Pride and Prejudice Movies vs. Pride and Prejudice Book

Today I finished rereading Pride and Prejudice for the second time. Even though I knew what was coming I enjoyed the book far more this time. I have grown used to Jane Austen's way with words and was much better able to appreciate her wit. There are a million literary don'ts now days that she artfully gets away with. To have her talent.....

I am amazed at how closely the 1995 version of Pride and Prejudice, starring Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle, followed Austen's book. They were so true to her intent. Large portions of dialogue are taken right from the pages of Pride and Prejudice and even more has been only slightly modified. Darcy in this movie is enough to twist your heart around in circles right along with Elizabeth's.

The more recent version of this tale starring Keira Kneightly incorporates more of the humor, I must say, but it also portrays more of what 21st century people would have done in 19th century England. Not necessarily what they would have done themselves.

However, both movies succeeded in bringing Austen's most vivid character Elizabeth to life. I applaud everyone who spent any time at all working on these films. You made me believe, so you have done your job.

Sonnets of Sensibility

Here are two sonnets which Marianne quotes in the movie Sense and Sensiblity. I found them intriguing, especially the one she associates with Willoughby. The first is spoken when Marianne goes to question Elinor about her feelings for Edward Ferrars. The second is Marianne and Willoughby's favorite sonnet and Marianne quotes when she stands on the hill overlooking his house.

Sonnet VII

By Hartley Coleridge

Is love a fancy, or a feeling? No.

It is immortal as immaculate Truth,

'Tis not a blossom shed as soon as youth,

Drops from the stem of life--for it will grow,

In barren regions, where no waters flow,

Nor rays of promise cheats the pensive gloom.

A darkling fire, faint hovering o'er a tomb,

That but itself and darkness nought doth show,

It is my love's being yet it cannot die,

Nor will it change, though all be changed beside;

Though fairest beauty be no longer fair,

Though vows be false, and faith itself deny,

Though sharp enjoyment be a suicide,

And hope a spectre in a ruin bare.

SONNET 116
Let me not to the marriage of true minds
Admit impediments. Love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove:
O no! it is an ever-fixed mark
That looks on tempests and is never shaken;
It is the star to every wandering bark,
Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken.
Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks
Within his bending sickle's compass come:
Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,
But bears it out even to the edge of doom.
If this be error and upon me proved,
I never writ, nor no man ever loved.