SCRIBBLE
November last year, compared to the same period in 2019. Her huge impact on literature is greatly recognised, such that the 245th anniversary of her birthday, celebrated last December. There is something delightfully clichéd about her writings, which adds to their comforting charm which has lasted beyond the novels’ own era. Austen’s novels are filled with tropes and stereotypes, which are rather predictable by nature. In almost all her novels, the plot revolves around two people realising it was quite literally written for them to be together; in several, the heroine becomes convinced that the man she loves is going to
most watched television show on both ITV and PBS, the 1995 Pride and Prejudice starring Colin Firth as the iconic Mr Darcy, which had 10 million people tuning in to watch the final episode, and also the 1981 TV adaptation of Brideshead Revisited, which won multiple awards, including best drama serial. However, it is clear to see that Bridgerton offers a different atmosphere to the characteristically more decorous and euphemistic one seen in the likes of Austen, being described by Vogue as
‘ a regency romp that seeks to redefine the genre itself’ ‘
What with its diverse cast and far saucier script, it is refreshing take on an otherwise formal type of novel. Yet, traditionalists like myself may still remain more partial to the originals, for Jane Austen has undoubtedly influenced all period pieces after her, her works acting as a template for various future novels.
marry someone else even if the reader knows b e t t e r.
Conventional Novels-of-Manners are often widely criticised for being ‘dull’ – though they are naturally interesting from a character point-of-view, due to the fact their sole premise relies on social interactions and relationships, in terms of plot, one must admit there is very little action involved. On one hand, while this isn’t ideal for those who love a fast-paced murder mystery for instance, it does allow for an easy, relaxed read. What with the larger amount of time on our hands now, along with rules restricting our regular routines, our lives too can seem dull at times. So, why not read a novel which can immerse one in this world of courtship and love, reminiscent of our own lives, with this newly granted time?
Emma, Released 2020 Photo: Amazon
It seems many others also felt the same way, for in the UK, Austen experienced a rise in sales of 20% between 15th June and the 7th
Take Emma, who only after realising her own feelings towards Mr Knightley, worries that he instead intends to marry her friend Harriet Smith, or Mr Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet, who exemplify the ‘enemies to lovers’ trope. Yet instead of making the story boring, the determinateness of the stories adds to their standing as ‘comfort films’, and in this tumultuous year this is especially reassuring; at a time when the future is so uncertain, there is solace to be found in endings one can guess easily. Then again, it is important to recognise that during her contemporary period of writing, her works were not viewed as commonplace. Novels at this time usually featured exaggerated characters and events and were highly sentimental or dramatic in tone. Austen’s focus on everyday life therefore marked a major development in the history of literature, and proves useful from also a historical context, by giving a detailed insight into the various mannerisms and rules adopted by the upper classes of Georgian society. Also, beforehand, novels were written in either first or third person, both of which had limitations: first person narratives allowed one to enter into the mind of a character, but only through what they wished to tell, whereas third person narratives gave the reader a god-like view
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