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

Austen and Brontë adaptations are often met with skepticism, but their purpose goes beyond mere sensationalism. The novels of these two iconic authors continue to captivate audiences, but not without being subject to reevaluation and reinterpretation.

As part of the 250th celebrations of Jane Austen's birth, Andrew Davies has revealed that he is working on versions of Emma and Mansfield Park that will include darker themes such as death, debauchery, and slavery. While some may view these changes as a betrayal of the original works, Davies' approach recognizes the complexity and nuance of Austen's novels.

Austen's own life was marked by significant historical events, including the Napoleonic wars, which are often overlooked in favor of more sanitized portrayals. Similarly, Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights has sparked controversy with the release of a new trailer that features an actor of color as Heathcliff. While some have criticized this casting choice as "whitewashing," others argue that it is a necessary step towards representation and diversity.

The debate surrounding these adaptations highlights the need to confront the historical realities of Austen's and Brontë's worlds. By reimagining their works in new and innovative ways, we can keep their novels alive for a wider audience and ensure that their stories continue to resonate with readers today.

In an age where reading is becoming increasingly endangered, adaptations like these are a welcome respite from the original texts. Rather than being seen as acts of literary grave-robbing, they represent a way to breathe new life into classic works and make them accessible to a broader audience.

Ultimately, Austen and Brontë's novels remain an integral part of our cultural heritage, and their adaptations serve as a reminder that these stories are not static but dynamic and evolving. By embracing change and diversity, we can continue to explore the complexities and nuances of their works, ensuring that their legacies endure for generations to come.

I love how these classic authors are getting a refresh - it's like they're wearing new shoes for the first time! It's not about erasing history but about giving those who came before us a platform to speak louder. The more diverse voices we get in adaptations, the better. And let's be real, death and debauchery can be pretty wild too . Not everyone has to agree on how it should go down, that's what makes life interesting.

I don’t usually comment but I think it’s awesome that they’re giving those classic novels a fresh look . Like, yeah, Austen and Brontë were writing during some really tumultuous times and we can’t just ignore the dark stuff that went on back then. It’s like, their lives were all about social commentary, you know? So, it makes sense that they’re reimagining these stories to be more inclusive and representative of different experiences.

I mean, let’s be real, reading is already super intimidating for some people , so if we can make these classics a little more accessible, that’s gotta be a good thing. And, honestly, I think it’s pretty cool that they’re having these conversations about representation and diversity in literature. Like, we need more of that stuff happening, you know?

I don’t wanna sound like I’m being all judgy or anything, but I do think it’s crazy how some people are reacting to these adaptations . Like, come on, guys, get over it! It’s just a story, and if it can make more people interested in reading, then that’s a win in my book .

I'm actually kinda stoked about these new adaptations ! It's like, Austen and Brontë's books have been around for ages, but they're still super relevant today. And yeah, I get why people might be skeptical at first, but honestly, it's refreshing to see them updating the classics for a modern audience . It's all about keeping their stories fresh and exciting, while also acknowledging the complexities of their original worlds . I mean, let's not forget that these women lived during some pretty tumultuous times in history – war, social change... it's amazing they were able to put those experiences into words in such a timeless way . And casting an actor of color as Heathcliff? That's about time we saw more diversity on screen! It's all about representation and giving people the chance to see themselves in these iconic characters

I'm kinda curious about these new Austen & Brontë adaptations ... some people might get salty about changes to the original stories, but I think it's dope to see how these classic novels can still be relevant today . Like, have you seen that Wuthering Heights trailer with Heathcliff? It's about time we got more diverse representations on screen, right? And with the Napoleonic wars being brought up in Emma adaptations... it's like, Austen's life was actually pretty wild and complex . I'm all for keeping these classic works alive and fresh for a new generation of readers .

omg what's with all these old books being adapted again? i mean i love jane austen and emily brontë and all but can't they just leave them alone? like my grandma used to read them when she was young and now her grandkids are reading them too. that's pretty cool, right? anyway i heard it's not always a bad thing to change things up a bit... like did you know the napoleonic wars were a big deal in austen's time? how many people actually read about that stuff back then?

i mean...can you imagine how different emma would be if they added more depth to her character? like, we know she's all about finding a husband but what about her feelings on class & privilege? it'd be so interesting to see that explored on screen . and yeah, casting is everything - i'm so glad they're shaking things up with heathcliff in wuthering heights. it's not whitewashing if it's representing the complexities of the novel better

I think its dope how they're reimagining Austen & Brontë's novels with a fresh spin . I mean, yeah, some ppl might be like "wait, this isn't how it went down in the past" but that's kinda the point - their lives were super complex and multifaceted, so why can't we reflect that in the adaptations? The controversy around Heathcliff's casting is a great example of this - it's not about whitewashing or any of that, its about time we saw more diverse faces in these classic stories . And honestly, who doesn't love seeing old classics in new and interesting ways? Its like, the stories are still there but now they're for a whole new generation .

I'm so down for some darker Emma and Mansfield Park ! It's about time we got a more accurate representation of Austen's life and world. I mean, have you seen the way she was treated by society back then? It's crazy. And Brontë's Wuthering Heights is already so complex and emotional - why not shake things up a bit? The new trailer for Heathcliff has me intrigued too... I'm all for representation and diversity in literature! Can't wait to see how these adaptations turn out

I'm all for some new takes on these classic novels . I mean, let's be real, Austen's life was pretty complicated – she lived during a time when women had limited rights and the Napoleonic wars were super messy . And Brontë's Wuthering Heights is already a pretty dark and moody novel, so adding some diversity to Heathcliff doesn't feel like whitewashing at all .

I love that these adaptations are trying to bring in new perspectives and themes that might have been overlooked in the past . It's not about ripping apart the original works or watering them down – it's about making them relevant again for a modern audience who might be put off by the sanitized versions we've seen before .

I just hope they don't overdo it with all the "edgy" themes and focus on the story itself . We already have enough dystopian novels to choose from, let's not forget what made Austen and Brontë so great in the first place – their writing is timeless for a reason .

I'm so down for this!!! Can you imagine Emma with some real edge? Like, death, debauchery, and slavery are all major themes in Austen's novels anyway, they're not just romantic comedies. It's about time we give her some more depth. And I love how the Brontës' works are getting a modern twist too. That new Heathcliff casting is giving me LIFE . It's all about representation and diversity, you know? We need to see ourselves in these classic stories and make them relatable to new generations. Adaptations are the way forward, imo. Let's keep Austen and Brontë alive and kicking!

i'm all for it! the idea of giving austen's emma and mansfield park a darker twist is super interesting . i mean, let's be real, these novels were written in a time when women's lives were super limited and they had to navigate some pretty tough stuff. adding some more complexity to the storylines could make them even more relatable today.

but at the same time, i do worry about losing the essence of what makes these novels so beloved in the first place . like, austen's writing style is iconic for a reason, you know? we don't want to change too much and lose that charm.

anyway, i'm all for exploring new adaptations and perspectives on classic works . it's a great way to keep these stories alive and make them relevant to modern audiences. and let's be real, diversity in casting is long overdue . emily brontë's wuthering heights is like, one of the most iconic novels ever, so it's time we gave heathcliff a fresh face