---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I kind of muddled through 'Pride &…"
description: "\"I kind of muddled through 'Pride & Prejudice,' but with 'Atonement,' I knew what I was doing. That makes it sound like I had no doubt. I had doubts - I..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/34a/joe-wright-11581_doubt_i-kind-of-muddled-through-pride-prejudic_1972182.png"
---

#  I kind of muddled through 'Pride &amp; Prejudice,' but with…

![“I kind of muddled through 'Pride &amp; Prejudice,' but with 'Atonement,' I knew what I was doing. That makes it sound like I had no doubt. I had doubts - I didn't know whether it would work. But I knew exactly what I wanted to try to do.” quote by Joe Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/34a/joe-wright-11581_doubt_i-kind-of-muddled-through-pride-prejudic_1972182.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/34a/joe-wright-11581_doubt_i-kind-of-muddled-through-pride-prejudic_1972182.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/34a/joe-wright-11581_doubt_i-kind-of-muddled-through-pride-prejudic_1972182.png)

> “I kind of muddled through 'Pride &amp; Prejudice,' but with 'Atonement,' I knew what I was doing. That makes it sound like I had no doubt. I had doubts - I didn't know whether it would work. But I knew exactly what I wanted to try to do.”

[Joe Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-wright/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The speaker contrasts a vague experience with a novel to a confident, purposeful approach with another, highlighting uncertainty turning into clear intent.

**In simple terms:** Unclear first, then clear purpose.

Key Takeaway

Embrace uncertainty, then define your goal.

Themes

confidence uncertainty creative process

Mood

determined reflective

Type

advice personal narrative

When to use this quote

- writing a script
- making a film
- personal projects
- career decisions

Key Concepts

intentionality self‑awareness

Questions to Reflect On

- What project can you approach with clearer intent?
- How do you balance doubt and confidence?

A Different Perspective

Confidence may mask underlying doubts that can resurface later.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Doubt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doubt/) [Prejudice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prejudice/) [Pride](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pride/) [Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work/)

## Related quotes

> [“He had proved nothing, he had made no viable gesture of atonement, and he knew now that he probably never would. If he could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-yates/he-had-proved-nothing-he-had-made-no-viable-gesture-of-atonement-and/)

[Richard Yates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-yates/)

> [As the tide of feminism that crested two decades ago recedes and the old advance-and-retreat games of courtship return, "Pride &amp; Prejudice" speaks wistfully…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-holden/as-the-tide-of-feminism-that-crested-two-decades-ago-recedes-and-the/)

Stephen Holden

> [What on earth did you say to Isola? She stopped in on her way to pick up Pride and Prejudice and to berate me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-ann-shaffer/what-on-earth-did-you-say-to-isola-she-stopped-in-on-her-way-to-pick/)

[Mary Ann Shaffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-ann-shaffer/)

> [I feel that Pride and Prejudice is an incredibly well constructed novel on every level. The dialogue is great. The character development is great.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/curtis-sittenfeld/i-feel-that-pride-and-prejudice-is-an-incredibly-well-constructed/)

[Curtis Sittenfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/curtis-sittenfeld/)

> [Had Elizabeth Bennet known how wildly Darcy's heart beat for her, 'Pride and Prejudice' would barely have made it into a short story. Their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mariella-frostrup/had-elizabeth-bennet-known-how-wildly-darcy-s-heart-beat-for-her/)

[Mariella Frostrup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mariella-frostrup/)

> [“Can you put your hands on my crotch?” “Why, hell no, I cannot.” I didn’t remember anything like this happening in Pride and Prejudice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-echols/can-you-put-your-hands-on-my-crotch-why-hell-no-i-cannot-i-didn-t/)

[Jennifer Echols](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-echols/)

> [It's absurd to think of 'Pride and Prejudice,' this classic, beloved book, beset with a zombie uprising. The goal is to make you suspend…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-grahame-smith/it-s-absurd-to-think-of-pride-and-prejudice-this-classic-beloved-book/)

[Seth Grahame-Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-grahame-smith/)

> [“When The Journal of Words compiled its list of the one hundred best novels written in English, do you know that Pride and Prejudice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-thomas-ford/when-the-journal-of-words-compiled-its-list-of-the-one-hundred-best/)

[Michael Thomas Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-thomas-ford/)

> [“When I asked her what she'd thought of Pride and Prejudice, she only wondered aloud how anyone could have written a novel set in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-cooper/when-i-asked-her-what-she-d-thought-of-pride-and-prejudice-she-only/)

[Michelle Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-cooper/)

> [There isn't a book that has changed me, but I have favourites such as 'Pride and Prejudice' which I often re-read.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carolina-herrera/there-isn-t-a-book-that-has-changed-me-but-i-have-favourites-such-as/)

[Carolina Herrera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carolina-herrera/)

> [“As he walked out into the North Carolina sunshine, Lola's hand in his, a smile curved one corner of his lips. Not so long…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-gibson/as-he-walked-out-into-the-north-carolina-sunshine-lola-s-hand-in-his/)

[Rachel Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-gibson/)

> [“Of those of us who comprise the real clan of the book, who read not to judge the reading of others but to take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-quindlen/of-those-of-us-who-comprise-the-real-clan-of-the-book-who-read-not-to/)

