Critical Analysis of Pride and Prejudice

Pride and Prejudice- a 19th-century novel

Pride and Prejudice (1813) by Jane Austen is set in 19th-century England which was a period of transition in Western Europe. Austen's novels are domestic fiction as they largely show the daily life of her characters during the Regency period. The Bennets, around whom the novel revolves, belong to an educated upper-middle-class family, much like the author’s own background.

The opening line of the novel introduces the theme as marriage

The opening line of the novel, “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.” introduces marriage as the theme of the novel. While Mr. Bennet has an income from landed aristocracy sufficient for a comfortable living, he still has five daughters who would need dowry for their marriage - money that he does not have. Herein too lies the crux of Mrs. Bennet's desire to marry off her daughters to wealthy suitors.

Jane Austen’s background and Marriage in Austen’s world

Marriage, in Austen’s world, is considered to be the only future for young women. They are prepared for it from a young age, and are encouraged to be 'accomplished' - learning to draw, play the piano, gain fluency in many languages, etc - to make them a more attractive catch for marriage. If a woman passed her youth without marrying, much like Austen herself who never got married, she was considered a spinster by society and a burden on her family. This is worse if the woman does not inherit any wealth to sustain herself, Charlotte Lucas's acceptance of Mr. Collins's hand being a perfect example of this.

Pride and Prejudice remains a widely-read novel even though it has been hundreds of years since its publication. Many directors have adapted the novel on screen to showcase this story of love, marriage, family, and the society that people resonate with even today. (A quote here will substantiate the point about other directors’ being interested in this novel.)

Section 1

Point 1.1- Introduction of both adaptations- Pride and Prejudice (2005) and The Lizzie Bennet Diaries (2013-14) in the nature of “realism”

Before Pride and Prejudice (2005), directed by Joe Wright was released, the novel had not been adapted into a film for nearly 65 years. The director himself confessed in an interview with Eric Abeel that he had never read Austen before: 'I’d never read any Austen and then I went and read the book. And I was stunned by it really — it seemed to me the first piece of British realism. It felt so accurately observed, so carefully drawn. And very, very true as well. And actually to discover this thing that spoke so directly to human experience.'

Realism is an aesthetic mode which broke with the classical demands of art to show life as it should be in order to show life 'as it is.' The work of realist art tends to eschew the elevated subject matter of tragedy in favour of the quotidian; the average, the commonplace, the middle classes and their daily struggles with the mean verities of everyday existence--these are the typical subject matters of realism. (Realism and the Realist Novel, http://www2.iath.virginia.edu/elab/hfl0254.html.)

Wright shows this realism in his movie by painting an authentic picture of Loungborn. The town is shown as a working farm with chickens and cattle and the Bennets live in a messy upper middle-class home with pigs running in and out. Ursinus College film studies professor Carole Dole explained that, 'The agricultural realities of 1790s England are equally evident in the enclosed yard with barn and hay where Lizzie twirls barefoot over the mud on a rope swing'. Besides the scenery, As for the cinematography, he said, 'We tried to stay faithful to the narrative beats of the story, but also the atmosphere and tone of the book. That’s why there are so many closeups. Jane Austen observes people very carefully and closely: so that was the cinematic equivalent of her prose. I like closeups very much indeed. I think studying the human face on that kind of scale is one of the enduring pleasures of film. Also the constant movement of the camera felt like an equivalent to the sense of energy and excitement about her talent that comes across to me when reading the book.' Wright also embedded realism by casting actors that were close to the age of Austen's characters.

