Choose one of the following two options:
1. Pick a situation and a setting of your choice and write a pastiche of Jane Austen. Decide on your purpose beforehand (humorous, satirical, earnest) and make sure your tone is consistent throughout. I will be looking for these elements of Austen’s style (among others that you may choose to incorporate): the skill of the “miniaturist,” free indirect discourse, wit, subtext, and/or irony. You will also want to replicate elements of the social world of Pride and Prejudice and reflect some of its thematic concerns. This pastiche need not be long—between a half-page and a single page, typed and double-spaced, will suffice—but I am looking for careful attention to detail, tone, and choice of words.
Pastiche is a French word for a PARODY or LITERARY IMITATION. Although the intent is often humorous (ranging from witty satire to gentle, affectionate ribbing), the writer of pastiche sincerely imitates the style, technique, and themes of a writer or work they wish to parody (so there is an element of tribute or homage, as well as parody). The reader should be able to recognize distinctive features of the author’s style in the pastiche.
The Austen Style Sheets I handed out will be particularly helpful to you for this assignment.
2. Pick a particular episode or passage from Pride and Prejudice and transpose it into a modern American context and a contemporary American idiom of your choice. One of your primary goals in writing a transposition will be to create a unified whole that makes sense; I am not asking simply for a passage from Pride and Prejudice translated into contemporary American English. I am looking for a believable transfer of style and theme from one place and period to another and for an authentic American idiom to accompany it. At the top of your paper, clearly identify the chapter and volume you draw your passage from. One double-spaced page should suffice, but don’t curtail your work until you’ve accomplished what you set out to achieve. Again, I am not looking for quantity, but for quality and attention to details.
Here is a fun transposition of Pride and Prejudice for your entertainment.
Due in class Wednesday, February 1. You will have the opportunity to share your pastiche or transposition in class.
