Accomplished or Pretentious?

The scene in which the concept of being an “accomplished woman” is a pivotal point for each of the character and the impact that has on the perception that audience is meant to feel.

In the scene from the 2005 adaptation, Miss Bingley’s actions throughout the dialogue seem as if she’s trying say that she’s accomplished. Which gives her character a conceited perception that is juxtaposed with Elizabeth’s, who slams her book after Mr. Darcy’s ‘reading’ comment and questions the judgment of the self-righteous Darcy and Miss Bingley. This adaptation correctly depicts the emotion and feeling of the scene.

Along with the frustration of hearing an outrageous accusation on the female gender, you can feel the tension of Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth, more so in the film but that may be due to the impact of blunt facial expressions. This affect may lead to a more desirable Darcy figure in the audience’s perspective opposed to the book because you don’t get the cold, pretentious responses. You instead get a mysterious, desired man who does not feel many women are up to standards, yet feels Elizabeth is. Also, having a more exaggerated Miss Bingley overshadows the impression that you’re supposed to feel from Mr. Darcy. These factors could have lead to the “Darcy craze”. 

Of course, Mr. Bingley is still correctly illustrated as optimistic, loving fan of all the Bennet sisters in the 2005 film. Leaving the view of his character as sweet and understanding because he overlooks the flaws of these women whose characteristics cast them as very “unaccomplished”.

The idea of being “accomplished” has different standards in each character’s eyes. For Darcy and Miss Bingley it can be summed up to directly relating to social class and wealth. Which is why Elizabeth becomes so defensive against their arguments, depicted in both the novel and the 2005 film, because she realizes the pride of these pretentious people is exactly as she had preconceived.