Dear Bono,
It was only a matter of time before this happened.
I was introduced to the BBC Pride and Prejudice slightly late. In high school, my best friend and I used to spent our Friday nights eating cheese fries and then watching movies at her house. Usually, we'd watch the Sound of Music. We'd usually fall asleep at some point after the "Somewhere in my youth" song (a must watch, obviously) and before Rolf blows the whistle. Eventually, we'd wake up and I'd walk home. This was after the phase of high school where my friends decided they hated each other and started breaking into small factions. I got over that drama and wisely decided to spend time with my best friend since 5th grade.
One evening, she casually mentioned the BBC Pride and Prejudice. Apparently she thought I had seen it. I had not. Despite the fact that we never had cable and usually we'd have PBS on in the house, I had missed this Masterpiece Theater. Additionally, my family didn't have a Costco membership, which is where everyone picked up the 6-tape VHS set. We therefore decided to forgo Georg Von Trapp for one night, and focus our energies on P&P. I dozed off during tape 2. Mr. Collins can be a little dull at times, and I have been known to fall asleep at random times, including in the operating room. While standing. The next day, I returned for more P&P. Then we went to volunteer at the Greek Festival, and then we came back and finished the rest. And it was amazing. Somehow I talked my mom into buying the tapes from someone who had a Costco membership, and I could watch it at home.
Over time, I have had viewing parties with my friends, college roommates, and even, finally, my husband. Jane Austen is a genius. This version is the most true to the book. In fact, I took Advanced Placement English Lit during high school. At the end of the year, we take a test that is graded 1-5, with 5 high. A passing score is 3 or more. There are a bunch of multiple choice questions about prose and diction and whatever, then a couple of essays featuring prompts related excerpts from works that are provided. But the main event is the essay based on only a short prompt. The writer has to take any previous work he/she has read, and use it to answer the essay. I remember my teacher telling us that no matter what the question was, she would use Huckleberry Finn, because she knew that book better than anything else. I went to take my test. The question is below (thanks Google for finding the exact question from 13 years ago):
"Many works of literature not readily identified with the mystery or detective story genre nonetheless involve the investigation of a mystery. In these works, the solution to the mystery may be less important than the knowledge gained in the process of its investigation. Choose a novel or play in which one or more of the characters confront a mystery. Then write an essay in which you identify the mystery and explain how the investigation illuminates the meaning of the work as a whole. Do not merely summarize the plot."
As I read that question, I realized I was in trouble. I could not think of a single book I had read. EVER. Thankfully, my dutiful P&P VHS watching got me through. And thankfully, the movie is so very faithful to the book, that my movie knowledge got me through the essay. I wrote about how Wickham is a mysterious character, and later we find out he's a bad guy. Etc, etc. And I got a 5. Phew. I might not have done so well if someone less attractive than Colin Firth had been cast as Mr. Darcy.
Bono, do you have any thoughts about Jane Austen? I really do think she is an excellent writer and has good social commentary.
Sincerely,
JP
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