Pride and Prejudice, but in Space
The 2018 fan YouTube video, “mr. darcy & elizabeth + ben & rey ॥ all i see” [watch] exemplifies the creativity of Austen-loving, popular culture consumers. A marriage of Star Wars’ Rey and Kylo Ren with Pride and Prejudice’s Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy, the 1:05 cut juxtaposes Mr. Darcy’s marriage proposal with Kylo’s invitation to join him in the First Order.
- Darcy, framed in pouring rain, addresses Elizabeth: “Ms. Bennet…”
- Elizabeth looks on skeptically.
- Cuts to Kylo, surrounded by burning rubble falling from the sky, saying, “Rey…”
- Cuts to Rey looking guarded.
- Kylo continues with his hand outstretched, “I want you to join me.”
- Rey looks at Kylo guardedly.
- Rey’s face fades into a clip of Elizabeth looking offended as Kylo narrates, “You have no place in this world, do you? You come from nothing.”
- Cuts back to Kylo, “You’re nothing.”
These scenes appear visually and metaphorically similar. How do the isolated setting, weather conditions, and modest clothing signal intimacy and confidentiality? Did Darcy and Kylo intend these interactions to be private, believing this would improve their chances of acceptance? (Spoiler Alert: both men’s proposals are rejected) Isolated from the influence of their peers, Elizabeth and Rey independently choose to reject values which they did not personally believe, highlighting their integrity and self-determination. By refusing Darcy’s marriage proposal, Elizabeth rejects class hierarchy and patriarchy. By declining Kylo’s invitation to join the First Order, Rey challenges an oppressive value system. Rey’s destiny to restore balance to the universe seems similar to the purpose Austen envisioned for Elizabeth to elevate women to equals in society as men.
Picking up at 1:18,
- Elizabeth looks confused as Darcy narrates, “But I’m willing to put that aside and ask you to end my agony.”
- Cuts to Kylo saying, “But not to me.”
- Returns to Rey looking angry with tears streaming down her face.
- Back to Darcy, “Please do me the honor of accepting my hand.”
- Cuts to Kylo outstretching his black, gloved hand.
- Fades to Darcy’s face.
- Cuts to Rey’s face on the verge of tears, and fades into Elizabeth’s tear-filled face.
- Darcy walks away from Elizabeth.
- Fades to Rey and Kylo blown apart by a force interaction.
This clip identifies how Kylo and Darcy viewed Rey and Elizabeth as both “[coming] from nothing”. The power of this parallel lies in how their seeming insignificance to larger systems such as high society and the First Order makes their rejection of these systems so powerful. Rey’s offer of union is not as gendered as Elizabeth’s, as it isn’t a proposal. Rey’s situation makes her more of a modern feminist. Modern feminist values advocate for the equality of all sexes and all people. Rey’s rejection of Kylo’s oppressive system of values is empowering to all people, from all galaxies who would be oppressed by the First Order. This social commentary about the value in fighting for freedom of belief and equality for all people is in line with Austen’s vision. Will we always need an Austen heroine to stand up to oppression and condemn authoritarian systems?
Each comparison or “unit of meaning” starts with Pride and Prejudice and follows with Star Wars clips. This sequence suggests that the video is encouraging viewers to see Star Wars in a new light as it starts with the familiar (Pride and Prejudice), and encourages a transformative viewing of the Star Wars clips that follow.
The frequent transitions between the two films make them appear as one narrative, which is enhanced by the song “All I See” by Lydia playing continuously. Using consistent music with each juxtaposition combined with editing encourages a transformative viewing, knitting both stories together with the common theme of two emotionally complex people growing to understand each other, as reflected in the lyrics of “All I See”. In sum, this clip makes a case for Austen’s values adapted to another fandom.
Notes:
Jujurevu. (2019, January 03). A Scene Analysis: The Interrogation of Rey. Retrieved February 02, 2021, from https://jujurevu.wordpress.com/2018/02/14/a-scene-analysis-the-interrogation-of-rey/
Lexie, A. [Alexa Lexie]. (2018, April 8). Mr. darcy & elizabeth + ben & rey॥ all i see [video]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUKcvUhi5Bo