Joe Wright’s adaptation takes us back to the 19th century and portrays the society as it was back then. It is a realistic portrayal in terms of historical and social depiction. However, there is another adaptation of the novel that is realistic in terms of portraying society in current times. The Lizzie Bennet Diaries (2012-2013), created by Hank Green and Bernie Su, is a web series adaptation of Pride and Prejudice that brings the novel to the 21st century. The story is told through video blogs, popularly known as vlogs. The series starts with Lizzie Bennet, a 24 year old grad student, sitting in her room in front of a camera and recording a video blog. The majority of the series consists of her narrating the events in her life as well as her family’s, starting from when a medical student Bing Lee, equivalent to the novel’s rich bachelor Bingley, moves into the neighbourhood. While Lizzie is the narrator of the series, other characters in the series pop in and out of frame and at times, two characters act out certain events that previously happened. The vlog-style series clearly shows that most of it is Lizzie’s perspective, a contrast to the novel that is in third-person and includes a narration that is not biased to just one character. The show depicts virtual realism. The reality has changed to that of a digital era.

The series shows how the pressure of society on young people to get married is still prevalent but not as much, and there is an equal focus on career. However, staying single in their youth and ending up alone is still not acceptable by society. The essence of the novel’s story has been kept in the series, while changes have been made to make them relevant to current times. Bing Lee is a medical student, which makes him a valuable prospect for Bennet sisters. Here, intellectual property is valued instead of ownership of land that is present in the novel. Darcy, in the series is the CEO of his own company, Pemberley Digital. Being a businessman makes him an eligible bachelor in the society as well. Having a skill that is marketable in the series is the equivalent of inheriting a large sum of money in the novel.

Point 1.2- The institution of marriage still remains central to the story. All marriages remain central and realistic.

Austen’s Pride and Prejudice shows different forms and reasons for marriage in the 19th century. Lydia Bennet marries Wickham out of her infatuation with him and he marries her for money, as he only agrees to marry her even after eloping if he gets a sum of money. Charlotte Lucas' marriage to Mr. Collins is one of convenience. He needs a mistress for his home and she needs stability and financial security. Jane Bennet and Charles Bingley have a budding love and romance that leads to marriage. Lizzie and Darcy starts differently but becomes a conventional marriage by the end. Though for different reasons, all the marriages are realistic. While both the adaptations discussed here are set in different eras from each other, the institution of marriage still remains central to the society depicted in them.

Point 1.3- Economic aspect

“The opening line of the novel sets the marriage motif of the novel. Pride and Prejudice satirises marriage that has become rather an economic than social activity. Though criticising inequality of women and their ‚duty‘ to marry unwanted men to be financially secured, Austen understood the disadvantages of staying single very well.”

The Bennets live off landed aristocracy. They have no money for dowry, which is why Mrs. Bennet is eager for her daughters to be married to rich suitors. The Bennets are the poorest of the high class. This is shown in the movie by the servants in their household. All the sisters dance voraciously at the Netherfield Ball, signifying that they it was taught to them. They did have a comfortable life, the lack laid in their future. The class difference in Loungborn is shown with the comparison of the Bennet sisters to Charlotte Lucas whose family is not as well-off. People other than the Bennets working for a living isn't discussed by Austen. It is not a shock to the viewers of the movie when Elizabeth rejects Mr. Collins in movie. This is because he is shown as a rude, foolish character, in the movie without a mind of his own, trying to find a wife for himself at the suggestion of Lady Catherine de Bourg. However, the novel clearly shows the financial implications of Elizabeth rejecting his offer, especially since he’s the one to inherit their land. The economic aspect of forming marriages is more apparent in the novel than the adaptations. Financial and domestic security was one of the main reasons for marriage of women in the Regency period.

Section 2

Point 2.1- Similar portrayal of Mrs. Bennet in all three texts.

The portrayal of Mrs. Bennet in the book and the series remains true to the novel. Her franticness and the significance of the scene (when Bingley arrives) is shown in the movie by keeping the dialogue quite similar- 'My dear Mr. Bennet, have you heard? Netherfield Park is let at last.'

