The Guardian view on Austen and Brontë adaptations: purists may reel, but reinvention keeps classic novels alive | Editorial

The classic novel has long been a staple of British literature, but its enduring appeal lies not just in its timeless themes, but also in the opportunities for artistic reinterpretation that come with each new adaptation. The recent explosion of Austen and Brontë reimaginings on screen may have sent shockwaves among traditionalists, who fear that these 'reinventions' are sacrilegious and a betrayal of the original works.

However, this criticism is misplaced. By tackling darker themes such as maternal mortality and slavery in their novels, Austen and Brontë were not afraid to confront the harsh realities of life during their time. Theirs is not the sanitized 'light & bright' portrayal that popular adaptations often suggest – rather, it's a nuanced exploration of human nature, replete with complexity and moral ambiguity.

One notable example of this reinterpretation can be seen in the recent revelations about Andrew Davies's upcoming versions of Emma and Mansfield Park. The 89-year-old screenwriter has promised to delve deeper into the novels' darker undercurrents, including death and debauchery – a move that will undoubtedly spark debate among fans.

Another adaptation that's generated controversy is the forthcoming Wuthering Heights film, directed by Emerald Fennell. While its trailer has been criticized for its hyper-eroticized take on the classic novel, it's the casting decision to make Jacob Elordi an actor of colour as Heathcliff that has raised the most eyebrows. The debate surrounding 'whitewashing' and representation is understandable, but it also overlooks the fact that Wuthering Heights – like Austen's novels – is a deeply flawed and problematic work.

Yet despite these criticisms, adaptations remain essential to keeping classic novels alive in our collective consciousness. They can spark new conversations, introduce fresh perspectives, and make these timeless works accessible to a wider audience. The 1995 film Clueless, which transposed Emma into a Beverly Hills high school setting, is just one example of how an adaptation can breathe new life into a beloved novel.

In fact, the recent proliferation of screen versions of Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility is a testament to the enduring appeal of Austen's works. Rather than being 'acts of literary grave-robbing', these adaptations are opportunities for artists to reimagine and reinterpret classic stories in innovative ways – while also introducing readers back to the original novels.

Ultimately, this is not about preserving the 'purity' of the original texts, but about keeping their spirit alive through new and exciting interpretations. By embracing the diversity of adaptation, we can continue to engage with Austen and Brontë's works in fresh and innovative ways, ensuring that their timeless themes remain part of our cultural conversation for generations to come.

I gotta say, I'm super skeptical about these new Austen reimaginings . Like, what's the point of messing with perfection? We're gonna end up losing the essence of the original novels in all this drama and controversy . And don't even get me started on that Wuthering Heights casting decision... like, are they serious with Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff? It's just gonna be another whitewashed version of a classic novel . I mean, can't we just leave the original stories alone and enjoy them in peace?

the whole thing about adapting classic novels is kinda cool, but also super problematic i mean, what happens when you're taking a story from like 200 years ago and trying to put it in the present day? do you just erase all the problematic stuff that made it bad in the first place or do you try to tackle those issues head on? personally, i think the latter is way more interesting emerald fennell's wuthering heights film has got me hyped for sure, even if they did get a lot of flak for casting jacob elordi as heathcliff. but at the end of the day, adaptations are all about bringing new perspectives to the table and sparking conversations

I'm all for a good adaptation every now & then ... but let's be real, some of these reimaginings can feel like they're trying too hard to be edgy or trendy. I mean, death and debauchery in Emma? Really? Like, can't we just keep it simple and still get the point across? But at the same time, I love how adaptations are pushing boundaries and exploring new themes... it's like, yeah, let's go deeper into the complexities of human nature! And can we talk about how cool it is to see actors from different backgrounds playing iconic roles? Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff could be a game-changer. It's all about balance, right? Between staying true to the original and bringing something fresh to the table...

can't believe all the hate on these adaptations lol what's wrong with some people wanting to see new takes on old faves? it's not about ruining the classics, but about keeping them relevant and making them accessible to a newer audience emerald fennell is actually pretty talented and her take on wuthering heights might just be the most interesting one yet plus, who says heathcliff has to be white? shouldn't we be celebrating diversity in adaptations instead of getting worked up over it

omg i just read the most interesting article about austen & bronte reimaginings on screen lol i'm literally torn between loving the idea of seeing dark & gritty takes on these classics or being like "wait wut is this a sacrilege" anyway i think it's all about perspective - like if you're into that dark & brooding vibe then yeah go for it but if not, well then there's always the sanitized version lol also can we talk about how whitewashing in film is a whole thing and it's so problematic but at the same time emerald fennell's wuthering heights trailer does look kinda lit

I think people who are worried about these reimaginings being "sacrilegious" just don't get it - Austen & Brontë were all about exploring the complexities of human nature in a time that was pretty messed up ... like, have you read their novels lately? They're not all sunshine & rainbows! Maternal mortality is no joke, slavery is a brutal reality we can't ignore... if these adaptations tackle those dark themes, it's gonna be a game-changer. And yeah, there might be some "whitewashing" going on with Wuthering Heights, but come on, let's not get too hung up on that - the real issue is keeping Austen's works relevant in a modern world . We need these adaptations to make their themes & characters relatable to people who aren't born into the 19th century!

I mean, back in my day... we didn't have all these fancy adaptations like they do now. I remember reading Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice in school and just thinking it was a nice love story between Elizabeth and Darcy. But now, I see how dark and complex the themes are - death, poverty, social class... it's not all sunshine and rainbows!

And yeah, I get why some people are upset about the Wuthering Heights casting decision, but let's be real, the book is a product of its time. It's got some major flaws and problematic stuff going on. But at least they're trying to have a nuanced conversation about it now. That's what adaptations are all about - giving us new perspectives and sparking debates.

I love how Clueless took Emma and made it a Beverly Hills high school story. That was genius! And I'm so down for more Pride & Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility screen versions - they're keeping the classics alive and making them relevant to new generations.

i think the whole debate around adaptations is a bit unnecessary tbh . people get so worked up about 'sacrilegious' versions of classic novels, but honestly, austen and brontë wrote some pretty messed up stuff in their time too . like, maternal mortality and slavery are NOT exactly light & bright themes . anyway, i think adaptations can be a great way to keep these classics alive for new audiences . and let's be real, sometimes the most interesting interpretations come from people who aren't strictly 'purity' purists . the key is to respect the original works while still allowing artists to put their own spin on them .

I gotta say, people are still super extra about these new adaptations . Like, I get it, some classics can be a bit...problematic , but that's what makes them interesting, right? And honestly, I think the ones that delve into the darker themes are actually the most compelling . It's not about "ruining" the original works, it's about giving them new life and making them relatable to a modern audience .

I'm also loving the diversity in casting choices - like, Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff? Game changin' ! It shows that we're still working on representation and inclusivity, but at least we're trying, you know? And can we talk about how adaptations are actually keeping these classic novels relevant again ? It's not just about preserving the "purity" of the original texts, it's about making them accessible to new people and sparking new conversations .