Words Per Mile

Happy 250th birthday, Jane Austen!

In 1813, Austen published her most famous novel anonymously, due to contemporary prejudice against female writers. It’s sad that Austen, who died just four years later at the age of 41, was unable to receive credit for the work in her lifetime.

Since then, it’s been adapted to stage, screen, and YouTube. There have been a host of unofficial spinoffs and sequel (including Pride and Prejudice and Zombies), and a number of modern authors, such as Helen Fielding, have claimed to be heavily inspired by it. (Fun fact, Colin Firth has appeared in adaptations of both Pride and Prejudice and Bridget Jones’ Diary!)

What gives a 19th-century comedy of manners such resonance over two centuries later? The dialogue, for one.

“I cannot fix on the hour, or the spot, or the look or the words, which laid the foundation. It is too long ago. I was in the middle before I knew that I had begun.”

Mr. Darcy

“Do not consider me now as an elegant female, intending to play you, but as a rational creature, speaking the truth from her heart.”

Elizabeth Bennett

“Mr. Bennet, how can you abuse your own children in such a way? You take delight in vexing me. You have no compassion for my poor nerves.”

“You mistake me, my dear. I have a high respect for your nerves. They are my old friends. I have heard you mention them with consideration these last twenty years at least.”

Mrs. and Mr. Bennett

“What are men to rocks and mountains?”

Elizabeth Bennett

The characters, all a fully fleshed portrait, made increasingly memorable by the various actors who have played them over the years. But in the end, I think it’s the thing that Pride and Prejudice does better than many other romances:

It’s a love story in which both leads, in response to meeting, change for the better.

A lot of romance stories are about learning to accept the other person and resolving misunderstandings, both of which are satisfying to read about and important in real life. But in Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy are humbled by each other, and improve themselves for the better as a direct result.

Angst! Romantic tension! Positive character growth! Earning your happy ending!

Of course we all wish there could be a sequel to the book–many have tried to write one. But really, what I want for these characters is a happy, monotonous life, where they can enjoy each other’s company and the results of the changes they’ve gone through together.