REMINISCING SOME MEMORABLE MOMENTS OF BBC's ADAPTATION OF CLASSICS ON TELEVISION!

Hello Friends,

How are you doing? Did you enjoy reading my last month's post on some of BBC's finest adaptation of classics on the small screen? Though there are many more that I'm yet to watch but whatever few I did, I must confess that I enjoyed them immensely,though the only regret I nurse is how on earth did I miss out on them all this while! I wonder why critics or film analysts only choose to write on new releases, I wish they'd once a while revisit some old classics to give the viewers a glimpse of the glorious past of both cinema and television.

In this month's post, I'll reflect on some of the most memorable romantic conversations from the television series I've watched recently and loved so much that I couldn't help sharing them with you! 

Of Mr. Darcy's pride...

Do you remember BBC's televised series of Pride and Prejudice(1995) and the moment when Mr. Darcy propositions marriage not once but twice to Miss Elizabeth Bennet? 

And Miss Bennet's prejudice...

Of course the first time she out-rightly turns him down because of his indifferent attitude but the second time around, things had changed drastically between the two - especially when she learns of the kindness he showed towards her family and the marked change she had observed since her first meeting with Mr. Darcy that she comes to realize how much she loves and respects him. As for Mr. Darcy...he was always in love with the beautiful and headstrong, Miss Bennet!

For starters, makes this alliance an impossible one indeed! 

Here's how Mr. Darcy proposes Miss Bennet the first time:

"In vain I have struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you. In declaring myself thus I’m fully aware that I will be going expressly against the wishes of my family, my friends, and, I hardly need add, my own better judgement. The relative situation of our families is such that any alliance between us must be regarded as a highly reprehensible connection. Indeed, as a rational man I cannot but regard it as such myself, but it cannot be helped. Almost from the earliest moments of our acquaintance I have come to feel for you a passionate admiration and regard, which despite my struggles has overcome every rational objection, and I beg you, most fervently, to relieve my suffering and consent to be my wife."

The second time the proposal is subtle...looks like Mr. Darcy had given up hopes of winning Miss Bennet's love and affection for him, when he says...

"If you will thank me, let it be for yourself alone. Your family owes me nothing, much as I respect them...I believe I thought only of you. You are too generous to trifle with me if your feelings are what they were last April, tell me so at once. My affections and wishes are unchanged but one word from you on this subject will silence me forever. Lady Catherine told me of her meeting with you, I may say that the disclosure had quite the opposite effect she intended. It taught me to hope as I'd scarcely allowed myself to hope before. I knew that, you had absolutely decided against me and would have acknowledged it openly."

Talking of Pride and Prejudice, I couldn't help but be reminded of a similar situation I'd observed in BBC's adaptation of Elizabeth Gaskell's novel, North & South. 

Mr. Thornton of the North...

Yet another love story bordering on pride and prejudice in the midst of an industrial revolution. Do you recall the moment when John Thornton proposes marriage to Miss Margaret Hale? 

And Miss Hale of the South...

And do you remember how Miss Hale rebuffs Mr. Thornton's proposal? Didn't it remind you of Pride and Prejudice? Well, here's a little conversation of what similarly transpired between Mr. Thornton and Miss Hale in North & South...

Do not see eye-to-eye on anything! Can love happen?

John Thornton: Miss Hale, I didn't just come here to thank you. I came because I think it very likely...I know I've never found myself in this position before. It's... difficult to find the words. Miss Hale, my feelings for you... are very strong.

Margaret Hale: Please! Stop. Pray, please don't go any further.

John Thornton: Excuse me?

Margaret Hale: Please don't continue in that way. It's not the way of a gentleman.

John Thornton: I'm well aware that in your eyes at least, I'm not a gentleman. But I think I deserve to know why I am offensive?

Margaret Hale: It offends me that you should speak to me as if it were your duty to rescue my reputation!

John Thornton: I spoke to you about my feelings because I love you; I had no thought for your reputation!

Margaret Hale: You think that because you are rich and my father is in reduced circumstances, that you can have me for your possession! I suppose I should expect no less from someone in trade!

John Thornton: I don't want to possess you! I wish to marry you because I love you!

