During the summer holidays (ah, I miss them already!) on a random whim, my sister and I decided to watch the 2005 adaption of 'Pride and Prejudice', the one with Kiera Knightley and Matthew Macfayden. I'd never seen the film before, but I had read the book and seen the Bollywood version, 'Bride and Prejudice' when I was about ten years old and loved both. The novel mostly follows the Bennet family, the witty second born Elizabeth especially and deals with the importance of a 'good marriage' for the less wealthy as well as other issues such as the class system, the role of women and education in the Georgian era.Pride and Prejudice is loved by many and it has been adapted numerous times, the popular 1995 TV series and Bridget Jones' Diary being examples, both starring Colin Firth as 'Mr Darcy'. Ah, the popular 1995 TV series...I must admit that my teenage eyes have not yet grasped the appeal of Colin Firth in 'the lake scene', which is ranked in many polls as one of the most memorable scenes in British television but I'm sure that the appeal will come in due time. I really enjoyed the 2005 film because it brought so much life and youth into Austen's best loved classic, whilst still adhering to the novel. Its beautiful swooping shots also made me, a firm city dweller, appreciate the English countryside more. Kiera Knightley's performance as Elizabeth was well deserving of the Oscar nomination, her on-screen sisterly relationship with Rosamund Pike's 'Jane' being believable and quite sweet. As a sucker for romance and handsome men, I fell for Matthew Macfayden's Mr Darcy and even sought out the alternate American ending which was heavily romantic and swoon worthy. Although English critics despised it, I personally loved it as I have a cheesy heart and I'm a fan of the cliched 'Hollywood kiss'.
The film rekindled my forgotten love for Pride and Prejudice and I took the novel with me to read again in Paris. I'm kind of an Austen keeno- she has an unparalled way with words, evidenced with Elizabeth Bennet's wit and vivacious conversations with Mr Darcy. In my opinion, gentle declarations of love such as the ones that Austen uses in her works outdo the smuttiness of some of the so called 'literature' of today. (Fifty Shades of Grey, anyone?) It could be said that Elizabeth is an early feminist role model; she defends herself and her family on occasion, never allowing herself to be belittled by those who see themselves as superior to her and she refuses to conform to the norms of the patriarchal society.
Pride and Prejudice gives insight into the world of the Georgian era, when marriage was essential for fear of poverty, in the case of the Bennet family or becoming an 'old maid'. This is why women often fell into loveless marriages in order to prevent this, exampled by Charlotte Lucas' (Elizabeth's best friend) marriage to the odious Mr Collins. The novel's title gives away the novel's two main themes- it is Darcy's pride that initially prevents him from viewing Elizabeth and her family as his equals and this pride results in him insulting Elizabeth's vanity by saying she is 'not handsome enough' to tempt him. The words cause Elizabeth to be prejudiced towards him for the majority of the novel, as she refuses to see any good in him - 'vanity, not love has been my folly'.
As I re-read, I found myself wishing that men of today were more like Bingley and Darcy, with pleasant, loving words and more. Someday, I want my own Mr Darcy, someone who will love me enough to go the extra mile for me, inconveniencing himself as well as willing to to participate in a few verbal spars with me from time to time! (I can be quite adamant to my own opinion sometimes, hence why this blog exists).
Right, enough of me dreaming up my perfect husband. Pride and Prejudice is a really good story that is timeless and a story that one can read over and over again. If you haven't read it, you must!
Rating- 5/5 *****
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pride-Prejudice-Jane-Austen/dp/184317569X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1347287103&sr=1-1
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