre
From Susanna White’s four-part BBC serial adaptation, Jane goes back to visit her Aunt Reed, who is dying.
John Rivers asks Jane to marry him | Jane Eyre
From Susanna White’s four-part BBC serial adaptation, John Rivers asks Jane to marry him and accompany him on his mission.
Lowood School | Jane Eyre
From Susanna White’s four-part BBC serial adaptation, Jane Eyre's time at Lowood School.
Mr Mason visits | Jane Eyre
From Susanna White’s four-part BBC serial adaptation, the mysterious Mr Mason visits and there are strange sounds in the night.
Rochester proposes to Jane | Jane Eyre
From Susanna White’s four-part BBC serial adaptation, Rochester proposes to Jane.
The red room | Jane Eyre
From Susanna White’s four-part BBC serial adaptation, young Jane Eyre is trapped in the red room by her cruel Aunt Reed.
The wedding | Jane Eyre
From Susanna White’s four-part BBC serial adaptation, Jane and Rochester's wedding is disrupted by unwanted visitors.
Jane Eyre and Slavery | Novels That Shaped Our World
An analysis of where the historical context of the slave trade appears in Charlotte Bronte's 'Jane Eyre'.
Pride and Prejudice Revisited
Documentary exploring the enduring appeal of Jane Austen's classic mixture of romance, wit and scathing social satire.
Georgian Assembly Rooms | A Very British Romance with Lucy Worsley
Lucy Worsley investigates Georgian Assembly Rooms, which played an important role in Jane Austen's novels.
Marriage in Georgian Britain | A Very British Romance with Lucy Worsley
Lucy Worsley discusses the historical context of strategic marriage in Georgian Britain.
Elizabeth rejects Mr Darcy | Pride and Prejudice
Mr Darcy reveals his true feelings for Elizabeth.
Characterisation in 'Pride and Prejudice' | Pride and Prejudice Revisited
A discussion of the various character archetypes Jane Austen has employed in 'Pride and Prejudice'.
Elizabeth Bennet | Pride and Prejudice Revisited
An introduction to the character of Elizabeth Bennet.
Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy's relationship | Pride and Prejudice Revisited
Critics discuss the relationship between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy in 'Pride and Prejudice'.
Introduction to Pride and Prejudice | Pride and Prejudice Revisited
An introduction to the context and reception of Jane Austen's 'Pride and Prejudice'.
Mr Darcy | Pride and Prejudice Revisited
An introduction to the character of Mr Darcy.
Plot devices in 'Pride and Prejudice' | Pride and Prejudice Revisited
A discussion of how Jane Austen structured the plot of 'Pride and Prejudice'.
Marriage and social standing | Pride and Prejudice: Having a Ball
An introduction to the historical background and setting of Jane Austen's 'Pride and Prejudice'
The balls in Pride and Prejudice | Pride and Prejudice: Having a Ball
The importance of the balls in 'Pride and Prejudice'.
Dancing with Mr Darcy | That Mitchell and Webb Look
A parody of Regency era ball etiquette in Jane Austen's 'Pride and Prejudice'.
The Secret Life of Books | Frankenstein
In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein manuscripts, Alice Roberts finds someone concerned with the act of creation itself and evidence of hus...
Mary's dream | Frankenstein and the Vampyre: A Dark and Stormy Night
A dramatised exploration of the dream that caused Mary Shelley to imagine the story for 'Frankenstein'.
The legacy of 'Frankenstein' | Frankenstein and the Vampyre: A Dark and Stormy Night
A discussion of the legacy of Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein'.
The storm | Frankenstein and the Vampyre: A Dark and Stormy Night
An exploration of the extreme weather that was the backdrop to the creation of Frankenstein and the modern ...
Themes of Frankenstein | Frankenstein and the Vampyre: A Dark and Stormy Night
A discussion of the plot and themes of Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein'.
Background to the story of Frankenstein | Frankenstein: Birth of a Monster
The setting in which Mary Shelley first told the story of 'Frankenstein'.
Percy Bysshe Shelley | Frankenstein: Birth of a Monster
The early relationship of Mary and Percy Bysshe Shelley.
The creation of the monster | Frankenstein: Birth of a Monster
A re-enactment of the moment that Frankenstein's monster is born.
Victorian Science | Frankenstein: Birth of a Monster
The influence of Victorian science on Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein'.
Wollstonecraft and Godwin | Frankenstein: Birth of a Monster
Mary Shelley's upbringing and the radical politics of her parents.
The inspiration for Frankenstein | In Search of Science
Brain Cox looks into the story and scientist that is thought to have influenced Frankenstein.
Frankenstein | Novels That Shaped Our World
An introduction to the life of Mary Shelley and the themes of 'Frankenstein'.
The science behind Frankenstein | Shock and Awe: The Story of Electricity
The Victorian science that became an influence for Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein'.
Frankenstein' - Plot | The Art of Gothic: Britain's Midnight Hour
Andrew Graham-Dixon discusses the plot of Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein' and explains the scientific anxieti...
Geneva | The Secret Life of Books
Alice Roberts discusses the setting in Geneva in which Mary Shelley first told the story of 'Frankenstein'.
Percy Shelleys corrections | The Secret Life of Books
Alice Roberts looks at an original manuscript of Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein' which exhibits Percy Shelley's edits.
The novels intellectual background | The Secret Life of Books
Alice Roberts discusses the intellectual backdrop to Mary Shelley writing 'Frankenstein'.
Waltons letters | The Secret Life of Books
Alice Roberts investigates Robert Walton's letters to his sister, which frame Mary Shelley's text.
