Bridget Jones's Diary; a comparitive between the book and the film.
Bridget Jones's Diary, written by Helen Fielding, is about Bridget Jones, a thirty-something 'spinster' who struggles to find exactly what she wants in life. Fielding's text, famous for being the beginning of the chick-lit genre, deals with the contrast between the contemporary career woman and the traditional house-wife. Ultimately Bridget Jones's Diary suggests that no woman is restricted by the era that they were born into. The film adaptation of the same name, made in 2001 and directed by Sharon Maguire, is a worthwhile adaptation, as it stayed closely to the main issues and themes of the book, while changing it in order to make a better viewing presentation.
Both Fielding's book and Maguire's movie Bridget Jones's Diary present a main issue of the story, that women long to escape the 'ideal' of a woman for their era. This is evident in relation to both Bridget and her mother Pam. Bridget, who was brought up in the feminist time, believing that a woman needs a career, not a man, really wants to break away from that type of lifestyle and become the 'traditional' wife. "Wonder where everybody is? I suppose they are all with their boyfriends or have gone home to their families. Anyway, chance to get things done...or they have families of own. Babies. Tiny fluffy children in pyjamas with pink cheeks looking at the Christmas tree excitedly." (pg297). She also tries to cook to impress her friends, and although she fails, it shows that she wants the ultimate characteristic of a wife. "Well done Bridge, 4 hours of careful cooking and a feast of blue soup, omelette and marmalade." (film). Bridget really wants a family, not a career.
Bridget's mother Pam, on the other hand, was brought up to believe in the traditional role of the woman, a house-wife who takes care of her husband, the children, and the household, but wants a more modern role, and wants a career. "'I want a career,' she [Pam] said. And some horrible mean part of me felt happy because I had a career.
Both Fielding's book and Maguire's movie Bridget Jones's Diary present a main issue of the story, that women long to escape the 'ideal' of a woman for their era. This is evident in relation to both Bridget and her mother Pam. Bridget, who was brought up in the feminist time, believing that a woman needs a career, not a man, really wants to break away from that type of lifestyle and become the 'traditional' wife. "Wonder where everybody is? I suppose they are all with their boyfriends or have gone home to their families. Anyway, chance to get things done...or they have families of own. Babies. Tiny fluffy children in pyjamas with pink cheeks looking at the Christmas tree excitedly." (pg297). She also tries to cook to impress her friends, and although she fails, it shows that she wants the ultimate characteristic of a wife. "Well done Bridge, 4 hours of careful cooking and a feast of blue soup, omelette and marmalade." (film). Bridget really wants a family, not a career.
Bridget's mother Pam, on the other hand, was brought up to believe in the traditional role of the woman, a house-wife who takes care of her husband, the children, and the household, but wants a more modern role, and wants a career. "'I want a career,' she [Pam] said. And some horrible mean part of me felt happy because I had a career.