Classic Characters in the Modern World: Imagining Their Lives in 2024

Reading classic novels often leave us with an exciting and warm feeling. It is very fun to be transported back in time hundreds of years ago and explore worlds that are very different from our time. Despite how long ago these stories took place we often find ourselves relating to the characters. We support them whenever they are facing a problem and cheer for them when they find their happily ever after or find ourselves in despair when they have a tragic ending. It is also exciting to imagine how these characters would act if their stories took place during our time. While the theme of their stories would stay the same It is interesting to imagine what these characters would do differently in 2024. Let's take a look at the following characters would be different if their stories took place in our time: 

1. The Great Gatsby 

The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, a beautiful cautionary tale, about a man who goes to extreme lengths to win the affection of the woman he loves; a woman who is already married to another man. The Great Gatsby, takes place during the roaring 20s and follows Jay Gatsby, a man who has inquired money through some questionable means and now wants to live a life of luxury. Gatsby has a strong desire to be accepted by the upper class society and wants to win the heart of Daisy Buchanan, a woman he has been in love with since his youth. Gatsby hosts elaborate parties in the hopes of Daisy attending them and falling in love with him. 

If Gatsby’s story took place today I think he would do things a little differently. The novel makes it clear that he got his wealth through some shady ways and that he is determined to stay rich and be accepted by the upper class. I think Gatsby would be heavily involved in trading crypto and would even be selling online courses to make more money. I also think Gatsby would be very active on social media. He would still host his fancy and elaborate parties and would make sure to snap them and instagram them. I also think he would use TikTok to get the word around about his party and to make sure that Daisy knows about them. Thanks to Social Media I think Gatsby would have an easier time getting Daisy’s attention and faking his wealth.

2. Emma

The 1800s Emma by Jane Austin has been loved and studied in English classes for years. While the 1995 film Clueless gives a modern version of Emma through the adventures of teenage Cher I think Emma’s story would look a little different in 2024. Emma has a passion for matchmaking at the very start of the book she introduces Miss Taylor to Mr. Watson takes credit for their marriage. I believe that Emma could still have a lot of fun as a wingwoman during the 21st century and she would find matchmaking a lot easier. I can see Emma creating dating app profiles for her friends to help them meet their perfect match. She would help her friends select the perfect pictures for their profile and would help them send out their first messages. I can also see her taking her friends out to clubs and talking to people for them. I also see her advertising her matchmaking skills online and getting clients after talking about her success as a matchmaker. I think Emma would thrive in 2024 doing what she loved.

3. Romeo and Juliet 

The beloved and tragic tale of Romeo and Juliet has been read and studied for centuries now. The Shakespeare tale about star crossed lovers has had many adaptations throughout the years, many resulting in the original tragic ending. However, I see Romeo and Juliet’s story a little lighter and very different if it took place during 2024. Thanks to technology and social media Romeo and Juliet would have an easier time communicating with each other in secret. They could text, snapchat, and email each other without their parents knowing. Unless their parents would check their locations they could also plan to meet in secret. Like most modern teenagers I also see both Romeo and Juliet lying to their parents about their whereabouts. 

While I also see them attempting to escape modern technology would make it difficult for them to do so. Since they were both underage, if they did escape their parents could send out amber alerts for them and have the whole city looking out for them. They would also make social media posts about them making their escape incredibly difficult. Since they did have an age gap Juliet being 13 and Romeo being 16 with more support that young people have now I see them coming to their senses and breaking up for the time being to focus on middle school and high school. However, I do see them reconnecting in a few years when they are both adults and no longer under their family’s control.

4. Rapunzel 

Rapunzel: the 1812 tale about a beautiful young woman with golden blonde hair held in captivity by an evil sorceress. If Rapunzel’s story took place in 2024 I can still see the magic aspect of the story but with a modern twist. I see Rapunzel’s parents posting on social media about the disappearance of her daughter. In the Disney adaption of Rapunzel, Tangled, Rapunzel’s parents release lanterns into the sky of her birthday as a symbol of love and hope for her safe return. If Rapunzel’s story took place today I can see her parents sending out balloons into the sky and speaking to news channels every year to ask for her safe return. 

When the prince stumbles upon Rapunzel’s tower he is immediately smitten with her and with her golden hair. When the evil sorceress finds out about the prince she is very angry and banishes Rapunzel into the woods. In the original Rapunzel when the prince returns looking for Rapunzel the sorceress tricks the prince into thinking Rapunzel is still in the tower by letting down her hair Rapunzel’s chopped off hair. The prince then falls out of the tower in despair and loses his vision which is later restored by Rapunzel’s tears when they are reunited. If Rapunzel took place in 2024 I can see the prince making social media announcements in various platforms talking about Rapunzel and the sorceress. I can see him showing proof, like recording the sorceress when she isn’t looking and eventually leading to her arrest. When Rapunzel and the prince are reunited I can also see Rapunzel teaming up with hair product companies on social media because so many girls would want hair just like hers.