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The novel begins when Mrs. Bennet excitedly tells her husband about the arrival of a man named Mr. Bingley in the neighborhood. Her franticness and the significance of the scene is shown in the movie by keeping the dialogue quite similar- 'My dear Mr. Bennet, have you heard? Netherfield Park is let at last.' The excitement of the Bennet girls, especially the younger ones, at the prospect of courting a rich eligible bachelor is shown more clearly in the movie, as they are listening at the door and giggling when their parents are talking. In The Lizzie Bennet Diaries since it is an adaptation set in the 21st century, the mother of the Bennet sisters is worried that none of her daughters are dating anyone instead of worried about them being married, as is appropriate for modern times. However, similar to the novel, Mrs. Bennet wants rich and successful men for her daughters. She is overjoyed when Bing Lee (Mr. Bingley), a medical student moves into the neighbourhood. Even though the sisters are quite young, Lizzie being 22, and Jane only a few years older, and Lydia still in college, Mrs. Bennet wants to see them settled and financially secured.

Mrs. Bennet understands they do not have money for dowry. It is more clear in the book that Mr. Collins is to inherit their property. This fact is mentioned in the movie but has been eluded, making the relationships the central focus.

Point 2.2- Mr and Mrs. Bennet’s relationship: Mrs.Bennet’s financial situation

To understand Mrs. Bennet, it is important to take a look at her marriage. Mr. Bennet has a very contrasting personality to his wife. While Mrs. Bennet is loud, nosy and blunt, Mr. Bennet stays in his own world. He prefers to stay in his study and read. He is not as adamant as his wife for his daughters to be married. There is only a small display of affection between the two in the movie, and none at all in the novel. Lizzie, in The Lizzie Bennet Diaries is right to say, “How these two ever got together in the first place, I will never know.” In the novel, since Mrs. Bennet has no inheritance of her own, it can be concluded that she married Mr. Bennet out of financial security rather than for love. She has a strong grasp of their economic reality, which is why she the nature of a man is second to his financial status in her eyes, explaining her desire for her daughters to be married to the rich newcomers in town.

There is also a difference between Mr. and Mrs. Bennet in their mindsets regarding marriage. Mrs. Bennet wants to see her daughters married and settled in a home at any cost. In the movie, she purposely sends jane on horseback to dine at Netherfield at Caroline Bingley's invitation, knowing that it might rain heavily and Jane in her drenched clothes would have to stay the night, thus increasing the chances of Mr. Bingley falling in love with her. Mr. Bennet knows that the mother’s convoluted actions might be too much and at hearing that Jane has fallen sick, he sarcastically comments, “Well, if Jane does die, it will be a comfort to know it was in pursuit of Mr. Bingley”. It is outrageous to her that Lizzie declined a perfectly acceptable marriage offer, deeming her as selfish and not thinking of her sisters and her family. On the contrary, Mr Bennet cannot imagine his daughter married to Mr. Collins, a self-absorbed man having nothing in common with Lizzie. He says so to Lizzie, “Well, Lizzie, from this day onwards, you must be a stranger to one of your parents,…Your mother will never see you again if you do not marry Mr. Collins, and I will never see you again if you do.”

Point 2.3- Mrs. Bennet understands social conventions

Three of Mrs. Bennet’s daughters are engaged or married by the end of the novel. Mrs. Bennet understands social conventions very well. However, she doesn't care about social norms and etiquette because of her obsession to marry off her daughters. In The Lizzie Bennet Diaries, when Jane is back from dinner at Bing Lee’s house, Lizzie says about Mrs. Bennet, “Part of her is disappointed in Jane for not eloping. And part of her feels the need to intervene in order to fast track this predestined marriage. So it’s safe to say she’s up to something…I know that she wants what’s best for us. Problem is, she never asks us what’s best for us.” Mrs. Bennet is out of her wits when she hears that Lydia has run away with George Wickham. Mr. Wickam plays the family to his advantage. He woos Lydia and then asks for 100 pounds a year from Mr. Bennet to order to marry Lydia. The Bennet family, of course, cannot refuse him as Lydia being married is a matter of the family's honor after her elopement. In the movie, Mrs. Bennet has an instant change of heart regarding Lydia’s situation when she hears that one of her daughters is to be married. She knows that once married, Wickham won't leave Lydia as she’s good enough for him. When Lizzie asks her if that is all she thinks about, Mrs. Bennet clearly states her feelings, “When you have five daughters, Lizzie, tell me what else will occupy your thoughts.” She cannot wait to tell Mrs. Lucas, towards whom she felt jealousy since her daughter Charlotte accepted Mr. Collins’ proposal and is now happily married, but her own daughter Elizabeth didn't and still has no prospects of marriage.

