Your assignment for the movie is to pay attention for any discrepancies, any place where the movie’s story diverges from the book’s story. Find at least five discrepancies and choose one to analyze (in a well-written paragraph). Why do you think the screenwriter/director chose to make a change? What did it add or take away from the story as it exists in the book?
Pride and Prejudice movie
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Discrepancies:
1. In the movie, Elizabeth attempts to talk to Darcy and asks him if he would like to dance but, he refuses to. In the book Elizabeth approaches to Darcy and Sir William talking but in the movie Darcy was barely with Sir William.(Pg 17) It seems as if Elizabeth is more outgoing in the movie and shy in the book.
2. In the movie, Miss Bingley and Elizabeth seemed to get along because in the movie they were walking around the room together holding hands and telling jokes about Darcy. But in the book it says that Miss Bingley is uncivil towards Elizabeth. (Pg 40) Also during the scene there was no Mr or Mrs. Hurst in the movie.
3. In the book Austen mentions that Darcy and Mrs.Bennet are sitting across from each other and she is speaking loudly. Elizabeth tells her to speak quieter because others can hear her, but she says that she is not afraid of Mr.Darcy.(Pg 69) In the movie, Mrs.Bennet and Darcy do not sit across from each other. Instead Darcy walks past Mrs.Bennet while she is speaking loudly to her friends.
4. In the movie, it shows Mary crying after Mr.Bennet embarrassed her and then Mr.Bennet goes and comfort her. In the book, it was not mentioned anywhere that Mr.Bennet is sorry for his actions at all. (Pg 70)I guess the book shows how Mr.Bennet is more of a man since he doesn’t regret his actions.
5. In the book it says that Darcy rings the door bell and enters the parsonage to speak to Elizabeth. She reveals her views towards him about Wickham and then about Mr.Bingley’s separation with Jane. (Pg128) The setting was inside the parsonage but in the movie they were outside in the rain at a tower speaking to each other.
I guess the reason for the change in weather is to make the scene more dramatic and intense. Also maybe it was filmed in a rainy weather to demonstrate that something bad was going to happen. In the scene, Mr.Darcy tries to propose to Elizabeth but she refuses because he sabotaged Jane’s marriage with Bingley. Adding the new setting to the scene made the scene more interesting and intense since most of the time with rainy weathers it adds a certain mood that something big might happen. The scene was the climax when Bingley figures out why Elizabeth acts the way she does towards him. Then everything starts to change from there on since he write to her the letter about all the truth.
1. In the beginning of the movie Elizabeth is walking around the garden reading a book and enters her home when Mrs. Bennet announces the news of Mr. Bingley. However, in the novel the Bennet family was having breakfast when Mrs. Bennet speaks of Mr. Bingley and request her husband to make an acquaintance with Bingley. I think the director decided to show Elizabeth in the garden reading to show her intelligence and how different and distant she is to her mother and younger sisters.
2. In the movie Mr. Wickham reveals his past with Mr. Darcy to Elizabeth in a garden; whereas, in the novel Wickham tells Elizabeth about his past with Darcy at a ball that Darcy had not attended. The director probably decided to make that scene short and quick to save up some time for the rest of the movie.
3. In the movie Ms. Bingley and Elizabeth seemingly get along. Ms. Bingley also doesn’t seem to be romantically interested in Mr. Darcy. Yet, in the novel, Ms. Bingley is reportedly uncivil towards Elizabeth and is in fact romantically interested in Darcy. I believe the director choose to make Ms. Bingley and Elizabeth friends so that the audience would be shocked when the Bingley family left Netherfield. I also think that the director wanted to create some suspense when the audience discovered Darcy was supposedly marrying Lady Catherine’s daughter, by leaving out Ms. Bingley’s romantic interest in Darcy.
