Why the Author's Creations Are Still So Easy to Connect With
For every fan of Austen's work, the identities Lizzy, Jane, Kitty, and Lydia readily evoke the memorable Bennet sisters.
However, within an new adaptation which follows on the tale, attention turns to their middle Mary Bennet that steps into centre stage.
"One encountered her writing when I was a teenager growing up in the suburbs, assuming Austen couldn't possibly have anything relevant to me," remarks the screenwriter.
Upon reading Austen's novels, though, Quintrell was amazed at how connected she was with the literary figures. It felt as though one "was acquainted with all of them" in those 19th century novels, she says.
A Coming-of-Age Narrative
One actress, playing Jane, suggests that the character's story toward self-discovery remains deeply relevant in the modern era.
"It is utterly rewarding to watch her flourish and find her own identity," she adds, pointing out that such narratives are vitally valuable by young people trying to find their way in the world and social media.
Grace Hogg-Robinson, who plays sister Lydia, concurs, noting that the author's figures endure because people often discover them at pivotal times in their lives, such as when studying the novel as a student.
Human Connections & Sharp Observation
The performer who embodies Mary highlights that Austen's distinctive narrative voice offers incisive observations on society and avoids shoving a moral "down your throat".
A further view, from the actress playing Kitty Bennet, is that Austen was "incredibly forward-thinking" regarding her views on topics like "relationships and gender roles".
Hogg-Robinson adds that a current social media trend directly mirrors a central scene in Pride and Prejudice: the notion '{if he wanted to, he would'.
"Users was doing that [trend], and Austen understood it 250 prior," she clarifies.
The Reasons Austen's Universe Continues
For Quintrell, while hundreds of years have elapsed, "the characters portrayed really feel as if they haven't aged at all."
That, in her view, forms a key explanation that artists and writers continue to expand this universe.
Ultimately, it's about an call to all people to feel they can connect with these narratives. "Wherever you're from, you'll find something that resonates in these novels," Quintrell states.
