Worldview theatre at my house on Wednesday night at 6 PM. The film of the week : Pride and Prejudice.
Why the resurgence in popularity for Jane Austen novels (as measured by TV and film adaptations)? Is it nostalgia for romanticism? Or is it longing for manners and courtesy in an age of culture wars? Does Austen write from a Christian worldview? Those are a few of the questions we will kick around.
Worldview discussion following the film. Popcorn provided. See you there.
Has there really been a resurgence in popularity of Jane Austen novels? My impression was that her novels have been perennial favorites since they were first published.
Enjoy the film. After watching the recent big screen version, I went back to the book and was pleased to see that a lot of Mr. Bennet's dry humor was taken from the novel verbatim.
Posted by: Nick | August 01, 2006 at 12:16
Uh ... you're getting together to watch a girl movie? Are you baking quiche for the occasion?
Posted by: dopderbeck | August 01, 2006 at 14:59
Jeff:
Why the resurgence in popularity for Jane Austen novels?
Because unlike even a couple of decades ago, women now have money and influence.
David:
You sexist pig! How dare you beat me to that joke? :)
Posted by: tgirsch | August 01, 2006 at 15:21
Go ahead. Take your best shots.
Next week is The Matrix. ;)
Posted by: Mr. Dawntreader | August 01, 2006 at 15:43
Go ahead. Take your best shots
Yeah, I'll bet you hit off the ladies' tees too.
Posted by: dopderbeck | August 01, 2006 at 15:56
And I leave all my putts well short.
Posted by: Mr. Dawntreader | August 01, 2006 at 16:13
Next week is The Matrix. ;)
Hmmm, Keira Knightley or Carrie-Ann Moss. From a purely aesthetic point of view, I prefer to gaze at Keira Knightley, but the Matrix has more guns and tighter costumes. Split the difference and go with Kate Beckinsale in Underworld
Because unlike even a couple of decades ago, women now have money and influence.
I'm clearly being humorless by posting this, but...
Film adaptations of Pride and Prejudice (from IMDB.com)
1938
1940
1952
1967
1980
1995
2005
Resurgence schmesurgence. It looks to me as though the latest version is right on schedule. Emma has a similar number of film versions, FWIW.
Posted by: Nick | August 01, 2006 at 16:15
http://www.bethinking.org/resource.php?ID=43
Where you will find ...
"Why the growing popularity of Jane Austen? Is it accidental, a typical postmodern temporary fad, or is there some deeper reason for the recent films of Jane Austen's novels?
In fact, there has been a growing interest over the past 20-25 years. The BBC produced Pride and Prejudice back in the late 70's for television in a dozen or so half-hour episodes.
Then, in the 80's came television versions of Sense and Sensibility and Mansfield Park, and a film of Northanger Abbey.
In the early 90’s the BBC also produced Persuasion for television, a shortened version of this being released as a successful movie.
Then a new BBC version of Pride and Prejudice was aired on television in the UK in the 90’s, and in the USA, and in many other countries.
Around the same time Sense and Sensibility was released as a film–and also Clueless, a very loose adaptation of Emma set in a Beverly Hills High School.
Then two other films of Emma in the movie pipeline and these are due for release later this year.
Sense and Sensibilitywas the most widely seen movie, setting off such large sales of the book that it was in the New York Times top ten fiction list for several months (along with the latest offerings of John Grisham and Tom Clancy) reaching as high as no. 5."
Dr Jerram Barrs
Posted by: Mr. Dawntreader | August 01, 2006 at 16:26
Jeff,
I commend you for choosing this for a movie night. I believe I mentioned that this was the funniest movie that I watched in 2005. The dry humor is perfect and the acting is a wonderful step above the average talent that we see in most movies.
I wish I could be down there for the viewing.
Don't worry about David or Tom's comments. You are just demonstrating how secure you are in your masculinity. All men would be well served to watch Pride and Prejudice.
Posted by: B.A. | August 02, 2006 at 09:32
You are just demonstrating how secure you are in your masculinity.
That's right. That's also why Jeff feels comfortable wearing a dress around the house. :-b
Posted by: dopderbeck | August 02, 2006 at 09:55
Jeff,
That's an interesting essay. It's not clear when it was written, but I'm guessing around 1995, despite the copyright 2004, given his mention of two versions of Emma "due for release later this year."
