Regency Interpreter on Pride and Prejudice, part 1

by Maria Grace

Regency InterpreterP&P copyA few years ago, my husband and I were able to attend a performance of Japanese Kabuki theater company. The performance was in Japanese, so the entire audience had headsets that allowed an interpreter in translate the performance for us. The interpreter was spectacular. He translated not only the language, but the culture as well. He explained so many things that made the performance so much more enjoyable. For example, there were a number of black garbed people running around the stage but they were not actors. He explained they were stage hands and they wore black so you could not see them. Amazingly, once I knew this, I found I really didn’t see them anymore. One of the stage actors wore a costume with pant legs about three feet longer than they needed to be. He explained that the king’s advisers wore these pants to protect the king for if they were to harm the king in any way, they could not make a quick escape.

These little tidbits added so much to the performance and helped us enjoy it far more than we otherwise would have. I have found myself offering the same service to my family when we watch period movies, particularly Regency era ones. When my boys studied Pride and Prejudice in high school, I watched with them and explained an entire subtext that they were entirely unaware of. While they made some noises about appreciating it, I’m not sure how welcome my interpreting was to them.

But you, gracious readers, are an entirely different class all together! You share my joy and fascination with all things Regency. I cannot wait to sit down and watch Pride and Prejudice with you who will allow me to have my share of the conversation and not give me rolled eyes and pats on the head for it.

Episode 1 part 1

In the opening sequence, we seek Elizabeth walking and even running along lovely countryside on her way back to Longbourn house. Although it seems innocent enough, the custom of the day did not look favorably on young ladies walking by themselves–who knows what dangers might await them without a chaperone! Moreover, running was strongly discouraged as distinctly unladylike since well-bred individuals moved with elegance and poise at all times. I don’t know about you, but I would have been in serious trouble. Let’s just same my name being ‘grace’ is more irony than anything else.

When Elizabeth returns home, her sisters are loudly arguing and running through the house. At fifteen and sixteen, these young ladies are far too old to behave in such unladylike ways, pointing to the poor management of Mrs. Bennet upon her daughters. Their voices should be moderated and they should never engage in vulgar displays of emotion if they are to have any hope of being accepted in polite society.

A little later, as the Bennets are on their way home from church and the girls line up behind their mother in order of age. The Regency era was a period where social rank was very important and people were very aware of their place in society. The Bennet sisters walk in rank order, eldest to youngest. After her marriage, Lydia makes note of how their order of precedence must change a way of flaunting her new status and rank as a married woman—probably the first time she ever got to walk at the front of the line in her life.

Mrs. Bennet brings up the arrival of Bingley to Netherfield to Mr. Bennet and reminds him that he must pay a visit to the new comer to the neighborhood. It was custom that the established members of the neighborhood would visit a newcomer and establish an acquaintance between the families. Until their father visited, none of the Bennet ladies could visit or call upon the Netherfield ladies. When Mr. Bennet suggests, jokingly, that perhaps the ladies should visit alone, he is alluding to behavior so shockingly improper, no decent woman would ever consider it. No well-bred woman would ever call upon a man unless it was on a matter of business. Keep this in mind regarding Kitty and Lydia a little later.

When they return home, Mrs. Bennet immediately complains to Hill about Mr. Bennet’s behavior. This again reveals Mrs. Bennet as a very improper woman. A well-mannered woman would never speak to a servant in such a familiar manner, nor about such personal issues. One did not involve servants in one’s personal life. Servants were to be treated courteously, but with appropriate distance and formality.

 

Episode 1 part 2

As we start part 2, Mrs. Bennet is lamenting that they will never know Mr. Bingley, only to discover that Mr. Bennet has indeed visited Netherfield and now they will be unable to escape the acquaintance. Once an acquaintance was made, it was expected that the families would mingle together. Since in any neighborhood, there were a limited number of gentle-persons, it was expected that they would all socialize together. To fail to do so would be intolerably rude. I can imagine some very awkward moments when people did not get along with one another or were put out with one another. Perhaps this was related to the requirement that emotional outbursts be strictly avoided.

