Lady Chatterly Discussion

So in relation to what we discussed about Lady Chatterly in class I'd like to focus on a few points made that I thought were interesting. The first is that many people were describing Constance and Clifford's relationship as "traditional" but as two classmates pointed out, this is simply one perspective.


One classmate from Delhi pointed out that our view of their relationship is one that is a Western and American idea of traditional. Another classmate grew up in America, but in a household full of women so his perspective on this relationship that Constance is breaking free from wasn't that it was a traditional kind of situation. I think people expect that automatically Constance and Parkin being together because they fall in love would still be a kind of abnormal situation because of our own society's views on relationships. As the other students pointed out the ideals of love and relationships might not be so universal even though one of the main themes of the film is nature. I mention nature just because it seems like "the natural way to be" that would be universal.

Seeing the earlier version of Lady Chatterly's Lover was very funny. Immediately the class started laughing when the main menu of the DVD appeared because it featured Constance and Parkin who, in this version of the film are blonde, above average looking and giving the camera smoldering looks of desire. It brought to mind how subtle the French version of the film is.

                                                            Who are they looking at?

In Lady Chatterly (2007), the social and economic divides are important. However, in the 1993 serial these themes are beaten into the viewers minds as if we are not capable of inferring ideas presented to us in a less obvious manner. Perhaps because it was a made for TV film it was taken into consideration how the average viewer might be doing things with the TV on. So to make up for perhaps a less critical viewer, the creators of the film were less concerned with artistry and provoking thought.

The 1993 version of the film lays out the themes and characters on a silver platter with no room for interpretation. They are completely formed as characters and not as people. This approach not only gives the appearance of a soap opera but also distances the work from the audience. How could one possibly relate to this Constance, and this Parkin? Sure it's entertaining to watch an affair blossom but these shortcomings date the work and encourage disbelief in the story it's presenting.

-Claudia