It looks like I’m not the only first-time reader of Pride and Prejudice here. Like Mike, I struggled significantly in finishing this book. Every time I sat down to read, my phone instantly became the most interesting thing in the world comparatively. How was I supposed to be interested in rich people making the poor decisions only rich people can make? Why should anyone worry about what Lady Catherine De Bourgh thinks about people? The internet isn’t even around, Elizabeth! It’s not like she can go on a Twitter tirade about how low class you are!
It was only once I got some perspective from my girlfriend that I was able to really appreciate the book. She told me to think about Pride and Prejudice as if it were reality TV. Contemporary Austen readers didn’t have 90 Day Fiancé, Big Brother, or even The Real-World Road Rules Challenge to keep them occupied. Characters in Pride and Prejudice are not unlike people on reality TV today. Mrs. Bennet is flaky and air-headed, Mr. Wickham is a low-life, and Mr. Collins is more full of himself than anyone has any reason to be. 434 pages may be a bit intimidating, but cut this story into 30-minute segments, and most of America will surely tune in.
Yes, it does have a reality-show sort of feel to it. I wonder what that means about the narration. The narration of the story (despite being third person) seems to be VERY influenced by Elizabeth's opinions about people. Is that sort of like the producers on reality shows wanting to make sure that the audience develops certain opinions of the characters to make everything more dramatic? :)
ReplyDeleteI think you are on to something with the producers of reality shows! Like Austen, those "stories" aren't really reality, they are scripted. I have a friend who was on House Hunters on HGTV, and he gave me the reality of the reality show: it's all staged and scripted. Yes, they bought a house, but it was purchased BEFORE the show started filming. I think the same could be said about Austen and Elizabeth, and perhaps therein lies her talent and "art." Austen can manipulate (strong word, I know) the readers to go down various paths and turns. It's why the book is so much fun for so many people! At some point (around halfway through for me) you realize that Elizabeth and Darcy are going to end up together. How we get there is the fun of the read!
DeleteWhat a fantastic meme.
ReplyDeleteThe real question would be would the show be renewed for another season? Judging my the numerous remakes my guess is yes. I do think it is interesting to paint the characters in these lights. In fact I think it is easier for me to comprehend the story this way, so please thank your girlfriend for that.
I think its also worth noting that even though there wasn't the possibility of a Twitter tirade, there was the possibility of endless gossip. When you live in a society of constant chit chat and constant status Elizabeth was definitely taking a big risk. Props to her!
agreed - a HUGE risk for her. Lady Catherine has tons of influence and could find a way to trash Lizzy to everyone with no trouble whatsoever.
Deletebut would it be renewed tho? I think not. We rarely want to see the real life that comes after the wedding, do we? we'd rather just imagine the "happily ever after" than actually see it happen. There have been a lot of unofficial sequels (both fan and published), most of which are unsatisfying. PD James' Death Comes to Pemberley is an exception - it's pretty satisfying, but that's largely because it's a murder mystery rather than just a "what are they up to now?" story.
DeleteAgreed on the quality meme-ification!
ReplyDeleteI'll be curious what you have to say about the Lizzie Bennet Diaries, since that is basically the premise: taking the book and turning it into Lizzie's "vlog"! It was hugely popular and there were viewers of the YouTube show who legit did not know that it was P&P. I'm sure eventually the comments clued them in, but I was fascinated to see that while I was watching it originally.
I think the idea of renewal is a complicated concept her because most of these reality shows renew the same premise but with different characters. You're right, they definitely don't follow the original cast, probably because they realize real life isn't that exciting and a lot of these couples are doomed to fail. Still I don't know that it would be possible to "renew" this exact format in the way some of the reality shows do. However after watching the Lizzie Bennet diaries some so far, I guess it would be possible to renew that somewhat of a zoomed in look at several of the characters in mini episodes the way she has? Its a very cool concept so far.
ReplyDeleteThats why i think that Austen's writing ability is so crucial here, especially with this novel. (though it is extremly exhausting). Human emotion is so so complex, and so is Austen's writing, but pairing them together allows readers to actually become interested in this story? if it were not for her writing style, i would have had less headaches, BUT, i also would have not cared one bit about the 'worries of the wealthy'. I am able to put myself in Elizabeth's shoes and live out this actually rather interesting debacle.
ReplyDelete