Almost every writer knows about the classics. Books like Jane Eyre, The Picture of Dorian Gray, Frankenstein and Pride and Prejudice are all novels that shape the storytelling of many great authors today. However, when I first discovered Jane Austen’s most well known book, I committed a crime that any avid reader would chastise me for–I watched the movie first.
I was forced into watching it by my older sister, who insisted that I would love it, but really I would’ve preferred literally any other movie at that moment. I wasn’t interested in period pieces. I’d rather watch a 2000’s rom com or a horror film. My sister refused to compromise, forcing me to sit and watch a movie I had never intended on watching.
After the few moments it took to get over my petty grudge, I was completely invested–squealing during the ball scene when Mr. Darcy does a double take at Elizabeth Bennet, or swooning over the iconic hand-flex moment after he helps her into the carriage. I sat there, fully immersed in this world, captivated by the many surprises it carried. I knew my sister was going to have a one-up on me, because as much as I hated to admit it, she was absolutely correct–I was in love.
I became obsessed with the film, unable to think about watching anything else for a long time. Every aspect of it felt personal, as if the viewer was entering the lives of the Bennet family one moment at a time. The cinematography played a crucial role in creating this feeling, as the natural flow of each shot allows the viewer to become completely lost in the film. When the scenes turn to the Bennet family’s cottage-like home in the country the viewer sees the giggling sisters running throughout the rooms, the two parents having an intense conversation, and Elizabeth Bennet (played by Keira Knightley) reading to herself, unphased by the chaos.
The first few times I watched this movie I missed many of these subtle details, but after indulging myself in the complexities of the character dynamics, the close connection between the sisters became clear. Each one of them is quite well developed for a two hour movie, considering they are not the focus, which is unusual especially for female characters. Each girl is presented as a complete person with their own struggles and attributes, allowing for a better connection between home and screen and contributing to the comforting atmosphere that I felt while watching. Not only that, but Elizabeth’s strong bond with her father is clear throughout the entire film; he always stands up for her when no one else will, and Elizabeth knows that.
Even the stomach churning romance between the two main characters allows for an interesting dynamic. On every rewatch, it is extremely easy to find something you haven’t noticed before–glances that you might not have picked up on, whispers that aren't easily heard. Elizabeth Bennet (Keira Knightley) and Mr. Darcy (Matthew Macfayden) are clear enemies from the beginning when he says that she is “not handsome enough to tempt me” while Elizabeth is nearby. This scene introduces the main theme of the book and film–the pride presented by both Darcy and Elizabeth. They are interested in each other, but blatant miscommunication and lingering hate between the two characters leads to a combative dynamic that creates tension in the viewer who cringes at the sight, yet it is still somehow impossible to look away. The chemistry between the two main characters is always present. Darcy is clearly infatuated with Elizabeth, but she can never put aside her pride because of the way he wronged her.
“Are you too proud Mr. Darcy, and would you consider pride a fault or virtue?”
Elizabeth consistently faults Darcy for his pride, not realizing she is just as prideful as he. She sees him as being prejudiced against her family due to their lower social status and lack of money, but she doesn’t realize that a lot of her hate from him stems from his wealth and family background, not entirely his character. They both have such a distaste for the other’s actions and personality, yet they both are proven entirely wrong over the months they get to know each other. Mr. Darcy falls for Elizabeth almost immediately, and Elizabeth only realizes her affection over time. After she finally puts her pride aside, she sees Mr. Darcy’s true character, something that she previously thought was impossible.
When considering modern love, Pride and Prejudice’s lessons remain applicable to the current day. It is difficult to see a person’s true character when you carry resentment from their past actions or your preconceptions of their background or social class. It is difficult to consider that some people can truly change, and that individuals do not always comport with the stereotypes associated with their surface traits. You need to give someone the chance to reveal their intentions and their true personality. When Elizabeth Bennet realizes Mr. Darcy is not as vain as he seemed, she suddenly perceives him from a completely different viewpoint. When people look past their pride and unfound prejudices, it is easy to enjoy someone’s presence and understand their character.
The desire and love between the two main characters made me reflect on how we view love in the modern day. What is our version of the pride and prejudice presented by Jane Austen, and how can it be combated in order to allow people to connect to each other? It is easy to imagine that under different circumstances Darcy and Elizabeth would have never developed a romantic relationship and would have spent the rest of their lives hating each other rather than understanding and loving each other by the end of the movie. This miscommunication in the movie is applicable to what love is like today, and this book was written over 200 years ago. Love is one thing that never changes, and Pride and Prejudice is a lesson in the way one must put their proud nature aside to find one who matters.
Enjoy what you're reading?
Signup for our newsletter
Read More
The "Girl's Girl" Dilemma: Ariana Grande's Controversy
By Magdalena Johnson | Mar. 7Alongside renown for her new movie Wicked, Ariana Grande faces backlash on her personal choices involving her romantic life. How much of this backlash is a side effect of a patriarchal society?
The Alpha Mentality: The Dangerous Rise of Misogynistic Male Podcasts
By Alexandria Stephens | Jan. 1Toxic male podcasts that spread harmful rhetoric are on the rise, perpetrating dangerous ideals to their audiences.