4. In the movie Mr. Darcy’s behavior doesn’t suggested that he has a lot of pride, but that he is quite and shy. However, in the novel Mr. Darcy’s pride is overbearing. I think the director decided to make Darcy appear more innocent and kind to make the audience like him and pity him because of Elizabeth’s attitude towards him.
5. Finally, in the movie Mr. Darcy makes his first grand proposal to Elizabeth outside in the rain, but in the novel he proposes to Elizabeth in the Collins parchment. I think the director choose to move the proposal outside and rain to show that something bad was going to happen–Elizabeth’s rejection and fight with Darcy.
1. The first discrepancy that I noticed between the book and the movie was the facts that the character triangle between Wickham, Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth is not developed. The movie cuts out certain scenes involving the three of them which leaves the audience clueless in some aspects of what has happen to the three to cause such turmoil. I think the director chose to make this change because unlike in a book a movie only has a limited time space to portray the story so, they cannot go into in depth detail with story line’s.
2. The second discrepancy between the movie and the book is that most of the scenes take place in the estates rather than the gardens. The gardens are so vividly described in the book when events take place and in the movie when scenes such as Elizabeth and Darcy conversing all of this takes place inside the homes on the estates.
3.The third discrepancy I noticed was the relationship between Elizabeth and her mom. In the book they make it seem as if Elizabeth and her mother Mrs. Bennet despise each other with a passion but in the movie the director portrayed their relationship as more of a playful one. As if Elizabeth took her mother’s clueless nature just to make fun of her intelligence.
4. The fourth discrepancy is that in the book Elizabeth is not a very good pianist so, much that she refuses to play for the distinguished Lady Catherine but in the movie Mr. Darcy’s sister wants to perform a duet with Elizabeth.
5. The fifth discrepancy is that in the movie Elizabeth is breathtakingly beautiful but in the book she is described as average and Jane is the aesthetically pleasing sister. But in the movie Jane is the basic girl while the men pursue Elizabeth.
Although the novel and movie, Pride and Prejudice are two of a kind, they both differ in many ways. From the directors choice to change the positioning/setting of characters, and the amount of emotion that they express compared to the novel. One scene that truly stood out was the director’s decision to change where Elizabeth rejects Mr. Darcy in the end. Not only that but the environment in which she does it as well. For instance, in the novel Elizabeth and Darcy are in Mr. Collins home and she doesn’t truly give off such a dramatic feel; however the movie differs. In the movie Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy are standing in the pouring rain as Elizabeth says no to Mr. Darcy’s proposal. This then gave off more of a dramatic and questioning response by the viewers. For example, I was puzzled that she could reject him in such a way and hide her feelings towards him. The director’s choice of the setting was better because it is more dramatic and it makes us as viewers gasp in confusion. The director set up a scene that in many eyes would be romantic and beautiful. He then chose to turn it into a devastating scene where we as viewers can see Mr. Darcy’s rejection as a tragic moment. The movie truly gives the novel life and the director did a fantastic job at keeping the views interested. Not only that but it allows those who have read the novel to see why Elizabeth made certain decisions and feel her strong love for Mr. Darcy.
Before I begin to pick at the minor details of the changes, I must say that the film was far too short for two hours and change! As for the other details:
1. In the movie Lydia is the one who tells Liz about how Darcy was at the wedding and that he paid for it. In the book, Lydia let it slip that Darcy attended but did not comment further, forcing Elizabeth to write to her Aunt begging for more information.
2. Also, when Mr. Darcy arrived before Elizabeth, in the room she was staying, to give her the letter that would question her prejudice against him, he did so on the same day and in the night, but in the movie he presented her this letter during the daytime and while she was out on her walk.
3. In the movie, Darcy is present when Liz dines at Rosings with the Collin’s , whereas in the book he is not.
4. Elizabeth’s Aunt and Uncle have no children in the movie. In the book, they do.
5. At Netherfield, Bingley has another sister who is there with her husband, along with Caroline and Darcy. However in the movie it is just Bingley, Caroline, and Darcy.
