Sunday Nights With Miss Austen

For the past month and a half, I’ve been looking forward to Sunday nights. At 9pm on PBS, Masterpiece Theater presents The Complete Jane Austen . Last Sunday I watched the final installment of the wonderful BBC version of Pride and Prejudice. In addition to this feature, the collection includes five new adaptations of Jane Austen’s novels along with a biopic of her life.

I can’t pinpoint exactly what it is about these stories that mesmerizes me. I am definitely entranced by the costumes, daily rituals, and lovely scenery. As I watch I reflect upon all of the progress women have made since that time period. I am relieved that getting married or becoming a governess are no longer the only options for a “respectable” woman. I’m also glad that one mistake can’t ruin one’s entire reputation.

Yet I am also struck by the things that have stayed the same. Beauty, youth and wealth are still prized more than other qualities in our society. Jane Austen’s characters often lack some of these prized qualities, and many modern women can empathize with their struggle to succeed in society.

However, Jane Austen’s stories are also uplifting. Often the poor, clever woman finds unexpected happiness or the woman who has made a mistake reinvents herself and is given a second chance. Repeatedly, Austen’s characters succeed against all odds.

My only criticism of the new PBS adaptations is that they are a little too short (my husband would probably argue otherwise). Two features remain to be shown: Emma (March 23rd) and Sense & Sensibility (March 30th & April 3rd). I hope others will look forward to them as much as I am.

-Amanda