By Nicole Holman
Assistant News Editor
This spring semester I enrolled in the Jane Austen: Novel into Film course (LTWR 336E), and it has quickly become one of the most enjoyable classes I’ve taken at CSUSM.
The class meets on Tuesday nights to discuss whichever Austen novel has been assigned for us to read for the week. Professor Stoddard-Holmes teaches this course and is very passionate about the subject matter, making the class that much more engaging.
You definitely need to leave any preconceived notions you may have had about Jane Austen’s writing at the door. We quickly learned in this class that Austen was a master of social critique and incredibly witty dialogue. Many of the topics Austen addresses in her novels are still relevant today, and her humor is conveyed so well that I’ve found myself laughing out loud at some parts.
Though this may sound like any typical Literature and Writing course, it’s really very unique. Conversations range from “how does Austen critique gender roles in her novels?” to “why do you think the 2007 film translation of ‘Pride and Prejudice’ had Colin Firth jump into a lake when that scene wasn’t in the novel?” (The answer being, of course: Colin Firth in a wet shirt).
While the class certainly is a lot of fun, it has also taught me a lot about both Jane Austen and film. After watching a film as a class we analyze the similarities and differences between the novel and the film. This activity is especially interesting because most of the time I see a movie with friends we end up talking about how different it was from the book, so it’s a similar conversation, just in a class setting.
Another thing I really appreciate about the class is the atmosphere. Even though we’re doing class work, Professor Stoddard-Holmes makes the class feel like we’re just having a conversation with friends. Despite the fact that we have already read four novels in this class, I feel like we have taken plenty of time to talk about each book and its film adaptation.
With lively discussion, film screenings and lessons in Austenian etiquette, I know I, as well as many others in this class, have begun to really look forward to Tuesday nights.
Omar G • Apr 22, 2015 at 11:24 am
I regret not taking this course. Martha is an amazing professor. If I could go back in time, I would; taking this class with her would have done a huge impact on my student life.
Maeve • Apr 15, 2015 at 7:56 pm
Great article.
I’m in this class and I love it too! **But I have to nitpick: the 2007 film version of Pride and Prejudice (which I think was actually from 2005/2006) isn’t the one with Colin Firth. You’re thinking of the 1995 TV version. They’re barely a decade apart though, and both actors make a very handsome Mr. Darcy, so it’s an easy mistake to make. 😉
sandra • Apr 9, 2015 at 1:32 pm
Sorry, sorry, going to be That Pedant… 😉
“why do you think the 2007 film translation of ‘Pride and Prejudice’ had Colin Firth jump into a lake when that scene wasn’t in the novel?”
That should be 1995, not 2007.
Sounds like a fantastic class, though!
Cara • Apr 9, 2015 at 9:54 am
Colin Firth was not in a 2007 film version, he was in the 1995 A&E television miniseries version.
Jody Smith • Apr 21, 2015 at 10:37 am
Thanks for the same correction five times in a row everyone! I think everyone and their mother knows it was supposed to read 1995 and not 2007. Doesn’t really matter!!
Susan • Apr 9, 2015 at 4:36 am
Ah, Mr. Darcy. Its incredible, Colin Firth gets more handsome, more erudite and appealing with age. He is a great great actor and is much more than Mr. Darcy (see Railway Man, A Single Man, The Kings Speech, When Did you Last See Your Father, Kingsman, A Month in the Country, Another Country, Tumbledown, Apartment Zero, Shakespeare in Love, Fever Pitch, Before I go to Sleep (a very underrated film because of his performance), Arthur Newman, a.k.a. Arthur and Mike, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, etc. He has been dreadfully typecast due to Darcy. I think the worst film he ever made is a horrible film called The Accidental Husband. Unwatchable. I love the character of Mr. Darcy. Poor Matthew MAcFadyen, a very good actor, was miscast and mis-directed in the dreadful Joe Wright version of Pride and Prejudice. The writing removed all the Austen humor, totally destroyed the satirical tone of the book, was dark and made Darcy seem like a nincompoop and social misfit and Elizabeth a whining teenage humorous petulant witless shrew . Just awful. I also like Mr. Knightly (Mark Strong, Jonny Lee Miller and Jeremy Northam versions are equally great). Then there is Wentworth. Ciaran Hinds is my favorite, but close in second place is Rupert Penry-Jones. I never envisioned a blond Wentworth, but he is very good opposite the sublime Sally Hawkins.
kathy anderson • Apr 8, 2015 at 3:46 pm
enjoyed your description of your class – sounds like something I would enjoy. May have to check my area for something similar.
Just a small correction – the Pride & Prejudice TV/movie version with Colin Firth was released in 1995 – there was a 2005 version, which starred Matthew McFayden as Mr. Darcy, and was a much shorter movie than the BBC 6-hour series.