Is Bridget jones nothing more than Pride and Prejudice in modern dress?

Love and marriage is the theme of the best selling book Bridget Jones’ Diary by Helen Fielding and the critically acclaimed novel Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. There are numerous similarities between the two yet they are set in different eras. Despite this, the young women in both texts have to deal with family and people in their social circles pressurising them to meet the ideal man or love interest.

Each story revolves around the main female characters, Bridget Jones and Elizabeth Bennet. In pride prejudice, the financial status of the women was more of an issue when it came to finding an ideal partner, than it was in Bridget Jones’ Diary. The Bennets were not very financially secure, so Mrs Bennet would arrange or attend parties with her girls that had lots of rich men simultaneously attending, hoping one of them would fall in love and find a husband.

Alike to this, Bridget’s mother would also take her to parties or gatherings where suitable, single men would be lurking, although Bridget’s mother did not impose rich men on her as much as Mrs Bennet did on her girls. Bridget’s mum was more concerned about the thought of her daughter’s biological clock ticking away, and finding her a respectable man before it was too late. “ You career girls, can’t put it off forever you know, tick tock.” This shows that pride and prejudice is nothing more than Bridget Jones’ Diary in modern dress as the issues with not being able to find a suitable husband, and having the family intervene in the search are still very apparent.

Both Elizabeth and Bridget feel obliged to find a man as most of their peers surrounding them are settling down and getting married. This is an expectation put on them by society, as only once part of a couple, women are thought of as complete or entirely happy. In Bridget's Jones’ Diary, Bridget's inability to find a man or settle down, often pops up as a common conversation subject with friends or family. “Hi Bridget, how’s your love life?” And “so, Bridget, why is it you career girls can’t hold down a decent man?” Bridget often puts off answering the question, with a quick, witty reply. “Well I suppose it doesn’t help that beneath our clothes we’re covered in scales!”

In pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth’s younger sister Lydia runs away with her love interest Mr Wickham. The couple were frowned upon, as the idea of pre-marital sex brought sh...

... middle of paper ...

...Mark Darcy and Mr Darcy are too proud to approach the women and fear rejection. The men also feel slightly pressured to conform to the traditional male roles by looking after the women they love. Examples of this are when Mr Darcy pays off Wickham for the Bennets, and when Mark lets Bridget have an exclusive interview to save her getting the sack from her job.

Love and marriage and the status of women in society has not changed dramatically from a male perspective as women are still expected to dress appropriately and have correct language in order to impress the opposite sex. However, in comparison to a 20th century text, the women nowadays and in Bridget Jones’ Diary have a higher opinion of themselves and feel they still have to work as well as have a love interest, mainly for the self satisfaction, and sense of achievement.

In conclusion, Bridget Jones’ Diary is nothing more than Pride and Prejudice in modern dress as the women are still looking for the traditional love, to be swept off of their feet by a man, be looked after and live happily ever after regardless of whether having a colossal amount of money as both Elizabeth and Bridget proved.