Musical Narrative Transcendence: Elizabeth Bennet’s Theme as Narrative Device in Joe Wright’s Pride & Prejudice (2005)

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2021-02-08
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en
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In this thesis, the narrative qualities of composer Dario Marianelli’s music for the film Pride & Prejudice (2005) is examined. Particularly, the research aims at establishing how Marianelli’s music embodies director Joe Wright’s vision for the adaptation of Jane Austen’s novel as one that specifically focalizes main character Elizabeth Bennet’s experience, both musically and semiotically. In order to do this, leitmotiv analysis is employed on the musical theme connected to Elizabeth Bennet’s character. Following the idea of the musical motif as a transcendent, evolving, and narrative entity within the film, the question that is posed, is how Elizabeth’s musical theme narrates her character’s story, emotions, and character development. The theme is first identified throughout the film, and then analyzed in more detail and in connection to the image-track to determine its technical (musical) qualities and semiotic significance. Thus, this research effectively combines the fields of musicology and film studies.
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Faculteit der Letteren