Sense and Sensibility
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Do you think Downton Abbey is similar to Austen?
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I guess it's possible to think this if you've just started watching Downton Abbey, since the first season is actually quite good (relatively speaking) and has a certain degree of wit. But on the whole, after seeing all three seasons, I can't see any resemblance between the two beyond the obvious superficial similarities, i.e. period drama about priviliged British people. Downton Abbey has a larger scope than Jane Austen's books: DA is about the working class servants as well as the upper class masters; it's about major social and political changes brought about in the 1910s and 20s, especially due to World War I; it's about the changing views of gender and social class; and so on. None of these themes are seen in Jane Austen's books, which concentrate on a much more static world, and mainly on the upper-middle class world that Jane herself knew. Political and social developments are almost completely absent.
On the other hand, DA is very much a soap opera, with crazy, improbable events happening just to serve the plot (such as a possible missing heir with amnesia, or a paraplegic man suddenly able to walk again) and huge helpings of melodrama. JA's books are more about character interactions and relationships, and the few melodramatic events that do occur evolve naturally from the established personalities of the characters (such as Lydia eloping with Wickham), and not as improbable plot contrivances.
And last, but far from the least, JA is an incredibly witty and shrewd observer of human nature. DA loses what little wit it had in the second season, and Julian Fellowes (its writer) often seems to be unable to understand the basics of how human beings function.
Mitali wrote: "I guess it's possible to think this if you've just started watching Downton Abbey, since the first season is actually quite good (relatively speaking) and has a certain degree of wit. But on the wh..."
Agreed. Also might I add, DA centers around some controversial topics, very few of which are found in Austen's writings. It does seem as if Fellowes is starting to lose grasp of character development and the story line. Austen hardly ever seemed to do that. :)
Agreed. Also might I add, DA centers around some controversial topics, very few of which are found in Austen's writings. It does seem as if Fellowes is starting to lose grasp of character development and the story line. Austen hardly ever seemed to do that. :)
Similar only when they speak about some aspects of middle class British folks. Downton Abbey covers both the Downstairs and the Upstairs: the servants and their masters.Austen writing writer is shy compared to the issues in Downton Abbey.
Elsie wrote: "I've started to watch Downton, and I absolutely adore it.It's likened to many of Austen's works, and I think it is in many ways. Except of course,the time period. And likely other aspects too. So ..."
I only watched the first series and half of the second of DA as it all got a little far fetched for me. It really didn't have many similarities to Jane Austen as far as I could see. If however you are looking for something that does have some similarities I highly recommend North and South. The book was by Elizabeth Gaskell and the BBC did an excellent adaptation of it in 2004 (I think). I promise that if you love Austen you will love this. Mr Thornton is every bit as sexy as Mr Darcy
Oh yeah, I think I remembered watching it like 5-6 years ago. Must rewatch it.
Elsie wrote: "Oh yeah, I think I remembered watching it like 5-6 years ago. Must rewatch it." Well worth a re-watch, in fact I've convinced myself to do just that!
No, not at all. Different time, no wonderful satire, conversations on DA are much more contrived than JA would ever write, etc. I like DA's first season, but it got too ridiculous in the second. No, Jane has never made me shake my head and think, "What was she thinking??" like the writers of DA have.
I'm just one ep away from finishing season 2. I don't think it filled me with as much excitement as the first season, but I don't find it too bad. It still is good. At least in my opinion. I hope the third season is a bit better? No spoilers please....
Yet I do agree. While Austen's works do come off as slightly too slow for an all-too-modern reader like me, she's definitely a master writer. I would like to see HER direct some movies, as a matter of fact. Nowadays though, her stories seem so cliche just because so many have copied her concepts.
Yet I do agree. While Austen's works do come off as slightly too slow for an all-too-modern reader like me, she's definitely a master writer. I would like to see HER direct some movies, as a matter of fact. Nowadays though, her stories seem so cliche just because so many have copied her concepts.
There's about a century difference in the settings, so that makes a huge difference.
Mitali wrote: "I guess it's possible to think this if you've just started watching Downton Abbey, since the first season is actually quite good (relatively speaking) and has a certain degree of wit. But on the wh..."I completely agree. I really like Downton, but it doesn't have that Austen wit. Her snappy wit is one of her most definitive characteristics, in writing...This is off topic...But, the music on Downton, the theme song playing over and over, is so redundant and annoying. Don't they understand that the soundtrack plays a huge role in leading the audience into and out of a scene?
No, no Lizzie Bennet´s sharp tongue and ready replies in DA, although i loved both 1st and 2nd season.Jane Austen focus more on middle class (which she so well knew) and DA covers both masters and servants.
3rd season left a bad taste in my mouth....i wonder how they will do 4th, how will they fit the changes on the cast/plotlines.
Austen wrote almost nothing about the servants.
deleted user wrote: "I've started to watch Downton, and I absolutely adore it.It's likened to many of Austen's works, and I think it is in many ways. Except of course,the time period. And likely other aspects too. So ..."
I love J A but could not watch Downton. The wit in J A cannot be matched by the script of Downton. I don't watch any soaps. I am much more eclectic in my reading however, than in my watching of TV, so probably not typical.
Austen writes about a society (the landed gentry) that was in its prime in the late 1700s. Downton could be seen as showing the death twitches of that society.
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It's likened to many of Austen's works, and I think it is in many ways. Except of course,the time period. And likely other aspects too. So what do you think? Are they similar and if so in what way?