The Accents of Jocelyn in 'City of Bones' and 'Shadowhunters'
Many fans of Cassandra Clare's The Mortal Instruments series have debated the accents assigned to characters in the film and TV adaptation. A notable discussion surrounds Jocelyn, the mother of Clary, and her British accent in The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones. Why did the creators choose to give Jocelyn a British accent, and how does this align with the original characters in the books?
Idris and the British Accent
In the film The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, Jocelyn is portrayed as a Shadowhunter with a distinct British accent. This choice reflects the fact that in the Mortal Instruments novel, the Shadowhunter city of Idris is located somewhere in Europe. Idris serves as the Shadowhunter capital, and the creators chose to use a British accent as a basis for the accent of its inhabitants. Since Jocelyn is a Shadowhunter and was raised in Idris, it makes sense for the film to give her the Idrisian accent.
The British accent is a logical choice because it sets a clear cultural context for the Shadowhunter community, particularly the capital city of Idris. However, it is worth noting that Jocelyn's origin in the books is slightly different. According to the novel, Jocelyn is actually from England.
Contradictions in the Adaptation
The TV series Shadowhunters also makes several changes to the characters, including altering Jocelyn's origin to an American background. This change raises questions about the consistency between the film and the series, especially regarding the character of Jocelyn. While the creators of the TV show chose to localize her accent to an American one, this deviates from the source material.
Some fans argue that maintaining the British accent in Jocelyn aligns more closely with the cultural background established in the books. However, fans also express dissatisfaction with the film adaptation, citing it as a letdown compared to the quality of the books. They often opt to watch the Netflix series Shadowhunters instead, which offers a more fleshed-out character development and consistent storytelling based on the source material.
The View from the Audience
Despite the changes and differences, the debate about Jocelyn's accent highlights the importance of consistency in adapting books to film and TV. Audience members often crave a level of authenticity that aligns with the source material, not just in terms of story and character development but also in small details like accents.
While personal opinions may vary, it is clear that both the film and series have their loyal fans. The film, for instance, attracted viewers who might not have read the books, but still appreciated the visual and emotional stories. On the other hand, the TV series Shadowhunters brought more depth to the stories, characters, and overall narrative, making it a favorite for many fans.
In conclusion, Jocelyn's British accent in The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones was a deliberate choice to align with the established cultural context of Shadowhunters from Idris. However, the adaptation's discrepancies with the books and the series might have led to confusion and disappointment for fans. Regardless, the discussion around Jocelyn's accent underscores the unique aspects of each adaptation and the importance of maintaining coherence for fans of the original work.