Pride and Prejudice Movie Analysis
Daphne’s analysis – focused on Language of Film, using Levi-Strauss’s Binary Opposition
In this analysis I will be looking at the change of Mr. Darcy’s character, focusing on camera angles, lighting and décor. I’ll be analyzing the first scene he appears in and the second last, showing the difference of how he is portrayed using Levi-Strauss’s Binary Opposition.
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Analysis
Scene one
Because I will be looking at Mr. Darcy’s personality and how this is shown through the language of film, I researched his major personality trait: pride. But I will also be focusing on underlying traits that come around the surface when looking closely. pride [prahyd] Show IPA noun, verb, prid·ed, prid·ing. noun 1. a high or inordinate opinion of one's own dignity, importance, merit, or superiority, whether as cherished in the mind or as displayed in bearing, conduct, etc.[…]
Now how is this character-trait projected throughout the language of film? Upon the first time we meet Darcy at the first ball, we are given a few visual clues in the first shot:
Mr. Darcy’s back is the first thing we see of him. There is an extreme backlight that shows us only the silhouette of the man. This gave me the mysterious feeling of a character we did not know until now.
It is a medium shot – slightly tilted from above. To represent pride, the angle needs to be condescending towards the ‘lower class’. This happens perfectly when Darcy stops walking and is ‘higher’ or ‘taller’ than everyone in the venue. We can feel him feeling raised above anyone else.
Moving forward to the shot where we can see the front of Mr. Darcy. The medium shot stays and he is still taller than everyone else. The first close-up we get is after Mr. Darcy sees Elizabeth for the first time. The camera moves with him and the lighting is soft, representing that she could be his soft spot.
As Mr. Darcy watches the dance commence, he stands in the shadows. Still tall, but slightly hidden away. This
In this analysis I will be looking at the change of Mr. Darcy’s character, focusing on camera angles, lighting and décor. I’ll be analyzing the first scene he appears in and the second last, showing the difference of how he is portrayed using Levi-Strauss’s Binary Opposition.
-------------------
Analysis
Scene one
Because I will be looking at Mr. Darcy’s personality and how this is shown through the language of film, I researched his major personality trait: pride. But I will also be focusing on underlying traits that come around the surface when looking closely. pride [prahyd] Show IPA noun, verb, prid·ed, prid·ing. noun 1. a high or inordinate opinion of one's own dignity, importance, merit, or superiority, whether as cherished in the mind or as displayed in bearing, conduct, etc.[…]
Now how is this character-trait projected throughout the language of film? Upon the first time we meet Darcy at the first ball, we are given a few visual clues in the first shot:
Mr. Darcy’s back is the first thing we see of him. There is an extreme backlight that shows us only the silhouette of the man. This gave me the mysterious feeling of a character we did not know until now.
It is a medium shot – slightly tilted from above. To represent pride, the angle needs to be condescending towards the ‘lower class’. This happens perfectly when Darcy stops walking and is ‘higher’ or ‘taller’ than everyone in the venue. We can feel him feeling raised above anyone else.
Moving forward to the shot where we can see the front of Mr. Darcy. The medium shot stays and he is still taller than everyone else. The first close-up we get is after Mr. Darcy sees Elizabeth for the first time. The camera moves with him and the lighting is soft, representing that she could be his soft spot.
As Mr. Darcy watches the dance commence, he stands in the shadows. Still tall, but slightly hidden away. This