Rumors and Gawking: How Women Judge Men -- A Look at the Literary Female Gaze and Narration in Pride and Prejudice and its Modern-Day Adaptations

The presentation aims to discuss the ways in which women view men in chick lit, specifically centering on Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice and its adaptations set in the modern day. I argue that these novels fall into the... [ view full abstract ]

The presentation aims to discuss the ways in which women view men in chick lit, specifically centering on Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice and its adaptations set in the modern day. I argue that these novels fall into the category of chick lit, and that, despite criticisms of the genre, chick lit plays an important role in the broadening of the literary canon. In particular, I will analyze the use of the Literary Female Gaze throughout these works, especially through character introductions, rumors, and gossip. My research also touches upon the ways that modern chick lit authors adopt and adapt Austen’s techniques to achieve similar goals. Discussed works include Epic Fail by Claire LaZebnik, Bridget Jones’s Diary by Helen Fielding, Austenland by Shannon Hale, and The Girl from Summer Hill by Jude Deveraux.