Sunday, April 16, 2006

Hold Your Assumptions Lightly

I went to watch a movie tonight with a friend, and while we waited for the movie to start, we sat talking about different things. I can't remember what we were talking about when he said how he had to frequently remind himself to hold his assumptions lightly.

I was to recall this phrase when we went to see our movie, Pride and Prejudice. I am yet to read the book, but have seen several TV and movie adaptations - so much so that I feel like I have read the book. Personally, I've enjoyed all the screen adaptations that I have seen of Pride and Prejudice, but popular opinion seems to be that it is a 'woman's book'.

That is why seeing the gender ratio of the audience was the first big surprise to me. Almost as many men as women. Okay, I thought, the men let themselves be dragged to see this movie. Maybe so, maybe not. Then I was struck by how an English movie (an English period movie, at that) had managed to draw such a large crowd, in an era where American movies still reign supreme. I suppose I really shouldn't have been surprised. The movie was incredibly funny and the story highly compelling and very familiar to us Nigerians. A mother's steely resolve to marry off each of her five daughters (and to marry them off well, to suitable and well-placed partners no less!)

4 comments:

hoong said...

Just like Gone With The Wind, the movie is great but the fine writing can only be appreciated by reading the book.

Then do not forget to put yourself 'in their shoes' and immersed in the history of that period ...

Vixen said...

I've seen about 4 adaptations--but nothing beats the book, it's a classic for a reason.

Ore said...

Pride and Prejudice has been on my To Read list for a long, long time. I hope to read it this year.

Pilgrimage to Self said...

Hi there,

just a gentle reminder that today is the deadline for your 'Letter to My Younger Self'. Once it's published, please leave a comment on my blog to let me know. :-)