Why You Should Watch The Lizzie Bennet Diaries

The Lizzie Bennet Diaries has been hailed by critics and fans alike as one of the most innovative literary adaptations as it follows Jane Austen’s beloved character Elizabeth Bennet in a modernized internet-based retelling of Pride and Prejudice. Lizzie narrates the trials and tribulations of her family life in the style of a v-log and our writers, Elizabeth and Stephanie team up to discuss and explore the internet sensation that is Lizzie Bennet and prove why you should tune in!

Ashley Clements as Lizzie Bennet. Image Source: LizzieBennet.com

Imagine, just for a moment, that Jane Austen’s classic novel Pride and Prejudice did not take place in 19th century England, and instead took place in 21st century California. Would our intelligent, outspoken protagonist Elizabeth Bennet be a graduate student with an interest in video blogging? Wouldn’t Darcy’s elitism and reserved nature make him the quintessential bowtie-wearing hipster? What if Georgiana Darcy conspired with Colonel Fitzwilliam to get Elizabeth and Darcy together—by tweeting at him?

This is the world of The Lizzie Bennet Diaries, a modern-day adaptation of Pride and Prejudice co-created by Bernie Su and Hank Green. The Lizzie Bennet Diaries (or, as its die-hard fans call it, LBD) takes the form of a web series that double as Lizzie Bennet’s personal video diaries. Staying true to its source material, the web series is centered around Lizzie’s difficult relationship with the uptight William Darcy, as well as Lizzie’s sister Jane Bennet’s courtship with the charming Bing Lee (aka Charles Bingley).

The youngest sister, Lydia, who is depicted as self-involved and careless in the Austen novel, is portrayed as a fun-loving party girl who is often misunderstood and neglected by those around her – particularly by her own sisters. This dynamic characterization allows viewers to sympathize with Lydia’s vulnerable soul in a way that has not been done before in previous adaptations. As for the other two Bennet ladies in the novels, Mary and Kitty, they are not forgotten, but are re-casted to play important roles in Lydia’s story.

While the theme of marriage as the be all and end all for women is accurate to the context of Pride & Prejudice’s period, such is an overarching idea is archaic to our modern understandings. The spirited Mrs. Bennet of the LBD is still heavily obsessed with her daughters’ love lives, but the conflicts facing the young heroines’ are ones dealing with the universally experienced themes of change: growing up, moving on (and out), and the fears and insecurities it all raises. Seeing Lizzie’s best friend, Charlotte Lu, an aspiring filmmaker with a quick wit and mature outlook, struggle with prioritizing her family, friends, educational and professional goals is something many young adults can relate to. By refashioning the plots for today’s times, a familiar story like Pride & Prejudice becomes much more fresh and identifiable to viewers who are also trying to find themselves in the world.

Perhaps the most innovative (and dare I say revolutionary) aspect of the LBD project is their integrative use of social media as a storytelling medium. True to the virtual age, the material transcends beyond the realm of the YouTube comments section to other digital media platforms such as Twitter and Tumblr. This transmedia approach allows fans to get even further involved in the story, as followers can watch the drama unfold in real time, interact with the characters themselves, and discuss the show with other fans around the globe. This social comedy has expanded to a social observation of the effects of social media on our relationships with people, which is all fostered by an online community through social media outlets! Wrap your mind around that one!

One might assume that Jane Austen’s tale of the society of landed gentry – which actually celebrated its 200th year anniversary last month – is overly dated. However, the legions of fans waiting eagerly in front of their laptops for the latest upload would beg to differ. Pride and Prejudice is a story of love transcending social class and misunderstandings of pride and, well, prejudice. The timeless adventures of Elizabeth Bennet are just as captivating now on YouTube as they were back in 1813. Whether you’re a hardcore Janeite or you don’t even have a clue what a Janeite is (for the sake of clarification, it’s the Austen version of a Trekkie), The Lizzie Bennet Diaries is a must-watch!

Watch the latest installments of the Lizzie Bennet Diaries on YouTube. Catch up on the story and its characters on their website…

The Lizzie Bennet Diaries: http://www.youtube.com/LizzieBennet
Lizzie Bennet – Official Site: http://www.lizziebennet.com

About the Authors
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Elizabeth Rosalyn The is a staff writer here at “The Hudsucker”. She is studying Communication and English at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, Canada. She imagines a world full of peace, love, music, and magic rainbows on the horizon. Elizabeth also writes for recultured. Follow her on Twitter as @ElizabethThe. 

Stephanie Mau is a contributing writer to “The Hudsucker.” By day, she is a teaching assistant at Kumon, attempting to convince young children that 36 is indeed less than 37, but by night, she turns into an intrepid Instagram food photographer. Follow her on Twitter as @poehlerized.