Margaret Hale: You shouldn't! Because I do not like you, and never have.

John Thornton: One minute we talk of the color of fruit, the next of love. How does that happen?

Margaret Hale: My friend, Bessy Higgins, is dying.

John Thornton: And that of course, is my fault too.

Margaret Hale: I'm sorry.

John Thornton: For what? That you find my feelings for you offensive? Or that you assume because I'm in trade I'm only capable of thinking in terms of buying and selling? Or that I take pleasure in sending my employees to an early grave?

(Ahh..how romantic! But hang on...if you thought these were the ultimate propositions that you'd ever heard...then hang on! The next and the last one is going to melt your heart away!)

Jane Eyre's emotional confession...

BBC's adaptation of Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre (2006) simply makes you cry. As it is the story is tragic (thankfully the ending is happy, if I may add here!) of a poor but strong-willed and educated governess,Jane Eyre who is in love with her brooding master, Mr. Rochester oblivious of his dark past that would strike upon them like a bolt of lightning and could change their destinies; but only if they believe and hold together steadfastly to love!

And Mr. Rochester's heart-tugging proposition...

I had tears in my eyes as I watched this romantic yet soul-searching scene when Mr. Rochester knows that Jane loves him but is trying to hear it from her while Jane on the other hand believes that Mr. Rochester is to marry Blanche Ingram and her services would no longer be required in Thornfield; she's already distressed, pained and saddened at the thought of this eventual separation until she confesses her inner-most feelings for him and Mr. Rochester in turn surprises us all with the most romantic proposition ever! 

...is the 'defining' moment of Jane & Mr. Rochester's relationship!

Here's how it unfolds...

Mr. Rochester: We've been good friends,haven't we Jane? It's difficult to part from the friend and know you'll never meet them again. And you and I...it's like we're a pair of Eshton's twins; bound together in some unworldly way, sharing a spirit, we're so alike. When we are parted, when you leave me, I believe that bond will snap and I will bleed inwardly...but you will forget me after a while.

Jane: I would never forget you! How can you imagine that? Who do you think I am? I wish I had never been born, I wish I had never come here! I wish I had never grown to love Thornfield! I love Thornfield. I love it because I have lived a full life. I have not been trampled on. I have been treated as an equal...you have treated me as an equal. You are the best person I know and I cannot bear the thought of having to leave you.

Mr. Rochester: Must you leave me Jane?

Jane: Oh...of course I must because you have a wife.

Mr. Rochester: What do you mean?

Jane: Blanche Ingram of course. You're as good as married to her...you've promised her

Mr. Rochester: I have not promised Blanche anything...

Jane: It is someone who is inferior to you...someone you have no sympathy with. Of course I must go. Do you think that's what I am ashamed? Looks like I can bear it? Do you think because I'm poor, plain, obscure and little that I have no heart, that I'm without soul? I have as much heart as you and as much soul. And if God had given me some beauty and wealth,I would make it as hard for you to leave me as it is now for me to leave you!

Mr. Rochester: Then do not leave me, Jane

Jane: Let me go...I'm a free person and I will go and do as I please.

Mr. Rochester: Yes, yes you will. You will decide your own destiny. Jane, I offer you my hand and my heart and all my possessions. Jane I want you to live with me, to pass through life as my second self, my best earthly companion. Jane, you have no faith in me?

Jane: None whatsoever...

Mr. Rochester: You doubt me?

Jane: Absolutely

Mr. Rochester: Jane, you know I don't love Blanche, I love you...as my own flesh. Jane say that you will marry me? Say quickly. Jane, do you accept me?

Jane: You and earnest? I can hardly believe you...

Mr. Rochester: I swear...

Jane: Yes Sir...

Mr. Rochester: Call me by my name...call me Edward

Jane: And Edward I will marry you.

Mr. Rochester: Oh God forgive me and let no man meddle with me! I aim to keep her.

Jane: There is no one cometh! I have no family to interfere.

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And finally, we come to the end of this month's post...I do hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I did while reminiscing these wonderful moments! I look forward to reading your views and thoughts in the comments section below!

Take care and ciao!!

Love,

Sonyaa