A Vista of Emotion: The Romantic Landscape in Pride and Prejudice

Abstract

With Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen probably wrote one of the greatest known love stories. While it has sparked numerous adaptations, the 2005 film by Joe Wright perhaps adhered most closely to its Romantic qualities. Many of its pivotal scenes were set inside by the author. The film version locates them in the English countryside, dramatically altering the ambience of the moment. In doing so, it could be argued that Wright's adaptation utilises the aesthetics of the Romantic landscape in Pride & Prejudice to strengthen the audience’s sentiments of Elizabeth and Darcy’s relationship.Edmund Burke wrote about these aesthetics, and his work serves as a guide in analysing three scenes which display emtional qualities attributed to the landscape.