Section 3

Point 3.1- Elizabeth’s portrayal in both adaptations: Through the visuals in the movie and in The Lizzie Bennet Diaries, slanting towards a more independent modern woman.

“Wright’s view of Elizabeth is a matter that needs to be examined further. He created a strong, impertinent and fearless woman who does not respect the rules of Regency society. In fact, she is rather a prototype of a modern woman who is quite bitter and sure of her position. In the film there are many remarks that did not correspond to the book and confirm this thesis, for example […] Men are either eaten up with arrogance or stupidity. If they are amiable, they are so easily led they have no minds of their own whatsoever. [P&P, 2005]”

Elizabeth's defies social norms by refusing to marry Mr. Collins’, a supposedly perfect bachelor because she doesn’t want to marry only for financial security and societal status. In the movie, she conveys her feelings on marriage privately to her sister Jane, “You know perfectly well I do not believe marriage should be driven by a lot of money…Only the deepest love will persuade me into matrimony, which is why I will end up an old maid.” In The Lizzie Bennet Diaries, the dialogue gives the same meaning, “Only the deepest love should lead to marriage. Seriously, remember that.”

Mr. Collins found it difficult to understand why she would refuse his proposal seeing that he was economically well-off and she wasn't. He pitched her refusal to 'merely a natural delicacy' and thought that she was trying to 'increase my love by suspense...according to the usual practice of elegant females'. He even says that such an offer is unlikely to be made to Elizabeth in the future, a sentiment echoed by her mother later. However, Elizabeth remains adamant in her refusal saying that Mr. Collins cannot make her happy and she is certain that she cannot make him happy.

Point 3.2- Elizabeth and Darcy

“I could easily forgive his pride, if he had not mortified mine.”

A large portion of the movie is told through Elizabeth’s (Keira Knightley) perspective, which is similar to the novel. However the movie also shows scenes from the perspective of Mr. Darcy (Matthew Macfayden) which is not there in the book. In this manner, the movie shows the conflicting emotions of Darcy and how his feelings for Elizabeth develop. The dialogue varies between being the exact same as the book and altered in some scenes to help the modern audience connect better.

Their relationship is one of hate to love, unlike that of Jane and Bingley who developed a relationship quite quickly. It is questionable whether visiting Pemberley, Darcy’s residence and seeing its grandeur had anything to do with the change of heart that she has regarding Darcy. Quote from the novel - “at that moment she felt that to be mistress of Pemberley might be something!” The lavishness of Pemberley is shown more clearly in the movie than the novel or the series. Did she fall for the man or money?

Point 3.3- Comparing Elizabeth to Jane, Lydia and Charlotte

Elizabeth’s character varies a lot from Charlotte’s. In the novel, Charlotte is a few years older than Elizabeth. Her being unmarried is a matter of worry to her family since her financial situation is not sustainable, much like the Bennet sisters. She is viewed as a spinster-in-making by society. When Mr. Collins makes the same marriage proposal to Charlotte that he did to Elizabeth, she accepts. “Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance,'' she says in the novel. For her, it is necessary to marry for financial security and having her own home rather than love. Charlotte's sentiments at having accepted Mr. Collin's proposal are shown in the movie with apt, hard-hitting dialogue, “There was no earthly reason why I shouldn’t be as happy with him as any other…Not all of us can afford to be romantic. I’ve been offered a comfortable home and protection. There’s a lot to be thankful for…I’m 27 years old. I’ve no money and no prospects. I’m already a burden to my parents. And I’m frightened. So don’t judge me Lizzie” Her contentment is later shown when Lizzie visits her. Running a home was a major part of a married woman's life in those times.