Pride and Prejudice

Hello readers, 

This blog is part of Thinking activity task. 

 1) Compare the narrative strategy of the novel and movie.

"Pride and Prejudice" is a classic novel by Jane Austen, first published in 1813. There have been numerous adaptations of the novel into movies and TV series, including a 2003 film adaptation. To compare the narrative strategies of the novel and the 2003 movie adaptation, we can examine various elements such as characterization, pacing, dialogue.

1. Characterization:

•     Novel: Jane Austen's novel provides detailed discription of its characters through third-person narrative. one gets access to the inner workings of Elizabeth Bennet's mind, her wit, and her evolving feelings for Mr. Darcy.
•  Movie (2003): The film adaptation has lively character and it has deep impact on viewers mind.
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2. Pacing:

•  Novel: The novel allows for a more pace, readers get detailed description of society,thoughts, situation.
•  Movie (2003): Due to time constraints, the movie must condense the narrative. Some subplots and character interactions are simplified, resulting in a faster-paced narrative.

3. Dialogue:

•  Novel: Jane Austen's novel is known for its witty and eloquent dialogue, which serves as a key tool for character development and social critique. The dialogue is rich in irony and subtext.
• Movie (2003): The film adaptation preserves much of the novel's famous dialogue, but some lines are condensed or modified to fit the medium. The performances of the actors play a crucial role in conveying the dialogue.

Novel:

• Written in third-person limited narration, mostly from Elizabeth's point of view. We see her thoughts, feelings and interpretations of events.
• Uses irony, wit and commentary to convey tone and point of view. Austen's voice comes through.
• Covers a longer timeframe and includes more events from the book through narration and conversations.
• Provides detailed descriptions of settings, characters' interactions and social rituals like visiting, dancing, dining. 

Movie:

• Shown through visuals and dialogue rather than narration. Unable to convey inner thoughts.
• Conveys tone through music, editing, acting performances. 
• Covers a shorter time frame and cannot include every detail and conversation. Some characters given less prominence.
• Uses cinematography and production design to convey settings and social rituals. Camera angles, costumes, props used creatively.
• Some scenes added or altered for dramatic or visual impact, like the sunrise proposal scene. 

The narrative strategy of the novel "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen and the 2003 movie adaptation differ due to the inherent distinctions between written and visual storytelling. The novel allows for deeper exploration of characters' thoughts and societal commentary, while the film uses visuals, performances, and dialogue to convey the essence of the story within the constraints of a cinematic medium. Both mediums have their strengths and limitations, and the 2003 adaptation seeks to capture the spirit of the novel while making necessary adjustments for the screen.

2) Write an illustration of the society of Jane Austen's time. 

In Jane Austen's time, which was a long time ago in the 18th and early 19th centuries, society was very different from today. Here's a simple illustration of what it was like:People lived in big houses and small villages. Most folks were either very rich or quite poor, with not many in between. 

Rich people wore fancy clothes with lots of layers, while poor folks had simpler clothes. Men and women had specific roles. Men usually worked and made important decisions, while women mostly took care of the home and the children.

People didn't have phones or computers. They wrote letters by hand with ink and quills. Marriages were often arranged, meaning parents decided who their children would marry. Love matches were less common.People had to follow strict manners and rules, especially at fancy parties. They had to be polite and proper.

During this time, society was very structured and proper. Social class was extremely important. There were the upper class, like Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice, who did not have to work and lived in large estates. Then there was the middle class or gentry, like the Bennet family, who did not have aristocratic titles but lived comfortably. Finally, there were the lower classes like the servants and laborers who worked for the gentry and upper classes. 

Marriage was essential, especially for women. Women were expected to marry, and their primary goal was finding a husband. For example, Mrs. Bennet's main concern is ensuring her daughters find husbands. Men generally had more freedom than women. Additionally, marriages were often arranged by families based on status and wealth rather than love. However, some of Austen's characters like Elizabeth Bennet went against conventions and turned down proposals because they wanted to marry for love.

Reputation and propriety were paramount. Gossip spread quickly in the villages and everyone was concerned with maintaining appearances. For instance, Lydia Bennet's elopement with Wickham threatened her sisters' reputations. Rules of etiquette dictated strict societal practices. Visiting others' homes, attending balls and dinner parties, and introductions through mutual acquaintances were parts of the complex social rituals. 

3) What if Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth never got together? What if Lydia's elopement had a different outcome? Explore the consequences of these changes and write alternative endings to the novel.

In the novel, we can find different endings. If Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth never get together then, it wouldn't be that much popular novel during that time. Here are some possible alternative endings for Pride and Prejudice: 

If Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth never got together:

• Elizabeth might have ended up marrying Mr. Collins after Charlotte left him. She would have been severely unhappy.
• Mr. Darcy would remain unmarried. He might later regret losing Elizabeth.
• The Bennet family would remain without financial security. The estate is entailed to Mr. Collins so Mrs. Bennet and her unmarried daughters could be turned out of Longbourn after Mr. Bennet dies.

If Lydia's elopement had a different outcome: 

• If Mr. Darcy had not intervened and convinced Wickham to marry Lydia, the Bennet would be publicly disgraced. 
• None of the Bennet sisters would be able to marry respectable men due to the scandal. 
• The family might plunge into greater financial insecurity.
• Elizabeth and Darcy likely would not have reconciled, as he helped her family in its time of crisis.
• Lydia might have been cast out of family and society without a husband. Wickham would not take responsibility.

In this consequences, there can be various ending but surely not happy ending.

So the happy endings rely on Darcy and Elizabeth overcoming pride and prejudice to love each other, and Darcy rescuing the Bennet family honor. The alternate outcomes show how important these events were.

Thank you.

Word Count: 1200

Image: 2

Video: 1