Pride and Prejudice

Many times, we often find movies based after a book or a novel. Usually, the motion picture or film is not as faithful to the book as we would prefer it to be. The film Pride and Prejudice was based, if not completely, after the novel Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. The plot, story analysis and characters are incredibly related; both mainly based on a young woman named Elizabeth Bennet, and her trials and tribulations with finding love. The book and movie intimately describe her emotional rollercoaster ride of love between Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, along with the experiences and relationships between her family and friends as well. Both unveil the prejudice that Elizabeth has towards Darcy, the pride Darcy shows towards Elizabeth and vice versa. Yet, the film and novel differed in numerous ways as well.

When Elizabeth first meets Darcy, they argue about the difference of poetry and dancing. In the book however, at first acquaintance, Darcy and Elizabeth did not discuss at all the difference of poetry and dancing. “Elizabeth Bennet had been obliged, by the scarcity of gentleman, to sit down for two dances; and during part of that time, Mr. Darcy had been standing near enough for her to overhear a conversation between him and Mr. Bingley…” (Austen, p. 8) As stated, Elizabeth overheard Darcy and Bingley’s conversation, but nowhere in that conversation or later on during the night did Elizabeth speak with Bingley, especially speak to him about poetry and dancing. The way Darcy and Lizzie acted in the movie was less intense as in the book regarding their dislike for one another. “…why, with so evident a design of offending and insulting me, you chose to tell me that you liked me against your will, against your reason, and even against your character? Was not this some excuse for incivility, if I was uncivil? But I have other provocations. You know I have. Had not my own feelings decided against you, had they been indifferent, or had they even been favourable, do you think that any consideration would tempt me to accept the man, who has been the means of ruining, perhaps forever, the happiness of a most beloved sister?” (Austen, p. 172-173) The passion Elizabeth shows towards Darcy, whether it be hate or love, was so real, so intense, so filled with emotion. At times during the movie, you can rarely see that between them. “Elizabeth and Darcy’s growing love delights the reader because everything about the two--their minds, tastes, appearances, and words--shows them to be ideally suited.” (Ebsco) The conversations exchanged sometimes seem dull and plain compared to the way it is depicted in the book which becomes disappointing at times because the movie, which is supposed to be more into Elizabeth and Darcy’s romance, does not shine their love as it is supposed to.

Austen introduces extraordinary females in a time period during which it was deemed socially unacceptable to think of women in this kind of fashion. She helps the reader form a positive feeling towards strong females, despite how many people from their time and that time period viewed women. Jane Austen builds characters who have become some of the finest products of strong and intelligent women of our society. She accomplishes this task by using the dialogue and actions of the characters to control the reader’s feelings towards these women. “Yes, my youngest is not sixteen. Perhaps she is full young to be much in company. But really, ma’am, I think it would be very hard upon younger sisters, that they should not have their share of society and amusement because the elder may not have the means or inclination to marry early.�The last born has as good a right to the pleasures of youth, as the first. And to be kept back on such a motive.�I think it would not be very likely to promote sisterly affection or delicacy of mind…Upon my word, said her ladyship, you give your opinion very decidedly for so young a person…” (Austen, p. 150 & 151) Although Austen successfully created this image for her novel, her characters were not as straight forward as the movie made them out to be. The characters did not express themselves in the same way. During the time period the characters lived in, they were not able to always say what they wanted to say, especially women. If they needed to say something, they would have to beat around the bush, or be completely indirect. In the movie, Keira Knightley strikes emotional notes that do not ring true to Elizabeth’s character. At times, she comes off a little too arrogant and a little too scornful in the way she expresses herself. The director of the movie also assigned her lines that Austen never wrote and that the true Elizabeth Bennet would never say.

Darcy’s character in the book was appeared obnoxious and a snob. “His character was decided. He was the proudest, most disagreeable