Perhaps it's my own dyslexia and ADHD talking, but I can't stand the writing style of the original Pride and Prejudice. The Lizzie Bennet Diaries were both more comprehensible and far more entertaining for me.
When you break the series down, it's an impressive exercise in making a text accessible: the majority is presented in a modernized form, including the language and references, while the "reenactments" use the language and structure of the original writing (barring of course, things changed by the setting, like Lizzie being a Mass Communications student, instead of just a writer, or talk of cars instead of carriages).
What surprises me is how enduring this story is, given how heavily it leans on the convention of arranged marriage among the English gentry in the early 19th century. That tie comes across intact, event in this 21st century modernization because it is so intrinsic to the plot.
perhaps this is because the story is less about arranged marriage than it is about social and parental expectations and how the younger generation chafes against them.
Yes, and they did subvert the marriage thing in a few ways, most notably with Charlotte and Mr. Collins. I thought the series did a decent job with finding ways to create tension between Charlotte and Lizzie without depending on the marriage/love trope.
ReplyDeleteI agree that watching this series made the story much more comprehensible. I honestly did not think I would finish it either, but I ended up enjoying it. I also agree that the story puts less emphasize on 'arranged marriage' as a concept in order to translate into its modernized setting. I think that this changed emphasis is a huge reason fo why i actually enjoyed this version,
ReplyDeleteI agree - this to me is a perfect remix in many ways. It does so much while managing to stay true to the original text and express a real love for the original, rather than just trying to shout over it!
ReplyDelete