'Pride' In Modern Day Bushwick | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Arts Entertainment

'Pride' Is The Pride and Prejudice Remix For Brooklyn Natives

A modern day Jane Austen adaptation set in Bushwick, Brooklyn

272
'Pride' Is The Pride and Prejudice Remix For Brooklyn Natives

"Pride" by Ibi Zoboi is a modern adaptation of the novel "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen. Since it is a shorter book than the original, some scenes were not adapted and the sequences of events are sped up and pushed together a little bit.

The Bennett family is represented by the Benitezes in Pride: Mrs. Benitez is Haitian and Mr. Benitez is Dominican, with five daughters Janae, Zuri, Marisol, Layla, and Kayla. The five girls all share a bedroom in their small apartment in the Bushwick neighborhood of Brooklyn, which is primarily African-American and Hispanic.

The story starts off when the building across from Zuri's is renovated into a mini-mansion, and the rich Darcy family, consisting of brothers Ainsley and Darius and their parents, move in from Manhattan. At the same time, Janae, the oldest sister is returning from her first year at Syracuse University, as a much worldlier person who is eager to study abroad her next year. As soon as their father gives them permission to go visit the new neighbors, the two eldest girls go over to introduce themselves. Ainsley and Janae are instantly attracted to each other, but Zuri thinks Darius seems rude and unfriendly. This impression is later confirmed when he seemed disgusted by Layla and Kayla trying to dance with him at a block party.

The theme of gentrification is woven into this story to reflect what's really happening in real-life areas like this and also to provide a housing-related crisis that was omnipotent in the original book. Since women weren't allowed to own property in Regency-era England, the girls in "Pride and Prejudice" were in danger of losing their house should the father die to their cousin Mr. Collins. The prices of the buildings in Zuri's neighborhood are slowly going up as more and more well-off people are interested in moving in, and the threat of them being priced out of their apartment looms over their heads.

Zuri also gets to meet the fan-favorite in every adaptation, the Georgiana character, while on a trip to DC. Knowing that it's Zuri's dream to attend historically black college Howard University, Janae buys her a bus ticket so she can take a tour there. After her tour, she runs into Darius at a cafe, who is in DC visiting his sister Georgie, who interns there. Zuri immediately likes Georgie and thinks that she would fit in with her and her sisters, and Georgie invites Zuri to have dinner with them and their grandmother.

In "Pride", Catherine de Burgh takes the form of Darcy's grandmother, who is snobby and doesn't hide her dislike for Zuri after learning where she is from. Zuri leaves the dinner early after telling the grandmother off, and Darius offers to drive her back to Bushwick, rather than have her take the late bus. During the drive home they talk and get to know each other, and Zuri finds that she might like him more than she thought.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

12 Midnight NYE: Fun Ideas!

This isn't just for the single Pringles out there either, folks

12550
Friends celebrating the New Years!
StableDiffusion

When the clock strikes twelve midnight on New Year's Eve, do you ever find yourself lost regarding what to do during that big moment? It's a very important moment. It is the first moment of the New Year, doesn't it seem like you should be doing something grand, something meaningful, something spontaneous? Sure, many decide to spend the moment on the lips of another, but what good is that? Take a look at these other suggestions on how to ring in the New Year that are much more spectacular and exciting than a simple little kiss.

Keep Reading...Show less
piano
Digital Trends

I am very serious about the Christmas season. It's one of my favorite things, and I love it all from gift-giving to baking to the decorations, but I especially love Christmas music. Here are 11 songs you should consider adding to your Christmas playlists.

Keep Reading...Show less
campus
CampusExplorer

New year, new semester, not the same old thing. This semester will be a semester to redeem all the mistakes made in the previous five months.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

Let's face it, last semester you woke up with enough time to brush your teeth and get to class and even then you were about 10 minutes late and rollin' in with some pretty unfortunate bed head. This semester we will set our alarms, wake up with time to get ready, and get to class on time!

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

The 5 Painfully True Stages Of Camping Out At The Library

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

2102
woman reading a book while sitting on black leather 3-seat couch
Photo by Seven Shooter on Unsplash

And so it begins.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

Camping out at the library is not for the faint of heart. You need to go in as a warrior. You usually have brought supplies (laptop, chargers, and textbooks) and sustenance (water, snacks, and blanket/sweatpants) since the battle will be for an undetermined length of time. Perhaps it is one assignment or perhaps it's four. You are motivated and prepared; you don’t doubt the assignment(s) will take time, but you know it couldn’t be that long.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

The 14 Stages Of The Last Week Of Class

You need sleep, but also have 13 things due in the span of 4 days.

1309
black marker on notebook

December... it's full of finals, due dates, Mariah Carey, and the holidays. It's the worst time of the year, but the best because after finals, you get to not think about classes for a month and catch up on all the sleep you lost throughout the semester. But what's worse than finals week is the last week of classes, when all the due dates you've put off can no longer be put off anymore.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments