On the eighth day of Fantastic Beasts, my true love said to me... Are we all fools in love?
Welcome to day 8 of the 12 Days of Fantastic Beasts! When Charlotte questioned Lizzie in Pride and Prejudice (the film), Are we all fools in love? she was foretelling the actions of at least two sets of couples: Lizzie and Mr. Darcy, and Jane and Mr. Bingley. But could she have perhaps seen even further into the future to another set of parallel couples? Scroll below for another section from Fantastic Secrets Behind Fantastic Beasts.
SPOILERS ABOUND! DO NOT PROCEED IF YOU HAVE NOT YET SEEN THE MOVIE OR READ THE SCRIPT BOOK!
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| Runespoor by Kayla Perkinson |
In a section from my newly released book, Fantastic Secrets Behind Fantastic Beasts, I examine how Rowling hints at one of her favorite authors, Jane Austen, through teasingly naming the banker Mr. Bingley:
A Tale of Two Bingleys
The most intriguing aspect about Bingley at this point is his name, and the fact that he is important enough to name in the script. If he is a link to the Mr. Bingley of Pride and Prejudice knowing Rowling is a huge Austen fan, what does his name signify? Is it a nod to Austen’s well-loved character, or to a theme of her classic novel?
One possible link I see between Fantastic Beasts and Pride and Prejudice is the development of two parallel love stories: Newt with Tina and Queenie with Jacob. Could Mr. Bingley's meeting with Jacob be a tip of the hat from one secondary lead to his counterpart?
Jacob is a good-hearted fellow, like Bingley, and Queenie is “…the most beautiful girl ever to don witches’ robes” (p. 79). Austen's character Jane, Mr. Bingley's love interest, is considered a great beauty, her mother remarking, “I was sure you could not be so beautiful for nothing!” Indeed, when Jacob says “Mr. Bingley!” in the vault scene, you can almost hear Mrs. Bennett’s shrill cry. (I cover more of this parallel relationship later in the book.)
Finally, as if to make sure we noticed Mr. Bingley and remember him going forward, he appears at the end of Fantastic Beasts among the No-Maj having their memories washed clean. Mr. Bingley is in his shower, his wife nearby brushing her teeth. Clearly we are meant to remember the Bingleys.
Do you think that Rowling hinted at Pride and Prejudice merely as a tease? Or is she going for something more? What other elements of P&P do you see in Fantastic Beasts?
Be sure to check out all posts for the 12 Days of Fantastic Beasts!
About the Book:
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| Fantastic Secrets Behind Fantastic Beasts |
Explore JK Rowling's secrets, one clue at a time!
Fantastic Secrets Behind Fantastic Beasts is THE guide for all Fantastic Beast and Where to Find Them fans eager to experience anew the excitement of of finding clues and sharing speculation, just like they enjoyed during the height of the Harry Potter series. New fans will be amazed at the secrets lurking underneath the surface of Rowling's newest film. Diving deeply into the story's mysteries, S.P. Sipal offers a detailed analysis of the analogies, myths, and clues JK Rowling hid on screen and on page to charm her fans once again.
Discover and explore such questions as:
- Is there an Animagi hidden in the story?
- Why will there be FIVE movies?
- What secret is Modesty hiding?
- Did Frank wipe out ALL the memories from that fateful night?
- And was Grindelwald already in possession of the Elder Wand?
S.P. Sipal has analyzed the mysteries behind the Harry Potter series for over a dozen years. A sought-after presenter at fan, writing, and academic conferences both at home and abroad, her books have also delighted writers, teachers, and fans alike. Now she turns her expert attention to investigating the beginning of Rowling's exciting new series. Join her as she prepares you to dig into the layers of subtext yourself to claim what treasures await...before the Niffler beats you to it!
