Austen, Sanditon, and Pride and Prejudice

Using the words "Jane Austen" and "controversy" in the same sentence seems absurd, but now, with the airing of "Sanditon" on PBS's Masterpiece, the critics have risen with vengeance.  Die hard Austen fans appear to suffer greatly over the sex scenes... and oh-my-stars...the fact that many women in the series wear their hair down  Yet these pickers of nits have faithfully watched the entire series. 

The fact is that Jane Austen only wrote the first eleven chapters of Sanditon (a miserably awkward word to pronounce).  It is assumed that illness prevented her from completing the novel, yet several creatives have stepped in with imagined endings.  There's no denying many of Austen's favorite themes flow through the story.  Early on in the series, I set Jane Austen aside and watched this as a totally enjoyable Regency romance - flowing hair and all.

Years ago, I wrote a bookish column for the Herald Times Reporter.  Since I'm in a bit of a book slump right now, I thought I'd let you read that column again and perhaps you will pick up one of your favorite oldies to re-read while you wait for spring.

Here's the HTR piece.....

The copyright date is missing from my tattered copy of  Pride and Prejudice, but the crisp, yellowing pages, and netlike binding material tell me it‘s from the 1920’s.  Another clue to its age is whispered in the prices advertised on the final pages.   “Men, Women, and Emotions,” for example - “A skillful analysis of social habits, customs and follies.   Full of helpful admonition, sure to assist in smoothing rough ways of life...” - sold for fifty cents.  The deluxe edition with dark brown cloth cover was $1.00. 

            Stamped inside of this small piece of history, I found “Men’s and Boys’ Fine Clothing, Schuette Bro’s Co., Manitowoc, Wis.  Can’t you just imagine a conscientious Schuette employee placing this book ever so gently upon a formal occasional table?  How many women, I wonder, were whisked away to Georgian England by Austen’s sweeping story arcs and rapier wit while waiting for her son to be measured for his first adult suit.

            This bit of civility greeting local shoppers surely has roots in a time when life was slower, quieter and, to use one of Jane Austen’s favored words – genteel.  Perhaps that is one reason readers have an on-going love affair with Austen.  First impressions may be that Jane Austen, the spinster who published anonymously to avoid the tongue wagging, frequently directed at women writers the 1800’s, authored love stories.  And, indeed she did.  But, wrapped in her romances were stories of class structure, competition, and the feisty struggle between desire and propriety.       

            Yes, her plots seem formulaic, and could be reduced to a lonely-hearts ad – young woman of meager means seeks male suitor of substance in hopes of building a secure future.  Still, Austen’s plots have captivated generations.  In the Lizzy-Darcy storyline, Austen’s rubato rhythm mimics the tide’s ebb and flow.   Lizzy approaches. Darcy retreats.  Darcy regrets his words.  He approaches Lizzie.  Lizzie retreats...until...well, you get the picture!

             Lizzy Bennett is no blushing flower as one might expect from a novel set in 1797.  In fact, she is quite the opposite -  fiery, witty, and determined to be Darcy’s equal, not his subordinate. 

             Readers have voted Fitzwilliam Darcy, the quintessential love interest, one of ten most dateable fictional characters.  His brooding nature smoldering with hints of mystery and danger has become the archetype for  apparently unattainable men including Rhett Butler and Mr. Big of “Sex and the City” fame.  

            Classic and classy, Austen’s works turn up in forms both amusing, and horrifying.  Bridget Jones’ Diary is a contemporary movie version of P&P, coincidentally starring Colin Firth who played Darcy in a true to text A&E mini-series.  The freshest entry into the Austen-like offerings comes from Seth Grahame-Smith who mashes Austen’s text with strange zombie violence.  The first in his series, Pride and Prejudice & Zombies, finds Mr. Bennet instructing his five daughters in martial arts.  It’s a good thing, too.  At the grand Pemberley ball, the girls step up to defend party goes against a zombie attack! 

            Bollywood director Guider Chatham gave us a musical extravaganza titled “Bride and Prejudice,” starring former Miss World Aishwarya Rai Bachcan as Elizabeth Bennet.  Bits of Hindi and Punjabi dialogue will not hamper the enjoyment of dedicated Janeites. 

            Can’t get enough?  Join the Jane Austen Society of North America, or simply check out their website at jasna.org.  You will find a lengthy list of Austen inspired books and movies and as an added bonus you can buy your Austen earrings, bumper stickers, tote bags.