"Mr. Darcy watched Elizabeth and her sisters work their way outward, beheading zombie after zombie as they went." (15). Seth Grahame-Smith takes the classic Jane Austen tale and turns it into Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. I was excited to read the book (I mean Elizabeth and Darcy kicking zombie arse? It sounds glorious!) Then I read it. It's not the zombies I have a problem with, oh no, it's his portrayal of Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth's "Master Liu." Master Liu clearly, is the Chinese master she had while training in Beijing all the ancient arts of weaponry. Who in order to teach her perseverance had her do a handstand for four days...straight.
But what really infuriates me is the conversation Mr. Darcy strikes up with Elizabeth. They are dancing their first dance at Netherfield (one of the most romantic tension sequences in literary history...and Seth ruins it.) when they run out of things to say (Austen gives them tensed banter, Seth gives them ignorant racism.)
I understand that Mr. Darcy was probably a racist given the time period but was that really necessary? Mr. Darcy is someone who I have been in love with since I was eight and now I have the satisfaction of knowing he thinks that my appearance is "strange." Mr. Darcy has been soiled by one man's interpretation that happened to be published AND became the New York Times best seller. It is appalling and unnecessary. How dare Grahame-Smith taint Mr. Darcy for me. Jane Austen did not mention any racial matters, so why then, Seth Grahame-Smith did you proceed to do so?
"'What think you of Orientals?' said he, smiling
'Orientals-oh! No. I am sure we never met the ame, or had the same feelings toward them.'
'But if that be the case, we may compare our different opinions. I think them a strange lot--both in appearance and custom, though having studied solely in Japan, I admit that the opinion may be incomplete. I should be most interested to hear of your time in the company of Chinamen.'
'No-I cannot talk of Orientals in a ball-room; my head is always full of something else.'
'The present always occupies you in such scenes--does it?'
'Yes, always,' she replied, without knowing what she said, for her thoughts had wandered far from the subject--to the pain of Master Liu's glowing brand searing her flesh [...] (75).
1 comment:
Mr. Darcy? A racist? Nope. I refuse to believe it. And there is no reason you have to either. HE'S MR. DARCY FOR CHRISSAKES. He can do wrong (other than his douchiness in the beginning).
And there were many, many people during that time period who were against slavery and imperialism, who felt racism immoral. Why not Elizabeth and Darcy? I mean, there are zombies in this version too. Liberties have been taken.
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