Is Charles Dickens’s ‘Great Expectations’ Adaptation Too ‘Woke’?
The recent BBC adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic novel, Great Expectations, has sparked controversy amongst viewers, with many accusing the show of being too “woke.” The six-part drama, starring Olivia Colman as Miss Havisham, is the 18th adaptation of the novel for film and television. While some viewers have praised the adaptation for its modern interpretation of the story, others have criticized it for straying too far from the original plot.
Screenwriter Steven Knight, who adapted the novel for the screen, has defended his creative choices, stating that he tried to stay true to the original plot while also adding new scenes that explore themes alluded to in the novel but not explicitly written about. Knight explained that he wanted to imagine what Dickens would have done if he had the freedom to explore darker themes that were taboo in his time, such as sexuality and disobedience against the state.
However, a recent poll conducted by Daily Express shows that the majority of viewers, 85%, believe that the BBC’s adaptation of Great Expectations is too woke. 1017 people took part in the polls, 861 people, answering, “yes”, the BBC’s adaptation is too woke. Whereas 13 percent (129 people) said, “no”, it is not, and 27 people said they did not know.
Some viewers have even gone so far as to call the adaptation a “vandalism” of Dickens’ masterpiece, claiming that it is not an accurate portrayal of the novel.
Furious TV presenter Nick Knowles slammed the new BBC adaptation of Great Expectations saying it’s ‘unnecessarily salacious’ and ‘car crash’.
Despite the negative feedback, there are still some viewers who have enjoyed the series and believe that it will be an award winner for the BBC. However, even some of those who enjoyed the first episode have criticized later episodes as “ridiculous” and “absurd.”
This controversy highlights the ongoing debate around the concept of “woke” culture and its impact on art and media. While some believe that modern interpretations of classic works can bring new life and relevance to the story, others argue that such adaptations can undermine the original message and values of the work. Ultimately, the success of any adaptation will depend on its ability to balance creative license with faithfulness to the original story and characters.
