But what was most impressive to me about this vlog series is that it answered the questions that many of us probably ask ourselves while reading classic literature: Are these problems in this novel still relevant today? If this story were in a modern setting, how would it look? Would it be silly? Would it be serious? Would it even work? LBD answered all of those questions for Pride and Prejudice. While this series had a much sillier tone than the classic novel (as it should, since it's literally a series made of vlogs) it still had impactful emotional moments and thorough plot points in-between all of the kind of cringy acting. Lizzie and Lydia were hilariously at VidCon when they meet Mr. Collins, Lizzie (a modern working woman) shadows at Mr. Darcy's communications company--the series presented major plot points in these modern, relatable settings, and it not only worked--but it was entertaining and probably much easier for a modern audience to understand. The plot of Pride and Prejudice was proven by this series to still be largely relevant: Mothers still trying to control their daughters and their romantic lives, the confusing lines and mixed communication that can happen between romantic partners and even family, and both not having to sacrifice your identity for a potential partner, while also having them inspire you to become a better version of yourself.
We try to act like we are past the many dated conceptions that Pride and Prejudice presents to us in its story. But LBD proved that really, we are not, but rather far from it.
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| Thoroughly enjoyed meta moments like this one that were sprinkled throughout the series! |
All of the changes that were made (development of characters, modernization, and adjusted emphasis from arranged marriage to interpersonal growth) makes me wonder what the most important change was. I Personally think it was the actors themselves; they had magnetic qualities that, even though they were hard to watch at times, i couldn't pull myself away from. I think even if this wasn't modernized in the several ways it was, it still would have worked wonderfully if it were the same cast (and they still were making vlogs and that was somehow normal for the 19th century)
ReplyDeleteI think taking a step back, like you do here, can really help readers gain some perspective. Often when we read older works like Pride and Prejudice, we can scoff at some of the decisions characters make (how crazy is it that these girls' families put so much pressure on them?! We would NEVER let our parents treat us like that now...). But the societal norms; marrying someone respectable, never turning down a job offer, letting a situation get out of hand because it would be too awkward to bring into conversation, still have a very strong hold on us. Suddenly, it doesn't seem so far fetched that Elizabeth's mother would put so much importance on her accepting a proposal.
ReplyDeleteYes, what's kooky here is that the vlog is supposed to emulate reality, or at least close the distance between fiction and reality, and yet it is still clearly crafted and elevated in a way that screams "fictional." The illusion of being "real" is undermined by the obvious scripting and acting. So if the creator's goal was to ground the story in real life, it doesn't work. (Of course, grounding something in reality isn't the only measure of the success of an adaptation, but why choose a format that tries to emulate reality?)
ReplyDeleteWhat you're commenting on here, how vlogs are created and how they're supposed to emulate reality, but are still crafted and intentional is really interesting. With vlogs and reality television we get that sense of reality but deep down we know that it's not real. What are we here for then, as viewers? Is it just the perception of reality that we know is just *slightly* off and more staged from our own reality? Does it feel closer to home than a full on movie production?
DeleteYES. I really like the way that they take the divide between Lizzie and Charlotte in the novel and turn it into a convo about what kind of job is worth taking - to me that is the perfect moment in the whole series. Watching Charlotte at Collins and Collins (the ketchup and mustard costumes, OMG SO BAD) is more painful than watching her in the novel married to Mr Collins because it is so close to home. Thanks for your comments, y'all!
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