It’s been awhile since I’ve written about the Pride & Prejudice Bicentenary Challenge. The last time was my review of the Lizzie Bennet Diaries vlog series on Youtube. How much fun was that? I have really enjoyed the year-long bicentennial celebration of one of my favorite books, PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, by Jane Austen, and I loved discovering what a vast fandom her books have. So many works inspired by the fictional relationship between Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy, such an amazing achievement for an author! One could read nothing but these works if one so chose.
To end the year with a bang, and in the month of Austen’s birthday no less, I crammed in as much P & P action as I could. As the new year approached, I finished reading the original text and then watched two movie versions of the novel. Austen’s use of language to vividly portray such wonderful, flawed characters, was by far, my favorite part of this year-long celebration.
Speaking of characters, some of my favorite lines from the book involve the frequent discussions of character:
- “I did not know before,” continued Bingley immediately, “that you were a studier of character. It must be an amusing study.”
“Yes, but intricate characters are the most amusing. They have at least that advantage.” (Elizabeth Bennet to Mr. Bingley.)
- “There are few people in this world whom I really love, and still fewer who I think well. The more I see of the world, the more I am I dissatisfied with it; and every day confirms my belief of the inconsistency of all human characters, and of the little dependence that can be placed on the appearance of either merit or sense.” (Elizabeth Bennet to her sister Jane.)
- “I am particularly unlucky in meeting with a person so well able to expose my real character, in part of the world, where I had hoped to pass myself off with some degree of credit. Indeed, Mr. Darcy, it is very ungenerous in you to mention all that you knew to my disadvantage in Hertfordshire – and give me leave to say, very impolitic too – for it is provoking me to retaliate, and such things may come out, as will shock your relations to hear.” (Elizabeth Bennet speaking with Colonel Fitzwilliam and Mr. Darcy.)
- “I write without any intention of paining you, or humbling myself, by dwelling on wishes, which, for the happiness of both, cannot be too soon forgotten; and the effort which the formation, and the perusal of this letter must occasion, should have been spared, had not my character required it to be written and read. You must therefore, pardon the freedom with which I demand your attention; your feelings, I know, will bestow it unwillingly, but I demand it of your justice.” (Letter from Mr. Darcy to Elizabeth Bennet.)
- “When my eyes were opened to his real character – Oh! had I known what I ought, what I dared, to do! But I knew not – I was afraid of doing too much. Wretched, wretched, mistake!” (Elizabeth Bennet speaking to Mr. Darcy.)
- “Allow me to say, Lady Catherine, that the arguments with which you have supported this extraordinary application, have been as frivolous as the application was ill-judged. You have widely mistaken my character, if you think I can be worked on by such persuasions as these. how far your nephew might approve of your interference in his affairs, I cannot tell; but you have certainly no right to concern yourself in mine. I must beg, therefore, to be importuned no farther on the subject.” (Elizabeth Bennet speaking to Lady Catherine de Bourgh.)
Ah, such fantastic language, and oh, what a beautifully written heroine, don’t you think?
Watching the movies just let me revel in my favorite bits of the story, with some lovely eye-candy to boot. As many in the challenge have said, you always love your first P & P movie the best, and mine is the 2005 version with Kiera Knightley and Matthew McFadyen. Although I did enjoy the 1995 Colin Firth mini-series as well, (who doesn’t love that swimming scene, right?) I felt the emotional impact was stronger in the 2005 version. I mean, come on, Matthew Mcfadyen’s trembling hand after he helps Kiera Knightly in to the carriage? Who didn’t feel weak at the knees right then?
(Let the debate begin!)
Have you been following this celebration? What are your favorite parts of Pride & Prejudice?
valerie r lawson 
One of the progeny thoughtfully gave mr a comprehensive volume of all seven of Austen’s stories–yes, seven. Be tuned to my post in February for more details😉
And I’m torn–like the Firth for keeping more to the original Austen–yet, the Knightley is so prettily delivered.
Oh! I have one, too. It was also a present. Looks like our families really know us well. I agree the 2005 version is visually appealing. That and it gets to the best bits faster.
I’ll definitely stay tuned for your upcoming posts.
Choosing a favorite P&P would be like asking me to choose which child I love most. They are each incredible in their own ways. My two-year-old daughter had a fever last month, so I plopped her in bed with a coloring book and curled up to re-watch the mini series I’d recorded. I was so excited to share it with her. Since she probably won’t remember the momentous occasion, I snapped a photo! Of course, after watching the movie, I had to re-read the book. One night, I was feeling particularly exhausted and selfish, so my five-year-old son and his sister played under the Christmas tree as I read most of a chapter aloud. It’s a credit to the rhythm of the language that they didn’t pelt me with stuffed animals and demand Dr. Seuss. I loved reading your celebratory blog entries this year!
I always enjoyed reading aloud to my kids when they were young. We went through almost all of the Harry Potter series until my daughter was old enough to read them on her own. I should like to share Jane Austen with her. Great idea! And thanks for reading my posts!