At the Meryton Assembly (a public ball), all the Bennet sisters anticipated a dance with Mr. Bingley. Gentlemen were expected to dance with many ladies during an evening and, unless engaged to a lady, unable to dance more than two dances with a single lady during the evening. As one of the leading families in the community, the Bennet ladies could expect to be honored with Mr. Bingley as a partner.

At the assembly, Sir William Lucas acts as Master of Ceremonies for the event. As Master of Ceremonies, he helps identify which lady and gentlemen will have the leading spot for each dance. He also performs the service of introductions so the couples may dance. A lady who has not been properly introduced to a man cannot accept a dance invitation from him. This is unlike a private ball, where a refusal to dance requires the lady to sit out the rest of the evening. So even though Mr. Bennet has been introduced to Mr. Bingley, Mr. Bingley is not free to ask the Bennet ladies for a dance, yet.

Mr. Bingley requests an introduction to the Bennet ladies. As their superior in wealth (thus social standing) he must be the one to request an introduction for the superior individual determines whether or not an introduction is desirable and will be accepted at all.

Mrs. Bennet trespasses on this convention when she speaks to Mr. Darcy without an introduction. She is actually demonstrating very bad manners and perhaps even a bit of self-importance in assuming she should approach Darcy for an introduction. Bingley tries to cover the gaff by introducing Darcy to the Bennets, but Darcy is clearly affronted and leaves as soon as possible. It seems to us that Darcy is the one being rude, but in fact it is Mrs. Bennet whose behavior is intolerable. He simply wants to get away from an awkward situation before it gets any worse, much as we would want to escape the overly familiar ‘toucher’ who keeps encroaching on our personal space and we expect will be trying to set us up with his/her offspring on a blind date!

I have probably waffled on long enough for now. So what do you think? Shall we continue this interpreted viewing of Pride and Prejudice 1995 next time? Let me know in the comments!

36 comments on “The Regency Interpreter, part 1”

    1. Erin K
      Thank you for posting this. Yes!!! Please continue to comment about the regency tidbits in the 1995 version. I’m loving every minute reading them. :-)

    1. Maria Grace
      Thanks, Erin! So glad you enjoyed it as much as I did!

    1. Linda
      Yes, please continue. I also thought Kitty and Lydia were too old to run around like that.

    1. Maria Grace
      You were definitely right, Linda. They were at least 5 or more years too old for that kind of behavior-no wonder their father regarded him as among the silliest girls in England.

    1. Maria Grace
      Thanks Diane! You wouldn’t believe how many of ‘those’ looks my kids give me when I do this!

    1. Karana
      I have loved Pride and Prejudice for years and just took it at face value, but when you learn the nuances and customs of the time the entire story takes on a different life and is much more enjoyable, so yes keep up the interpretation.p.s. I also have the habit of dispensing bits of info when sitting watching period pieces.. regardless if they want it or not. My family gets so annoyed with me.Also, thanks for the e-book. :) I am doing a happy dance in my head.

        1. Maria Grace
          I agree, it’s the little nuances that take it to a whole different level.Thanks Karana!

    1. Lisa S
      LOL! I could imagine doing the same thing. I think a lot of these nuances are lost on many and I love that Andrew Davies really did seem to get them too. For example, I love how Mrs Bennet introduces all her daughters in order of birth even though several of them aren’t even there for the introduction. If you think about it, how many would introduce people who aren’t even there? But it fits so perfectly with the etiquette of the time. “This is my eldest, Jane….,” etc, down the line, even though Mary is sitting in the corner reading and Kitty and Lydia are out dancing. Still, she has to get all those introductions in and in order of birth so that Mr Bingley can dance with them. ;)

        1. Maria Grace
          That’s why this is my favorite movie version. I think it is the most period correct.I hadn’t thought about her introducing the daughters that weren’t there. I’ll have to add that to my notes!Thanks, Lisa!

