One thing I really appreciate about the series "The Lizzie Bennet Diaries" is the way that the economics translated into contemporary times. The role of money in relationships is (obviously) still important; despite that we pretend that we're past socio-economic status playing a role in choosing a partner, it is still a huge factor. If anything, the novel was more honest than we are today. But that got me wondering: which of Lizzie's biases (in both the book and the series) are influenced by her perceptions of wealth? It's easy to see the ways in which Darcy is influenced by economic biases, but what about Lizzie? How much of her biases
against the wealthy are more difficult to extract because most of the viewers (and readers) were much closer to her status than to Darcy's?
These are some great questions, and I'm glad I wasn't the only one largely thinking about the socioeconomic importance that was still prevalent in TLBD! I agree that Darcy's biases are easy to play--especially in the novel, he definitely slightly "looked down" upon Lizzie because she didn't have his overwhelming wealth. And for Lizzie, the value of money and survival are constantly being berated into her ear by her mother. Lizzie is definitely intent on having, or marrying into, enough money to survive, but I do think money in excess is something that doesn't largely interest her. I got the vibe that she does view extreme wealth as snobbish and unnecessary, as likely a lot of us look at the elite and those extremely wealthy.
ReplyDeleteyes - check out my comment on Emily's post for more, but I do love what the LBD team did with the divide between Lizzie and Charlotte, by making that about what jobs are worth taking, rather than about husbands and marriages.
ReplyDeleteThat meme brings back memories for me. I could not help but acknowledge how financial burdens were noted in the book and mini series. I feel that people of different social statuses always have preconceived notions of each other. They tend to generalize. This is what Lizzie and Darcy did to one another. Having more money does not make you any better than the next person. Lizzie feeling the animosity, would obviously be offended or repulsed.
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