Original Mrs Bennet example essay topic

Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice is an excellent burlesque on her society in particular it celebrates the ultimate triumph of romantic love over all impediments. The novel is written in light, airy, sparkling prose and offers an unforgettable portrait of a particular society with all its charms and blemishes. The novel's scenery is limited to well-appointed homes and estates, but its exploration of the human condition is unlimited. The 1995 BBC adaptation of the novel, and particularly the opening scene, follows the text verbatim, yet to visually enhance our enjoyment of the original text the film offers a version which is aesthetically pleasing, despite the relatively quick succession of visual images. Even with the demands of film requiring the establishment of character, context and visual augmentation, we leave the first ten minutes of the BBC recreation with the same message- both texts allow us to see a pitch-perfect piece of social commentary, brilliantly dissecting the imprudent, class-based prejudices of its characters. The opening sentence of Pride and Prejudice "It's a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife"- immediately establishes the centrality of advantageous marriage, a fundamental social value of Regency England.

The arrival of Mr Bingley is the event that sets the novel in motion because it creates the prospect of a marriage of wealth and good connections for the eager Bennet girls. This entry into the novel signifies the importance of this opening scene and chapter. This opening sentence has a subtle, understated significance. In its declarative and buoyant claim that a wealthy man must be in want of a wife, it hides just beneath its surface the 'real' truth of such matter; a single woman must be in want of a husband especially a wealthy one. The film too understates the significance of this opening sentence represented by way of discourse. Ironically these words appear to come from Lizzy, of all the Bennet girls she is the one most divergent to the idiom.

The first chapter consists almost entirely of dialogue, a typical instance of Austen technique of using the manner in which characters express themselves to reveal their traits and attitudes. Its last paragraph, in which the narrator describes Mr Bennet as a 'mixture of quick parts, sarcastic humour, reserve and caprice,' and his wife as "a woman of mean understanding, little information and uncertain temper,' simply confirms the character assessments that the reader has already made based on their conversation: Mrs Bennet embodies ill-breeding and is prone to monotone hysteria; Mr Bennet is a wit who retreats from his wife's overly serious demeanour. The film brings us to feel even less sympathy for Mr Bennet as his conduct is seen as all the more mordant and witty. Perhaps the visual element enhances our judgment on Mr and Mrs Bennet's etiquette; however it does seem to be dramatized for implementation. The 1995 BBC production of Pride and Prejudice by Andrew Davies, interprets the opening scene with scrupulous attention to original detail. Elizabeth is the character through which Austen relays her views on what society should be like.

It is clear that she has a moral conscience and will choose her husband following her heart and remain true to her feeling. She does not consider materialistic values as important. The casting is a crucial aspect of the film scenes. Jennifer Elle as the feisty and exquisite Elizabeth is the embodiment of Austen's heroine.

Her father's favourite, she inherits his wit and mental acumen, Lizzy becomes the spearhead of social evolution, in an age in which social status is waning and individual character is rare. This mirrors her intelligence and in this, the opening scene, are a fine barometer of her emotions of drollness, amusement and disparity patina through. Perhaps the only slight criticism of the opening scene adaptation is the casting of Alison Steadman as Mrs Bennet. In the Austen original Mrs Bennet is an abominable, shrill, social climbing woman who exemplifies the very superficial qualities that Austen is satirizing. However, in the film, these qualities are magnified to the point of caricature so that the audience loses belief and we wonder how the brilliant and ironic Mr Bennet could ever have been drawn to marry such a brainless harridan. Far from detracting from our enjoyment of the wittiest of novels, the BBC adaptation provides us with even greater enjoyment and understanding of Austen's genius.

Clever camera angles and close ups allow for a penetrating study of the emotional nuances played out in this introductory scene. Austen's words are enhanced by our appreciation of Elizabeth's temperament and telling body language, as well as our enjoyment of the array of dialogue going on between Mr and Mrs Bennet. The BBC adaptation, not only complements the luminous dialogue of the original text, but also helps us visualize the setting and characters of this ironic and satisfying novel. This film analysis of action, individual character and the character of life provides great insight into the course and outcome of the story. The BBC variation of the novel does it impartiality in every portion. The film visually enhances our enjoyment of the original text, and truly does Austen's work justice..