The most discernible discrepancy occurred in the scene where Mr. Darcy revealed his true feelings for Elizabeth. In the book, this climax took place in Collin’s abode, whereas, in the movie this scene took place, not only outside, but in the rain! This does not change the importance of the scene, because in the book the reader understands this is a climax point, however, the rain adds a hollywood effect that leaves the viewer with a genuine smile. The director did this for this purpose, the rain supports the contrast in emotion from Darcy and Elizabeth, and also adds to the disbelief from both characters (Elizabeth in disbelief because she cannot believe Darcy is genuine with his confession, and Darcy because he did not foresee the reasons for Elizabeths rejection). The movie has many changes from the book, that it can stand as it’s own project, nevertheless, it seems that the director believed the viewer to have already read the novel and made the discrepancies so visible that the viewer could catch it. All in all, I think this movie was great, even if Keira Knightly was too beautiful to play Elizabeth.
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1. Elizabeth confesses to Jane that she is happy to leave Netherfield. Elizabeth doesn’t say this in the book, even though it’s implied.
2.Liz learns about Charlotte’s engagement from Kitty and Lydia. Elizabeth goes to Charlotte’s house, where Charlotte explains her decision. In the book, Charlotte calls on Elizabeth and informs her
3.Wickham, with Liz, brings up the topic of Collins’ proposal. He doesn’t mention it in the book.
4.The entire family comes out to welcome Wickham and Lydia, in the book they were in the breakfast room.
5. When Elizabeth is having dinner at Rosings with the Collin’s, Darcy is there too. In the book, he is not present.
I am writing about number 1. I think the director or scriptwriter added this line to the movie because it was to show the embarrassment Liz had for her family. Also it shows that she is relieved to be away from Miss Bingley, who always found her as competition. In chapter 8 the Bingley sisters harshly criticize her pride and stubborn independence for having walked to Netherfield alone. They continuously thought out the unintended stay made Liz feel unwanted. Then when Elizabeth asks that her mother be summoned, Mrs. Bennet refuses to send a carriage or come, yet expresses extreme rudeness towards Darcy. The director wanted to show the torn Elizabeth. She loves her family but is embarrassed by her mother’s trickery. This line added the mood, and establishes the characteristic of the family.
1.In the book Wickham tells Elizabeth about his feud with Darcy at the ball, while Darcy’s not there. But in the movie he reveals to her their past in the garden, this definitely was a noticeable change.
2.In the book Darcy is presented as containing un-bearing cocky attitude that no one is found of, but in the movie he’s more shy and timid than anything else.
3. Probably on of the biggest discrepancies throughout the film has to be the casting. In the novel Elizabeth is described as an average looking girl, and not found to be beautiful at all. Ironically, in the movie Elizabeth is even more beautiful than her sister Jane who’s supposed to be the prettiest of the sisters.
4. Another discrepancy occurs in the scene when Lydia informs Elizabeth that Darcy paid for and attended the wedding. In the book that didn’t happened Lydia never told her anything and as a result Elizabeth asked her Aunt through a letter for more insight.
5. Last but not least, arguably the climax of the story is placed outside in the rain under a gazebo, and that’s the scene where Darcy expresses his love for Elizabeth. But in the book he does it in Collin’s parchment. Although this didn’t fit the script of the novel it really was a success as afar as emotional placement because it helped solidify Darcy’s rejection and his ultimate feeling of sadness and resentment. Overall, I think it was a good change because the setting helped establish the mood.
