Appropriations of Jane Austen’s "Pride and Prejudice" in contemporary British fiction

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• 1. Introduction
  • 1.1 Preliminary Remarks and Elementary Presumptions
  • 1.2 Pride and Prejudice in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Century
• 2. Literary Status Quo
• 3. Structure, Style and Narrative Technique
• 4. Selected Characters and Their Relationships
  • 4.1 Love and Respect
  • 4.2 Decency and Tediousness
  • 4.3 Convenience and Obligation
  • 4.4 Resignation and Indifference
  • 4.5 Imprudence and Mischief
• 5. Under Pressure: The Significance of Status
• 6. Conclusion

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This paper aims to analyze three contemporary British fiction works that appropriate elements of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. The analysis focuses on the transformation of the original novel’s themes and characters in these adaptations and their reception within the context of contemporary literature.

• The adaptation of classic literary themes in contemporary British fiction.
• The role of gender and societal norms in shaping the protagonists’ relationships.
• The influence of Jane Austen’s literary legacy on modern writers.
• The interplay of status, social class, and individual ambition in the narratives.
• The use of humor and satire to critique social conventions.

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

The first chapter introduces the concept of "discursivity" and how Jane Austen's work has inspired a wide range of literary adaptations. It also sets the stage for the analysis by outlining the core themes and narrative structure of Pride and Prejudice, as well as the key characteristics of the three contemporary novels chosen for examination.

The second chapter focuses on the literary status quo, exploring the reception of Austen's work in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries and the context for contemporary adaptations.

The third chapter examines the structural, stylistic, and narrative techniques employed by Austen and the three contemporary authors. It explores how they use literary devices to create specific effects and engage the reader.

The fourth chapter provides a detailed analysis of key characters and their relationships, focusing on how Austen's original characters and their relationships are transformed in the contemporary adaptations.

The fifth chapter delves into the significance of status and social class in the narratives, exploring how these concepts contribute to the characters' decisions and the unfolding of the plot.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The main keywords and focus topics include Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice, contemporary British fiction, adaptation, gender, social norms, literary legacy, status, social class, humor, satire, and the contemporary adaptations of Pride and Prejudice: Lions and Liquorice, Bridget Jones's Diary, and Pride, Prejudice and Jasmin Field.