Anyway, I think he has some very good points, but I would apply them to the question of Austen's long term popularity. To some extent, Barrs seems to be cherrypicking his data to create the impression of a dramatic increase in popularity in the past 25 years (1970-1995). As I indicated above, film adaptations of Emma and Pride and Prejudice have been made at regular intervals since the 1930s. If there has been a recent uptick in popularity, I'm not sure to what degree that is due to Hollywood bandwagon syndrome. Barr's comments about sales of Sense and Sensibility books after the most recent film adaptation suggest that some of it may be the standard media feeding frenzy. Similarly, I can recall book shelves stocked with beautiful new editions of The Age of Innocence when Wharton's novel was last adapted.
I think what's more interesting is the enduring popularity of her books over the past 200 years, despite drastic changes in society and overall worldview. That probably can't be attributed to culture wars, postmodernism, or nostalgia, but Barr's comments about the quality of Austen's writing and her vivid characters are relevant.
As B.A. said, the movie is very funny, but you have to pay close attention. It ain't slapstick. The 1995 BBC version is also very good, and I also enjoyed the 1996 version of Emma with Gwyneth Paltrow.
But, to avoid making this an Austen love fest, I'll close with a quote from Mark Twain:
"Jane Austen? Why I go so far as to say that any library is a good library that does not contain a volume by Jane Austen. Even if it contains no other book."
Posted by: Nick | August 02, 2006 at 12:18
In reply to Twain's comment Austen would have likely replied with this quote:
"I do not want people to be agreeable, as it saves me the trouble of liking them." - Jane Austen
Posted by: B.A. | August 02, 2006 at 14:30
Jeff,
I would recommend reading the first chapter of Pride and Prejudice to the group before the film begins. For those who have read Austen it will be a pleasant reminder and for those who haven't read Austen it will serve as an excellent introduction.
Best wishes on this Worldview Movie Night!
Posted by: B.A. | August 02, 2006 at 14:41
I would recommend reading the first chapter of Pride and Prejudice to the group before the film begins.
And then you can talk about whether Mr. Darcy seems hunkier on paper or on the screen, as you sip tea and knit.
Posted by: dopderbeck | August 03, 2006 at 09:23
Will they have scones with that tea? I really like scones. ;-)
Posted by: B.A. | August 03, 2006 at 09:45
No scones. But it did turn into a "popcorn pigfest" Brian. You were missed.
The post movie discussion was actually quite good and drilled much deeper than Darcy's dreamy looks.
Austen's Christian worldview emerges nicely in the story. I used to think P&P was a love story. Now I see it as an indictment against class warfare and inequality.
There is an egalitarian theme that runs through the entire flick. The rich people are proud and greedy. The poor people are proud and greedy. Everyone is fallen.
Redemption is found through repentance and humility.
Those are nice themes.
I also thought the film originally taught salvation by marriage. I now see that Austen was doing a smack down on that worldview.
Posted by: Mr. Dawntreader | August 03, 2006 at 09:56
I thought that the discussion didn't ruin the movie, which is what I was afraid of. We had some good points, too. Overall, a good meeting (and I love popcorn!)
Posted by: Rachael | August 03, 2006 at 11:09
Hey it's Matt C. I hope to be there for the Matrix. I'ts gonna be really busy the rest of the summer and I'll probably be in NC til school starts.
Posted by: Matt | August 03, 2006 at 20:47
I used to think P&P was a love story. Now I see it as an indictment against class warfare and inequality.
Oh, man! Someone get this guy a beer and a football game, STAT!
Posted by: tgirsch | August 03, 2006 at 22:10
WOW!!! Look at all the fun I missed out on!
I am an unashamed fan of P&P!!! It is one of the best films I have seen in a very long time. Not only is the story line obviously fantastic, but the casting was unbeatable. My wife and I have watched it no fewer than 5 times and will watch it again. And yes...we've also watched the British mini-series put our a decade ago.
Do you want more proof that I am hugely "up" on this film. READ THE MOVIE REVIEW I WROTE A WHILE AGO!
Posted by: Danny Kaye | August 04, 2006 at 14:28
Jeff, thanks very much for the suggested use of Pride and Prejudice. Now I have a reason to watch it, a result I'm sure my wife will appreciate.
Posted by: zwilson | August 05, 2006 at 10:03