    1. Joana S
      I really enjoyed this! P&P 1995 is by far and away my favourite adaptation and the attention to detail makes it just perfect! I loved reading your post, it’s like watching your favourite film with friends. What a shame we can’t do that for real !

        1. Maria Grace
          I agree. It would be great fun to do that some day!Thanks, Joana!

    1. TessQ
      What fun! I will happily virtually watch more P&P with you all… A great idea.

        1. Maria Grace
          Thanks, Tess! I’ll put the next installment on my calendar!

    1. Katrin W
      Oh yes, what a great idea! Please keep this up, Maria!I have never really thought about Mrs. Bennet being esp rude talking to Mr. Darcy like that without introduction. Mrs. Bennet is simply Mrs. Bennet that I never thought about that in particular. Very interesting! Thank you!Looking forward to more.

        1. Maria Grace
          I recently did some research on the etiquette of the period, particularly introductions and this really jumped out at me when I watched it again. Thanks, Katrin!

    1. Carole in Canada
      Great post! Yes please continue with the little nuances throughout this movie. It is my favourite of all time! No one else can quite portray Darcy and Elizabeth like Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle! Actually, the whole cast was perfectly chosen! Even Lady Catherine! Brilliant!

        1. Maria Grace
          I’m with you, this one is my favorite. Thanks, Carole!

    1. Marilyn Brant
      What a fun idea, Grace!!Loved it :).

        1. Maria Grace
          Thanks Marilyn!

    1. Kathy
      Thanks for this very enjoyable post! I’m finding that Mrs. Bennet is even more mortifying than she already appears to someone in the 21st century! Hope your captive audience here makes up for your family’s level of interest in the subject matter, although I suspect knowing more was definitely gratifying to your boys. Otherwise, it’s can be just a bunch of social interactions without any real meaning behind them.

        1. Maria Grace
          Mrs. B does keep getting worse and worse!Yes, this audience absolutely makes up for my captive one at home! The boys did appreciate it because they were able to impress their English teachers and the students in their study groups with my tidbits, but it’s not the same as actually being fascinating with it.Thanks, Kathy!

    1. Ruth
      More, please!

        1. Maria Grace
          Will do! Thanks, Ruth!

    1. Sail
      No rolling of the eyes here. Very entertaing and enlightening. MORE PLEASE.

        1. Maria Grace
          Absolutely Sail, thanks!

    1. Lúthien84
      Wow, I gain a new insight into Mrs Bennet’s character, thanks to you, Maria. I know she demonstrates a lack of decorum but I didn’t realise that she was rude when she speaks first to Mr Darcy without being introduced. The same situation also occurs with Mr Collins but that will be for another time when you come to it.This interesting outlook akes me look forward to your next installment on this BBC series. :razz:

        1. Maria Grace
          So glad you’re looking forward to the next installment. I am too now!Mr. Collins is a whole ‘nother kettle of fish!Thanks, Luthien!

    1. Susan Adriani
      Grace, I love that you’re as obsessive about noting the customs of the time in this movie as I am. Many thanks for a wonderful post!

        1. Maria Grace
          It is fun to be in like-minded company, isn’t it? Thanks, Susan!

            1. C. Allyn Pierson
              Do you suppose there is such a thing as Regency nerds? I think those of us who are obsessive about being historically correct would indeed qualify for this appellation…

    1. Lisa Wagner
      Thanks for sharing your thoughts! I’d always wondered about when refusing a dance would require the lady to sit out for the rest of the evening. So, it’s in a private ball only?

        1. Maria Grace
          Yes, it is only in a private ball that refusing to dance is a problem. In a public on, she must refuse to dance with anyone with whom she is not acquainted.As far as why, that I’m not so certain about. My best guess is that refusing one man would be like cutting him, most impolite and a rather personal insult. Having to sit out the rest of the evening would encourage a lady to think very carefully about delivering such an insult. But that’s just my best guess.

    1. C. Allyn Pierson
      Stage hands always wear black in western theater, too. They can turn out the lights between scenes and leave the curtain open while they move the scenery without being obtrusive. I learned this when my eldest son was in theater in school…who knew?

