Bridget Jones's Diary

The Desire for Self-Improvement is given a more ominous cast in this section of the novel as Fielding continues to explore the harmful effects of diet culture. This trend becomes most prominent when Tom is shocked by Bridget’s intimate knowledge of the caloric content of specific foods. While Bridget is under the mistaken impression that people inherently know this information, her friend’s surprise emphasizes the unhealthy depths to which her obsession with losing weight has taken her. Fielding therefore argues that British women have been indoctrinated by the pervasive nature of diet culture. However, rather than blaming Bridget for her obsessive focus on caloric intake, Fielding implies that this fixation is the result of a systemic problem, and this impression is strengthened by Bridget’s conviction that her ability to count and track calories is mirrored by the other women in her life, for she staunchly insists, “I am normal and no different from everyone else, i.e. Sharon and Jude” (258).

The Importance of Friendship in Challenging Times is illustrated when Jude attempts to cheer Bridget up before the Darcys’ party. The shift in Bridget’s tone after Jude’s visit is evident, as is her gratitude for her friend when she admits that she loves Jude and asserts that “[g]irls are so much nicer than men” (227). However, although Bridget clearly relies upon her friends’ support to maintain her equilibrium in an uncertain world, a more sinister aspect of the friendship group emerges when Bridget resentfully reflects on Tom’s newfound happiness with Jerome after a period of tension and discord. As she admits to herself, “I hate it when Tom is happy, confident, and getting on well with Jerome, much preferring it when he is miserable, insecure and neurotic” (289). Her attitude reveals that there is a level of dysfunction in her relationships with her friends, for her comments suggest that she is codependent and takes a toxic view of Tom’s more successful relationship moments. Instead of being happy for Tom, Bridget wishes that her friend would remain just as single and unhappy as she is, for this would validate her own unhappiness and mitigate her frustration over her single status. Bridget’s insecurity about herself therefore engenders jealousy and self-centeredness; she is unable to wish her friends well when they are enjoying the relationship satisfaction that continues to elude her.

As Bridget begins to gravitate more strongly toward Mark, the intertextuality between Fielding’s novel and Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice takes on a more prominent role, and the connection becomes particularly overt when Bridget watches the BBC adaptation of Austen’s classic novel. In this context, her wish for Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth to be together mirrors Fielding’s intention to pair Bridget with Mark. Furthermore, Mark’s efforts to save Pam from Julio represent a satirical modernization of the original Mr. Darcy’s attempts to save Lydia Wickham from disgrace with Mr. Wickham in Pride and Prejudice. Like Mr. Wickham, Julio is rakish and deceitful, and he exploits his friends and connections for financial gain. As Mr. Darcy does in Pride and Prejudice, Mark tracks down the villain and brings him to account, thereby proving himself to be the true hero of the narrative.

In this same vein, Mark also subverts many of the Sexist Attitudes in Contemporary Dating by proving himself to be capable, responsible, and kind. He therefore operates as a foil to Julio and to Daniel, Bridget’s other romantic interest, and when Mark ultimately chooses to date Bridget, the protagonist finally receives her storybook ending. As in the classic novel, Mark appreciates Bridget’s genuine, spontaneous nature and admires her willingness to speak her mind. This dynamic is illustrated when Bridget makes impulsive decisions at the Darcys’ wedding anniversary party, testing the terracotta absorption miracle and dancing in the garden. Her whimsical impulsivity and authenticity appear odd to some but prove to be attractive to Mark, who reflects: “[A]ll the other girls I know are so lacquered over” (237). Ironically, it is Bridget’s unvarnished uniqueness, not her misguided attempts to conform, that ultimately renders her the ideal romantic match for Mark. Whereas Mark’s initial date, Natasha, is described as appearing “in a stunning gold satin sheath” (230) that accentuates her contrived version of beauty, Bridget’s spontaneity and ultimate failure to conform actually works in her favor, for her demeanor contrasts with the expected meticulous approach that the women around her bring to social situations.