Modernizing Jane Austen : An investigation of the process of turning her novels into films

Abstract: For us to appreciate Austen's work it needs to be altered. We are only comfortable with it if it mirrors our expectations of it; the picturesque English countryside, elegant males and beautiful women in period clothing, living in impressive stone mansions. We want stories of strong, feminist ladies, who throw the men into raptures with their beauty and their ability to engage in passionate, snappy verbal exchanges. We want the held-back emotions, the intimacy of the near touch, the relief of liberating, emotionally charged confessions of admiration and love. The purpose of this essay is to examine two of Jane Austen's popular novels Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility with their respective latest film adaptations. When Jane Austen is interpreted in modern film her point-of-view is altered into our own. These changes celebrate, not Austen’s social writing, but our modern idea of romance. The themes in her novels are themes that are timeless and they are themes which our modern lives are filled with as well.