Friday, November 16, 2007

Persuasion (2007) Part I



This is a clip from the recent remaking of Persuasion. It is only five minutes long, but if you want to watch the entire clip then you would have to download it.

I found this clip to really enforce the post I made last time about Anne's character. The clip opens up with Anne running through the household, making sure everything is order. As you know, Anne is not the eldest daughter and should not have to shoulder the responsibilities as the lady of the house. However, she is the only one capable of running the house because her sister and father would have ran the house to the ground.

Throughout the clip, Anne character is obviously portrayed as responsible but with a closer analysis, the clip exposes Anne's character within the first few glances.

In comparison to her sister Elizabeth, Anne's wardrobe screams modest and faded looks. Her hairstyle is pulled in a simple bun while her sister has a more intricate style that would have required more time for preparation. Through something as simple as a hairstyle, the author is able to see that Anne is more reasonable in spending than her sister is. This is so because, in the midst of a financial crises, Anne has given up many luxury, such as a more expensive maid with a vast knowledge on fashionable hairstyle.

And through further inspection, you would notice that Anne's wardrobe is, for the lack of a better word, drab. The cloth is faded and the colors are unflattering, while her sister and father wear clothing of the latest fashion and fitted with perfection. From this impression, the audience can clearly see who had given up the most for the family and from this, Anne's signature characteristic is her unselfish nature.

Other factors the displays Anne's character is her expressive movements. The actress, Sally Hawkins, make sure to keep her eyes downcast and always in a submissive form when around her father or sister. This shows how Anne has become withdrawn from being ignored and overlooked by her family.

As shown in this clip and by the previous post, Anne is, in a sense, an unselfish girl that holds an enormous amount of pressure to keep her family afloat.

However, do you think this makes her a stronger character? By letting others walk all over her and disregarding her feelings? What do you think?

3 comments:

Timothy P 3 said...

[As promised, I will reply to your future posts in a less formal/analytical way]

First off, in your post, you asked,

"However, do you think this makes her a stronger character? By letting others walk all over her and disregarding her feelings? What do you think?"

Are these questions directed to me?

[Second, I find that your grammatical/structural technique almost flawless. Great job!]

Also, I like how you analized an out side source (the video clip) as well as the book that you were reading.

Now for the content, I agree with you about Anne. From what is shown in the clip, Anne is shown to be more of a selfless/self-restricted character than her sister and father. Although this maybe true, she has the arura of being burdened by her huge responsibilities. There fore, I fully see eye to eye with you about Anne's character.

Suggestions: Keep it up, Peggy!

Other: Very great music, every song reflects a different side of your topic, from the music of the era to the passion that is communicated from the novel to the audience... don't change it! =)

thatbeGen said...

peggy, i was suddenly compelled to read your blog-mostly because i ditched you for Kid Nation, but here.

I really like how every characteristic you described was paralled with one of her sister's or father's. It helps a reader who isn't reading your blog to put everything your saying into perspective. Also, to answer your question, 'cause yah, i think it need some answering by your readers. I feel that, it doesn't make her stronger, in fact, it makes her seem weaker to the reader. Although through analysis, one may decide that by putting others first, especially in the face of "financial crisis" she is strong and selfless nature, I feel that on the surface, she is using these facts-the money, the fact tah her sister will always outshine her, her selflessness, just as a shield, as if she's afraid to put herself out there in the same way that Elizabeth does, she is just hiding her own fears and weaknesses behind the facade of saintliness (I think I made that word up, but you get the picture). That or I could be completly wrong...just thought I'd leave you a thought.

Peggy O3 said...

Aww...thanks Timmy. And yes, those questions are directed at you...

Did you actually look through ALL of my music?