Pride and Prejudice

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     Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice is one of the most beloved classic novels of all time. The story revolves around the progression of the romantic relationship between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy. The ups and downs of the relationship between these two lovers and their evolution as individual characters are seen. 

     Elizabeth Bennet grew up with her objectively disagreeable mother, aloof father, and four sisters. She has many admirable qualities. From her funny, quick-witted responses to her protectiveness and love for her family, she’s a character well-liked by the majority of “Pride and Prejudice” readers. But she can also be judgemental. This character flaw is seen throughout the beginning of the book up until the climax. “From the very beginning- from the first moment, I may almost say- of my acquaintance with you, your manners, and your selfish feelings of others. . . I felt that you were the last man in the world whom I could ever be prevailed on to marry,” (Austen 196). The next day, Mr. Darcy writes her a letter that proves all of her assumptions and prejudices about him were wrong. Bennet recognizes her flaws which eventually would lead to her character development.  

     Although Elisabeth judged Mr. Darcy too harshly, it’s not like he left a very good impression the first time they met. When his friend recommended he dance with Elizabeth instead of standing alone, he said “she is tolerable but not handsome enough to tempt me,” (Austen 10).  Mr. Darcy has been depicted as a very unlikeable character, to begin with. He was seen as a rich arrogant landowner who no one found agreeable. 

     Due to Elizabeth’s social class and ill-mannered family, Mr. Darcy saw her as inferior to him. He believes women like her were only after a man with money and wealth so he put himself on this high pedestal above her. His prejudices change after Elizabeth refuses to accept his marriage offer. A woman declining a marriage offer from a rich nobleman is unheard of during that time period as marriage was seen as the only goal a woman coming of age should have. Elizabeth is constantly seen breaking that stereotype as she not only refuses one but two marriage offers despite the expectations placed on her by society. Mr. Darcy also starts to see the flaws in himself as he tries to win Elizabeth’s love by helping her little sister, Lydia, from a situation that would’ve tarnished not only her reputation but her family’s as well. Both characters were not perfect which makes them more relatable. 

     The pacing of the novel was perfect, it wasn’t going too fast so it felt unrealistic but also wasn’t too slow that it would make the reader lose interest in the lovers’ story. There was a great build-up to the climax and a great resolution after. However, the same could not be said for the movie. The movie felt very fast-paced and unrealistic. It seemed as if Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy hated each other one day and then got married the next. 

      The script was more or less the same. The majority of the dialogue was in the movie although some lines were cut out and others were added. In the climax of the movie, Mr. Darcy says a line that was not present in the novel, “You have bewitched me, body and soul, and I love you.” This is now one of the most famous lines quoted from Austen’s many works. Some scenes were also slightly altered. The climax of the movie where Elizabeth rudely refuses Mr. Darcy’s marriage proposal was not in Mr. Collins’s house like in the book but it was set outside. Elizabeth and Mr. Bennet’s humor is still in the movie but is more exaggerated to provide a comedic aspect to the already beautiful story.