Older, None the Wiser
"Pride and Prejudice" is Jane Austen's most beloved novel. Everyone will call the Bennet Family a likeable brood, wishing they have a father like Mr. Bennet. He's bookish and irresponsible. Those who are unfamiliar with the social custom in Britain during the 19th century might think that this gentleman have been neglectful. It's not like that.
Mr. Bennet is the father of five daughters, who must be married off when they reach a certain age. It's the only way they are guaranteed a comfortable life. But the old chap isn't so worried. On the other hand, Mrs. Bennet is like any concerned mother who only wants the best for her children. It happens that Elizabeth Bennet, the second of their five children, is not like any other daughter. The book's early chapters reveal her headstrong nature, of how she is unaffected by the possibility that she would be single for the rest of her life. Not even a certain Mr. Darcy, whom she has an unfavorable impression during their first meeting, didn't change her belief. But there are some things that are beyond their control.
"Pride and Prejudice" has been a reference for many works, including a parody by Seth Grahame-Smith published five years ago. Imagine Netherfield Park swarming with zombies, with the Bennet sisters skilled in swordsmanship and martial arts. Austen wouldn't mind. Then there's Helen Fielding's own version.
Meet Bridget Jones
Some may find it hard to relate Lizzie Bennet to Bridget Jones. She's a thirtysomething woman living in London. She's still single. She has a surrogate family who gives her advice on true love. This is where the comparison ends. Bridget loves to drink and smoke. She isn't too mindful of her weight, which some see as the reason why she's less attractive to men. She also keeps a diary.
Fielding started to write about Bridget Jones in her column in Independent in 1995, lampooning women's obsession with women's magazines that offer lots of advice on career and love. The native of Morley, West Yorkshire began the novelization a year later. A film version was released in 2001, with Renée Zellweger playing the titular role. Readers couldn't get enough of her, so Fielding followed it up with "Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason" (1999). "Mad About the Boy", the third installment in the series, came out thirteen years later. Fans are disappointed that Mr. Darcy, Bridget's love of her life, is no longer around.
“With parenting now the bar is very high,” said Fielding.
“Especially when women have children later in life they are used to being successful at work, used to being able to control things. But guess what, you can’t control children."
“There’s almost this treating children like products, so they bounce from African drumming parties to fencing to flute to the computer."
“There isn’t that much emphasis on just loving them and being with them.”
It's hard to imagine Lizzie Bennet being a single parent, but the issues women are facing back then are not so different from today. A man's world, you say? Bridget may be prompted to write a long entry in her diary.
