'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

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

195800
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

18203
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

460383
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

28031
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments