Analysis of Austens Pride and prejudice and Henrik Ibsens A Dolls House
... to the church and religious importance is sustained throughout the novel with examples of proper etiquette and the importance of marriage regarding inheritance and security. This is seen with charlottes marriage as previously mentioned and the importance Mrs Bennet places on the marriage of her girls. Langton places importance in the symbol of the church by opening establishing shots, which focus and include the church and various other scenes where the church is present in the backdrop, showing its constant influence. Mr Collins has a strong correlation also to that of the bishop in Browning’s poem “The bishop orders his tomb at St Praxeds”. Both are infatuated with materialistic value and mock the ideals of religious ideology and lifestyle. Austen presents the character of Mr Collins as a sycophant and this is exaggerated with the techniques of Langtons directing and characterisation. Both however represent the significance the church played and the roles it contributed to the social mores and propriety one must hold in those times. However at the same time although religious paradigms obviously shaped Austens text it seems she was also making a critical comment on the ideology of marriage as an institution and the conformist obsequious nature of Mr Collins perhaps as an example of disillusionment and ‘overboard’ devotion to religious ideology and the social mores intertwined with this. Religious paradigms have undoubtedly shaped Austen’s text as the era in which she lived and social institutions are clearly depicted throughout her work in particular that of classicism and etiquette and religious obedience. Robert Browning has also relevant religious influence, which is seen throughout many of his poem in particular that of “The Bishop orders his tomb at St Praxed’s church.” Throughout this poem Browning mocks the ideal of religion to an extent and outlines perhaps the idea of corruptness and materialistic greed. Religious models however are prominent in his writing as he transforms from atheist beliefs to that of a priest and we view this within his writings. All three texts have strong religious influence due to the context of the times they were written. Religious mores were of prominence in society as can be viewed with Browning’s career as a reverend and these paradigms would have undeniably shaped the authors writings. However in Langtons text, a modern adaptation, the ideal of the church are somewhat parodied as the pressure for religious conformity is of less importance in modern day society. Strong synergies are also reflected throughout the texts with protagonists and individualists challenging the institutions of society and others simply adapting to them. Through this paradigm of religion the presence of the individual is depicted and also the ways of thinking of paralleling communities with conformatist views and the abstract of the individualist ideals. Economic Paradigms are heavily presented throughout the three texts and reflect also the economic phase at the time of writing and how this has influenced the composer’s work. Ibsen’s work revolves around economic and social importance and the repercussion of such institutions. Ibsen highlights with Torvald the indication of social status as a result of ones job and the subordinate role of woman at the time being exempt from such economic procedures as borrowing “a wife cannot borrow without her husbands permission”. He also reflects the patriarchal nature that Torvald holds due to his job and position in society and the home life “just like a woman” Helmer says with a condescending and patriarchal nature. Rank in the text however seems to satirise this ideal of extreme work “is that the best cure for hard work” perhaps making a comment on the working conditions of the time. Also the industrial revolution has commenced in 1750’s and this paradigm would have substantially influenced Ibsen’s work as we have seen with his parodies and social conventions and importance placed on materialistic wealth and stature. Several political uprisings occurred in Europe in 1848 due to the groping discontent of the working class and a Marxist reading would see Nora as a metaphor for “the oppression and exploitation of labour under the tyranny of capitalist men”. This importance on materialistic value and security is linked into “Pride and Prejudice” as we see economic paradigms reflected throughout this text that parallel that of Ibsen’s and also provide insight into the external influences of the context in which the author lived. Such paradigms throughout Austen’s text can be seen with that of the characters of Caroline, Lady Catherine De Burg, Charlotte and Wickham and how each continuously strive for material wealth and “security”. Also within this text there is the unveiling of the nouveaux riches who are regarded as the ‘Gardiners’ in this text. The inclusion of these characters shows Austens focus on the industrial revolution and the effects it had and attitudes it gained as a consequence, as Caroline refers to this nouveaux rich originating from “cheap side”. Darcy also reflects economic status “among his equals of wealth and consequence he can afford to be liberal minded” as Wickham referred to Darcy exacerbating the significance of monetary value. Economic paradigms are substantially reflected throughout Langton’s adaptation of Austen’s text as the author relays the importance of economic wealth and stature of the time and parodies these values with the protagonist of Elizabeth and her refusal of these ideals and her focus on romantistic ideals and affinity with nature. Robert Browning also presents Economic paradigms throughout his work greatly projecting the Victorian values and the economic status one desired in this time. ‘The Bishop Orders His Tomb At St Praxeds’ represents the obsession with status and social hierarchy and the intense desire as seen with the bishop to up hold this status with materialistic possessions. ‘Parting at Morning’ with the reference “and the need of a world of men for me” also seems to refer to industrialisation and economic importance of work and stature and its ever-present influence on society. The event occurring around the times of the writings of these texts such as the industrial revolution, Napoleonic wars and Marxist readings and values would have influenced and shaped the texts significantly. The importance of economic status is reflected throughout the three texts and still transcends into the current time. Langton’s focus on economic status is seen throughout his adaptation with camera techniques such as wide angle close up shots of Pemberly and the focus on Darcy as the most vividly appealing and off course financially stable character. Guy de Maupassant’s writings such as that of “The Necklace” also relay an economic context as the ideals of material wealth are satirised with the moral of the short prose. Philosophical paradigms are reflected throughout the composers work with the representation of the individual and the challenges to society that they advocate and often linked in the idea of romantic ideologies are the affiliations of nature and how the protagonists grasp this ideal as a p...