The Secret Life of Books | Great Expectations
Tony Jordan brings his writer's insight to Charles Dickens's Great Expectations.
Estella marries Drummle | Great Expectations
Pip returns to Satis House to find out that Estella has agreed to marry Bentley Drummle.
Magwitch fails to escape | Great Expectations
Pip attempts to help Magwitch escape but they get caught, Magwitch then dies in prison.
Magwitch returns | Great Expectations
Magwitch returns to London and reveals himself as Pip's benefactor.
Magwitch tells his story | Great Expectations
Magwitch tells Pip the story of his family.
Mr Jaggers | Great Expectations
Pip meets Mr Jaggers at his office in London.
Pip learns to be a gentleman in London | Great Expectations
Pip arrives in London where he meets Herbert Pocket and learns to be a gentleman.
Pip meets Magwitch | Great Expectations
Pip helps the escaped convict Magwitch on the marshes near his home.
Pip visits Miss Havisham for the first time | Great Expectations
Pip visits Satis House for the first time and meets Miss Havisham and her adopted daughter Estella.
Pip's fortune | Great Expectations
Pip is given a large fortune by an unknown benefactor.
The ending | Great Expectations
Pip and Estella are reunited in the end of 'Great Expectations'.
The fire at Satis House | Great Expectations
Miss Havisham sets fire to Satis House.
An introduction to Charles Dickens and Great Expectations | The Secret Life of Books
Tony Jordan introduces Charles Dickens and 'Great Expectations'.
Childhood | The Secret Life of Books
Tony Jordan investigates the theme of childhood in 'Great Expectations'.
Dickens audience | The Secret Life of Books
Tony Jordan discusses why Dickens wrote 'Great Expectations' in instalments and explains the importance of the audience.
The alternative ending to Great Expectations | The Secret Life of Books
Tony Jordan views an original manuscript of 'Great Expectations' and discusses Dickens' struggles wit...
The plot of Great Expectations | The Secret Life of Books
A plot summary of Charles Dickens' 'Great Expectations'.
'You're late'' | Dickensian
Bob Cratchit is late to work, much to Scrooge's disapproval. Bob tries to explain that he was looking after Tiny Tim, but to Scrooge this is no e...
Christmas Past | The Catherine Tate Show
In the Catherine Tate Show, Nan gets a visit from the ghost of Christmas past and questions his credentials.
Marlowe was dead, to begin with… | Upstart Crow
Robert Greene gets the Dickens of a fright from Marlowe's ghost…
Charles Dickens and the Invention of Christmas
Griff Rhys Jones reveals how Dickens created the idea of a traditional family Christmas through one of his best-known books, A...
Archive on 4 | The Many Faces of Ebenezer Scrooge
Christopher Frayling explores how Charles Dickens's classic A Christmas Carol has endured in popular culture for over 170 y...
Beyond Belief | A Christmas Carol
Tiny Tim's 'God bless us, every one!' is the rousing conclusion to Charles Dickens' festive fable A Christmas Carol. But what is the Christ...
In Our Time | A Christmas Carol
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss Charles Dickens' celebrated story of Scrooge's redemption.
Beardsley and Oscar Wilde | Scandal & Beauty: Mark Gatiss on Aubrey Beardsley
An exploration of Aubrey Beardsley's drawings of Oscar Wilde and the impact he had on Wilde's l...
Satirising Oscar Wilde | The Importance of Being Oscar
An exploration of how Oscar Wilde was satirised for his dedication to aestheticism.
The Importance of Being Earnest - Lady Bracknell intrudes on Jack's proposal | The Importance of Being Oscar
An extract from 'The Importance of Being Earnest', in which Lady...
The Importance of Being Earnest - The Handbag | The Importance of Being Oscar
An extract from 'The Importance of Being Earnest', in which Jack reveals that he was found as a...
Wilde's position in society | The Importance of Being Oscar
A discussion of Oscar Wilde's social standing at the time of writing 'The Importance of Being Earnest'.
Oscar Wilde letter extract about Dorian Gray | The Importance of Being Oscar
An extract from a letter Oscar Wilde wrote about 'The Picture of Dorian Gray'.
The Decay of Lying | The Importance of Being Oscar
A discussion of Oscar Wilde's essay 'The Decay of Lying'.
The Picture of Dorian Gray | The Importance of Being Oscar
An introduction to Oscar Wilde's 'The Picture of Dorian Gray'.
The Picture of Dorian Gray - Dorian reveals the portrait to Basil | The Importance of Being Oscar
An extract from 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' in which Dorian reveals his po...
Plot and context of A Picture of Dorian Gray | Victorian Sensations
An introduction to the plot and Victorian context of Oscar Wilde's 'The Picture of Dorian Gray'.
Lady Windermeres Fan Lady Erlynne arrives at the ball | The Importance of Being Oscar
An extract from 'Lady Windermere's Fan' in which Lady Erlynne arrives at the ball.
Lady Windermeres Fan Lady Erlynne returns the fan | The Importance of Being Oscar
An extract from 'Lady Windermere's Fan' in which Lady Erlynne returns the fan.
Lady Windermere's Fan - Lady Windermere writes a letter | The Importance of Being Oscar
An extract from 'Lady Windermere's Fan' in which Lady Windermere writes a letter.
The first performance of 'Lady Windermere's Fan' | Victorian Sensations
Paul McGann discusses Oscar Wilde's play 'Lady Windermere's Fan' and the scandal of the opening night.
The Ideal Husband The buttonhole | The Importance of Being Oscar
An extract from 'The Ideal Husband', in which Lord Goring discusses his buttonhole.
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