Comparison Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Comparison Paper - Essay Example Throughout the film, there are several traces of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. One of the most obvious similarities between the two stories is the character named Darcy. In Pride and Prejudice, this character is Fitzwilliam Darcy and he is one of the wealthiest and most sought-after bachelors of the area. His country estate is called Pemberley and this is one of the places where Darcy and Elizabeth meet. In Bridget Jones’ Diary, this character is given the more modern name of Mark Darcy and, while wealthy and with parents living in a nice home in the country, he does not own Pemberley. Instead, this becomes the name of the publishing house where Bridget works at the time she meets Darcy. Both characters are thus placed socially and economically at a level above the female lead and are characterized by a strong sense of restraint in emotional expression. This character is placed in competition for the female’s attentions with someone they have tangled with before. In Pride and Prejudice, Fitzwilliam Darcy must contend with Mr. Wickham for Elizabeth’s interest while Mark must compete with Danial for Bridget. In both cases, the Darcy character is not much interested in fighting against someone he feels he cannot win against even though this other character is far his inferior. Mr. Wickham is a lascivious fortune seeker and gambler and Daniel is a womanizer. Despite their significant character flaws, both Mr. Wickham and Daniel manage to distract Elizabeth/Bridget from her true match. However, Elizabeth/Bridget also has a tendency to get in her own way regarding her love life. Both of them are quick to judge other people based only on their exterior appearances and quickly formed character assumptions. Elizabeth assumes Darcy is snobbish and elitist based upon his attitude toward her sister, who is herself restrained in showing her affections toward Mr. Bingley. Bridget assumes Mark is ridiculous because of the silly sweater he’s