Comparison of Novel and Film Versions of "Pride and Prejudice"
Summary:
A comparison of Jane Austen's classic novel "Pride and Prejudice" with a film version. In the author's opinion, so much time is spent on the character of Mrs. Bennet in the movie that it fails to properly expand the other characters.
Upon comparing and contrasting the movie and the book of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, I have found many contrasts between them. These changes do not alter the plot and the theme of Pride and Prejudice, though they do take away important messages and the original story that Jane Austen wrote. Through these changes to the novel, such as the changes to the character of Mr. Collins, differentiations of the Bennet mansion, and far too much focus on Mrs. Bennet, it demonstrates that the movie has made large changes to the story.
In the novel of Pride and Prejudice the story is somewhat altered by a few changes to many of the aspects of the book. One such amendment is the layout and the style of the Bennet Mansion. The book describes the house (aptly named Longbourn) as nothing much more then a barnyard, a simple house that has a drawing room, a dining-parlor, a few bedrooms and drawing-room (only rooms mentioned). Bedrooms their are, though it is clear from the text the Bennets double up two to a room. 'Jane and Elizabeth talked late into the night, from the convenience of their own room'. (Chapter 8) In the book Longbourn is described as a small yet livable house. 'As they passed through the hall, Lady Catherine opened the doors into the dining-parlor and drawing-room, and pronouncing them, after a short survey, to be decent looking rooms but nothing more, walked on.' (Chapter 53) However, in the movie the audience perceives a large mansion with three levels; the house seems also to be very structurally sound and correctly constructed. However in the novel Lady Catherine comments on the inadequate design of the house by stating "This must be a most inconvenient sitting room for the evening, in summer; the windows are full west." (Chapter 53) As well the novel describes the garden/park as small, "You have a very small park here," returned Lady Catherine after a short silence." (Chapter 53) However in the movie we observe a large expanse of green, an open meadow, and even a pond. Moreover Longbourn itself seems a bit lavish for Mr. Bennet to maintain "Mr. Bennet's property consisted almost entirely in an estate of two thousand a year" (Chapter 7). That is to say that the Longbourn depicted in the movie seems a bit sumptuous for a man of two thousand a year to maintain. In many of the various scenes in Pride and Prejudice (the movie), we observe servants, (at least three) a butler, and two maids. We also observe the Miss Bennets (Lydia in particular) buy whatever they fancy, 'May I buy a new dress, or even a new outfit for the ball?' usually followed by agreements and approval by Mrs. Bennet, who takes it upon herself to buy new outfits for all her girls. These two 'factors' would seem to eat up if not exceed Mr. Bennets two thousand a year. Indeed, food costs, house up keep, water, carriage repairs, and the maintaining of a horse would seem to tax the two thousand a year exceedingly already. By creating the image that the Bennets are wealthier then they really are, the movie does not portray the social class 'jump' that Jane and Elizabeth are taking as effectively as it could have.
Many changes have been made to the character of Mr. Collins, and it is regrettable that this transpired. In the novel Mr. Collins was good humored and enamored by wealth and social status. He also seemed to be the novels 'comic relief' with his long speeches and his utter failure to realize his imprudence. Although the movie does portray the character towards this 'comic relief persona', it does not give justice to Jane Austen's primary character portrayal. The movie does this by continually having Mr. Collins make comparisons between anything and a fireplace located at Rossing Parks. In the novel Mr. Collins could not be called the brightest light bulb in the pack, a Russian light bulb pack at that. 'The subjection in which his father had brought him up had given him originally great humility of manner; but it was now a good deal counteracted by the self-conceit of a weak head' (Chapter 15). He seems to have been very lucky in life, and his present prosperity is a result of luck, not endured hardships. This becomes blatantly obvious when he seeks himself a wife. 'And for the first evening SHE was his settled choice. The next morning, however, made an alteration'. He 'flip-flops' between who he thinks would make him a good wife. Indeed Jane Austen gives the impression that Mr. Collins is a kid in a candy store. Upon discovering that Elizabeth was far too expensive he purchases the next piece of chocolate that he finds (Miss. Lucas). However in the movie he seems to have been 'toned down' and he does not seem to be as naive as he is in the novel. 'He declared he might almost have supposed himself in the small summer breakfast parlor at Rosings'. Undeniably his comment is taken with offense and it seems that Lady Lucas (for that is who the comment was intended for) was very displeased with the statement, even though it was intended with good will. However in the movie this scene is played out with yet another reference towards Lady de Burgh's fire place, comical yes, though the audience now will never know that Mr. Collins is an insensitive, and Naïve character. Due to this lacking portrayal in the movie of the character of Mr. Collins, it removes a clear sense of how people are affected by wealth, and how those brought up in a wealthy manner do not know how to act, or how to properly distinguish themselves.
I wish at this point to make a comparison between the movie and the novel; this comparison will focus on the character of Mrs. Bennet. I am making this comparison to further my argument that the movie was unable to properly follow the plot and theme of Pride and Prejudice. By spending so much time on the character on Mrs. Bennet the movie fails to properly expand other characters. During the second ball the movie focuses mainly on how rude Mrs. Bennet is. It is an excellent portrayal of her character 'Her mother would talk of her views in the same intelligible tone. Elizabeth blushed and blushed again with shame and vexation.' (Chapter 18). The movie did such a good job however that it did not have adequate time to properly portray the character of Miss. Bingley at the same ball. This lack of focus on the character of Miss. Bingley could not have occurred at a worse time, this lack of focus leads the audience to believe that Mr. Wickham is indeed a poor and 'leech' like character. '"I beg your pardon," replied Miss Bingley, turning away with a sneer. "Excuse my interference: it was kindly meant. "' (Chapter 18) This quote is in reference to a tit-for-tat argument between Elizabeth and Miss. Bingley on the character of Mr. Wickham, where Miss. Bingley warns Elizabeth that he is not what he seems. Reading Pride and Prejudice, and especially this section of the novel, we observe that Miss. Bingley is very loyal and cares for those people that she knows. This is emphasized during this 'conversation' with Elizabeth, or why should she warn Elizabeth at all? The character of Mrs. Bennet also interferes with the character of Mr. Bennet, who in the book is also portrayed as embarrassing and rude. "That will do extremely well, child. You have delighted us long enough. Let the other young ladies have time to exhibit." (Chapter 18) However during the movie we view Mr. Bennet as a caring father who in the very same situation tactfully removes Mary from her piano pose, while the viewer is focused on what Mrs. Bennet is gossiping about with Lady Lucas. This lack of focus on the character of Mr. Bennet makes him look like a good father, which according to the novel, is not true, as stated by the quote 'and occasionally even by your father' (Chapter 35 Darcy letter). The movies concentration on Mrs. Bennet was, in a sense, 'too much', and removed from the other characters a sense of 'roundness', and 'development'.
The movie may have had the same ending, the same plot, and the same overall theme, however the movie lacked much. One cannot make a movie in which poor characters appear to be rich, in which the key characters are not focused on as much as they should be, or where minor characters suddenly have the point of attention. The movie was good, but failed to accurately portray the book which Jane Austen originally wrote.
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