Durga and Mark introduce and comment on: The central figure of the enigmatic Heathcliff; The 'threshold' sense of the gothic and the psychological; The dual narratives and a shifting sense of the two Catherines. This session discusses some dramatic and haunting moments which highlight a 'dark'pursuit of love and how this might appeal to readers of varying ages.

Listen Now:

Durga and Mark introduce and comment on: Biographical facts and influences in the narrative; The locale and cultural setting of the narrative; Dramatic and poetic qualities of the language. This session discusses the biographical and historical influences on the highly dramatic, ambivalent language of this seminal 'romance' novel.

Listen Now:

Durga and Mark introduce and comment on: The central figure of Tess and her struggle with two men; The psychological and economic influences in male and female characters; The dramatic conflict between determinism and chance. This session discusses the centrality of the female character in her struggle with class and family influences as well as the tragic denouement.

Listen Now:

Durga and Mark introduce and comment on: Biographical facts and influences in the narrative; The locale and cultural setting of the narrative; Dramatic and metaphorical qualities of the language. This session discusses the biographical and historical influences on this tragic tale about a 'pure woman'.

Listen Now:

Durga and Mark introduce and comment on: The central figure of Nora and her struggle with a changing consciousness of her role and self; The psychological and economic motives of male and female characters; The influence of the past as a disruptive force in the present; This session discusses the stifling and hypocritical aspects of middle class marriage which impel the female character to reject her "doll's house".

Listen Now:

Durga and Mark introduce and comment on: biographical facts and influences in the narrative; the locale and cultural setting of the narrative; dramatic and metaphorical qualities of the language. This session discusses the biographical and historical influences on this revolutionary play about middle class marriage.

Listen Now:

Mark and Durga introduce and comment on: the dual focus on Levin and Anna; Anna's devotion to others and the 'trap' that leads to her tragic downfall; Tolstoy's optimistic ending. This session discusses the search for happiness by two focal characters who illustrate a social and metaphysical critique of 'meaning' and 'good'.

Listen Now:

Mark and Durga introduce and comment on: a retrospective comparison of major female characters in the podcasts to date; biographical facts and influences on the narrative; the locale and cultural setting of the narrative. This session discusses the biographical and historical influences on this great novel about 'unhappy families' and 'adultery'.

Listen Now:

Mark and Durga introduce and comment on: the husband of Madame Bovary; the status and outlook of Madame Bovary; the woman's struggle for sexual expression and 'happiness' in provincial middle class society. This session discusses the stifling and fantasizing world of the central character with significant lines which reveal a provocative critique of marriage and sexual desire.

Listen Now:

Durga and Mark introduce and comment on: biographical facts and influences in the narrative; the locale and cultural setting of the narrative; aspects of the modern novel identified in the narrative. This session discusses the biographical and historical influences on this controversial novel about 'adultery'.

Listen Now:

Mark and Durga continue their conversation about the two main female influences on Hamlet, this time focusing on the character of Ophelia. This session discusses the 'passivity' of Ophelia; Hamlet's treatment of Ophelia; the role of Ophelia's brother and father in controlling her behaviour; and a comparison of Ophelia with other Shakespearean heroines.

Listen Now:

Mark and Durga introduce and comment on Hamlet's place in world literature as one of the most complex plays ever written; the role of the ghost and the theme of revenge; Gertrude's character: 'seeming virtuous' Queen, or pragmatic woman of the world?

Listen Now:

Geoffrey Chaucer's depiction of female characters: their view on their role in life, and their view of love.

Listen Now:

Mark and Durga introduce and comment on the Wife of Bath's Tale; the tale as a comedy of manners and the woman's struggle for power in the battle of the sexes.

Listen Now: