The Development of the Feminist Movement in Pride and Prejudice Adaptations

Abstract

This thesis argues that Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen has feminist aspects that are not always seen in adaptations of the novel. It explores if Austen’s novel has feminist aspects and looks if a development of the feminist movement can be shown in three visual adaptations. To determine this development the adaptations will be linked to the feminist wave of their respective times. In this way Pride and Prejudice (1940) by Robert Leonard is linked to the first feminist wave. Joe Wright’s 2005 film associated with the third feminist wave. Whereas The Lizzie Bennet Diaries is tied to the fourth feminist wave. This thesis results in understanding that the development of the feminist movement is not always shown in the adaptations. Although Austen’s novel shows evidence of Enlightenment feminism, only The Lizzie Bennet Diaries shows an intentional connection to the fourth wave feminism. The 1940 and 2005 films show less to no association to their feminist waves because the subject of feminism was not intended for their audiences.