1.In the book, when Elizabeth goes to Netherfield to see Jane, she is received by Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst, Bingleys’ sisters, whereas, in the film there isn’t a Mrs. Hurst at all. “She was received, however, very politely by them; and in their brother’s manners there was something better than politeness. . . .” (22)
2.After Elizabeth is proposed to by Mr. Collins, her father tells her that he shall never speak to her if she does marry him inside their library contrary to the film where this scene took place outdoors. “She would not give him time to reply, but hurrying instantly to her husband, called out as she entered the library. . . .” (76)
3. Unlike the film where Elizabeth finds out Darcy is at Pemberly by spying on his sister, she actually comes across him when she goes for a walk with her Aunt and Uncle. “. . . . Elizabeth turned back to look again; her uncle and aunt stopped also, and while the former was conjecturing as to the date of the building, the owner of it himself suddenly came forward from the road. . . .” (167)
4.In the film, when Lydia returns home as Mrs. Wickham she tells Elizabeth all the details of how Darcy is the one that paid Wickham and took care of the wedding. However, in the book, Lydia only lets it slip that Darcy was there, and Elizabeth writes to her aunt and her aunt is the one who spills the beans. “. . . . as she finished the letter, ‘and my dear aunt, if you do not tell me in an honourable manner, I shall certainly be reduced to tricks and stratagems to find out.’” (214)
5.After Mr. Bingley and Jane are engaged, Lady Catherine confronts Lizzie on a walk in the book. Whereas, in the movie Lady Catherine argues with her in the Bennet’s living room. “‘Miss Bennet, there seemed to be a prettyish kind of a little wilderness on one side of your lawn. I should be glad to take a turn in it, if you will favour me with your company.’” (237)
I think the screenwriter/director choose badly when changing the scene where, Elizabeth’s father tells her he’d never talk to her ever again if she marries Mr. Collins. In the film, the scene was taken outside. I think it took away from the overall feeling of that scene. When Elizabeth is in the library, it’s like she’s trapped having nowhere to go and her father is the only one that can set her free. By having her outside, she is given a wide open space where she can choose to run away if she wants to. There are so many emotions building up in that scene and by having them contained in such a small setting it gives the air where whatever her father says will either relieve that tension or let it explode.
1. In the movie Elizabeth eats dinner at the Rosings with the Collin’s and Darcy, but in the book Darcy isn’t there.
2. In the movie Mr. Wickham tells Elizabeth his past with Mr. Darcy in a garden but, in the book Wickham tells Elizabeth about his past with Mr. darcy at a ball because Darcy didn’t attend it.
3. In the movie Lydia tells Elizabeth that Darcy paid for th wedding and attended it. In the book, Lydia accedienly said that Darcy went to the wedding but she did not continue talking about it, which led Elizabeth to write to her aunt for the rest of the details about Darcy and the wedding.
4. In the book, Darcy demonstarates his love for Elizabeth in Collins parchmentof the story; however, in the movie Darcy shows his love is outside in the rain.
5. Surprisingly, in the movie Elizabeth was very beautiful out of all her sisters, but she was “average” in the book and her sister, Jane, was the prettiest.
1) One difference between the novel and the movie is when Mr. Wickham tells Elizabeth about his past while Darcy is there whereas in the book Wickham tells Elizabeth about his past at the ball, and Darcy isn’t there.
2) Second, the relationship between Elizabeth, Darcy and Wickham is not completely told, which leaves the viewer missing important parts and therefore the audience doesn’t learn the whole story which may leave them somewhat confused with questions. The reason this is done is because of the time limit. Honestly, two hours or so isn’t enough time to explain everything which is why it was shorted so I feel it’s better to read the book than watch the movie plus one may like the book better.
3) The novel makes Darcy seem meaner and a heartless guy compared to the movie where he seems more shy and quiet, even though some times he may say something. The gentlemen playing Darcy takes away the horrible feelings that the audience is immediately supposed to have for him.
4) Another difference is in the novel Lydia tells Elizabeth about how Darcy pays for the weeding and helped them out while in the novel Lydia only tells Elizabeth how Darcy was there and Elizabeth must find out the rest by writing to her relatives.
5) Last, when Darcy proposes to Elizabeth for the first time, it takes place in the rain while in the novel it takes place in Mr. Collin’s home.