    1. Boston Sheryl
      Yes, yes – please continue! I love P&P 1995 – my favorite movie version. Your insights into Mrs. Bennet’s inappropriate behavior are delightful and entertaining to read. BTW, I loved your trilogy – can’t wait for your next project. Thank you so much.

    1. Regina Jeffers
      I am a big theatre and movie buff, Maria. I appreciate your insights.

17 comments

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    • Laura on February 11, 2014 at 6:08 am
    • Reply

    This is a very interesting post and I would like to know more. Please continue. Thank you.

    1. Glad to know you enjoyed!

    • Christa on February 11, 2014 at 6:16 am
    • Reply

    Thank you for taking time to provide us with this insght. Please continue, this will be a wonderful way to get back into P & P again, and these conversations add so much. Keep them coming. 🙂

    1. I’m definitely planning to continue the series!

    • Maggie Griscom on February 11, 2014 at 6:49 am
    • Reply

    Continue please!

    1. Knowing you are enjoying it definitely makes me want to continue.

    • Kathy Sader on February 11, 2014 at 8:30 am
    • Reply

    ABSOLUTELY!!!!!

    1. Thank you!

    • Anji on February 11, 2014 at 9:16 am
    • Reply

    Please carry on with “The Regency Interpreter”, Maria. You’ve covered so much here already that I hadn’t realised or noticed. I shall certainly look at my 1995 version with new eyes next time and you’ve not even reached the end of the first episode.

    1. So very glad to give you something new to your movie watching experience!

    • Talia on February 11, 2014 at 10:02 am
    • Reply

    Wonderful post. It was fun to read. I would love this to continue.

    1. Thanks, Talia. It may take a while, but I hope to be able to continue the series.

    • Carol Settlage on February 11, 2014 at 11:41 am
    • Reply

    This is a wonderful post, Maria, and I will look forward to your future additions! I was not aware either of Mrs. B’s blatant disregard of social customs in addressing Mr. Darcy before being introduced… It does change one’s understanding of the scene! And how interesting about the distinction in refusing a dance at a public versus a private ball… I recently read “Evelina” by Frances Burney, and this occurs as a prominent scene there, and is characterized as indeed a very personal insult… now I better understand it! Thank you for this wonderful post! I’m sure most of us do relish the insight from our dear “Regency Nerds”!

    1. I guess I’ve become a bit of a Regency nerd recently. LOL. All that research does end up taking its toll!

    • Chanpreet on February 14, 2014 at 11:31 pm
    • Reply

    It’s interesting isn’t it how things translate? I think your application of translating Kabuki theater to Jane Austen is quite inspired and very bright.

    1. I’m so glad you like the idea. I do the same sort of thing when I watch period movies with my friends. Sometimes we end up pausing the movie a lot.

    • Sheila L. M. on February 21, 2014 at 7:16 pm
    • Reply

    I believe that there are two times in this movie when something to that effect (needing introduction before speaking with a person) is brought up…In the opening scenes at Longbourn, when Mrs. Bennett is urging her husband to visit Mr. Bingley when he first leases Netherfield and later when Mr. Collins approaches Mr. Darcy at the Netherfield Ball and it is stated, “But they have not yet been introduced” or something along that line. Tucking of the lace – that has to come up. Allowing younger sisters out before older ones are married – Lady C. informed us that was irregular. So much to learn. And I was not aware that public balls vs. private ones were different so I did learn something there as far as a lady refusing a man. Did know that he could not dance more than two times with the same lady and many books infer that if he did dance twice with the same person it is almost saying that they are engaged. Does that compute? Looking forward to learning more. Would be great if we could all meet to watch all the various movies with comments as to this and that. Hello, anybody listening?…LOL (workshop or evening entertainment at a regional or annual meeting)

  1. […] case you missed Part 1, click here to find […]

  2. […] Maria Grace’s restored post from archives of “Regency Interpreter” Parts one and two brings to point the many gaffes committed by the Meryton Assembly attendees. (Gentle […]

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