Jane Austen is a familiar name, an author of the Regency Era realistic fiction whose stories still captivate people today. One of Austen’s most famous novels, according to a simple google search, is Pride and Prejudice.
Written in 1813, “Pride and Prejudice” is the story of the Bennet family and the drama that ensues as a particularly wealthy young man purchases a neighboring property and the relations he brings with him.
Its dramatic encounters and lively descriptions generally encourage the reader along, but it all doesn’t end at the last page of the novel. There have been at least 17 adaptations since 1940, including a 2005 film, and a web series created by Hank Green and Bernie Sue with a modern take, called, the Lizzie Bennet Diaries.
In consuming these, I have gathered a few important conclusions for potential viewers to consider when deciding whether to watch or read any of these.
First: the novel itself. It is a cute story that takes you to a completely frivolous world with romance and so much drama. Pride and Prejudice is just one of those books some people will like and others won’t.
The saturation of Social Darwinist thoughts in the beginning chapters can be a little depressing, but it isn’t all bad and if you can get through that, there is a lot about breaking societal norms and some encouraging the line of thought that intelligence is not based on inheritance. You should also be warned if you are one to consider wastefulness in class divides perpetually, because this view also taints the pages.
For those seeking a wholesome romance, besides some old fashioned views, this novel is definitely for you. I enjoyed it quite a bit, especially as the story progressed. It also gives you a new perspective on the adaptations you may already hold dear.
Second: the 2005 Pride and Prejudice, directed by Joe Wright just might steal your heart. If you are one for romance and looking for a sweet story for a weekend evening, this is the perfect movie for you.
Just over two hours, you can enjoy it in only one evening unlike many of the adaptations to the book, and its charming cinematography will touch the sappy heart in each of you romance lovers.
It cuts a lot out of the story, but some of it needed to be cut out, and as long as an overbite in the lead actress doesn’t bother you, it is a great fluffy watch to spend a weekend evening on.
(Side note; if you want a film detailing the story and saturated with accuracy, check out the BBC 1995 Pride and Prejudice.)
Third: The Lizzie Bennet Diaries- this web series is entertaining binge watching and will get you pretty familiar with the nuances of the plot if you don’t enjoy regency era decorations.
Importantly though, it is long, this is a show to watch if you like wasting time, like drama, and like rambling young women. If you are a Pride and Prejudice buff, this could go two ways, you either already can see through the whole plot and this makes it less entertaining, or you completely enjoy all the tiny implications and hints reminding you obscure scenes from the novel, which are plentiful.
If you are seeking for more Pride and Prejudice in your life, check out the local performance at Enoch City Arts in Bremerton, May 12 – June 4.