[Anna Quindlen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-quindlen/)

> [“What am I to give the housemaids here? and do you object to my reading novels, if Lady Eskdale says there is no harm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-eden/what-am-i-to-give-the-housemaids-here-and-do-you-object-to-my-reading/)

[Emily Eden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-eden/)

> [“I wouldn’t have minded a rather more detailed conclusion (to Pride and Prejudice) — say, a twenty-page sex scene featuring the two principals, with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-wouldn-t-have-minded-a-rather-more-detailed-conclusion-to-pride-and/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“The celestial brightness of Pride and Prejudice is unequalled even in Jane Austen's other work; after a life of much disappointment and grief, in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-jenkins/the-celestial-brightness-of-pride-and-prejudice-is-unequalled-even-in/)

[Elizabeth Jenkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-jenkins/)

## More by Joe Wright

> [I'm very interested in dance, and I'm very interested in how people express themselves through movement. And of course, cinema is a kinetic art…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-wright/i-m-very-interested-in-dance-and-i-m-very-interested-in-how-people/)

[Joe Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-wright/)

> [I don't make a division between an art film and commercial art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-wright/i-don-t-make-a-division-between-an-art-film-and-commercial-art/)

[Joe Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-wright/)

> [Most actors hate the feeling of being handled.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-wright/most-actors-hate-the-feeling-of-being-handled/)

[Joe Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-wright/)

> [I like the idea of doing something outside my comfort zone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-wright/i-like-the-idea-of-doing-something-outside-my-comfort-zone/)

[Joe Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-wright/)

> [I consider all drama to be the opportunity to see the world from another person's point of view. That seems to be the point…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-wright/i-consider-all-drama-to-be-the-opportunity-to-see-the-world-from/)

[Joe Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-wright/)

> [I feel more in touch with the world when I'm filming.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-wright/i-feel-more-in-touch-with-the-world-when-i-m-filming/)

[Joe Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-wright/)

> [You need a pulse in a film. If I see a film that doesn't have rhythm, it's like listening to music that doesn't have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-wright/you-need-a-pulse-in-a-film-if-i-see-a-film-that-doesn-t-have-rhythm/)

[Joe Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-wright/)

> [I worked hard, but I was lucky the right people happened to see my work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-wright/i-worked-hard-but-i-was-lucky-the-right-people-happened-to-see-my-work/)

[Joe Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-wright/)

> [I've been wanting for some time to find a way of stylizing cinema and trying to get closer to the emotional story I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-wright/i-ve-been-wanting-for-some-time-to-find-a-way-of-stylizing-cinema-and/)

[Joe Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-wright/)

> [I don't ever want to go backwards, I quite like it. I like the freedom and I like the - What I set out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-wright/i-don-t-ever-want-to-go-backwards-i-quite-like-it-i-like-the-freedom/)

[Joe Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-wright/)

> [An artist needs to live to create, and to live means to suffer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-wright/an-artist-needs-to-live-to-create-and-to-live-means-to-suffer/)

[Joe Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-wright/)

> [With 'Atonement,' I put a lot of pressure on myself, and then I made an advert for Chanel, which 'broke the camel's back' emotionally.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-wright/with-atonement-i-put-a-lot-of-pressure-on-myself-and-then-i-made-an/)

[Joe Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-wright/)

> ['Hanna' was nice. It was Saoirse Ronan's idea. Usually, the director casts the actor, but in this case, the actor cast the director.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-wright/hanna-was-nice-it-was-saoirse-ronan-s-idea-usually-the-director-casts/)

[Joe Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-wright/)

> [I think Pan is a superhero movie; I mean, the kid flies in the end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-wright/i-think-pan-is-a-superhero-movie-i-mean-the-kid-flies-in-the-end/)

[Joe Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-wright/)

> [One of the things I really love about 3D is that because as we grow older on eye weakens more than the other, 3D…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-wright/one-of-the-things-i-really-love-about-3d-is-that-because-as-we-grow/)

[Joe Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-wright/)

[Explore all 59 Joe Wright quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-wright/)

## More Doubt quotes

> [I put myself in the student's place and remember the frustrations, doubts, determination, and desires I felt when I was going through the initial…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-martinez/i-put-myself-in-the-student-s-place-and-remember-the-frustrations/)

Ted Martinez

> [Because of the womb being a central phenomenon in the feminine body, the whole psychology of woman differs: she is non-aggressive, non-inquiring, non-questioning, non-doubting,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/because-of-the-womb-being-a-central-phenomenon-in-the-feminine-body/)

[Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/)

> [I don't doubt that straight white men have identity issues and identity complexes and struggle with defining themselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-simien/i-don-t-doubt-that-straight-white-men-have-identity-issues-and/)

[Justin Simien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-simien/)

> [“Where there is doubt (shanka), there is misery. The moment one begins to doubt the knowledge that, 'I am Chandubhai,' misery arises. Once one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dada-bhagwan/where-there-is-doubt-shanka-there-is-misery-the-moment-one-begins-to/)

[Dada Bhagwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dada-bhagwan/)

> [We know accurately only when we know little, with knowledge doubt increases.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/we-know-accurately-only-when-we-know-little-with-knowledge-doubt/)

[Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/)

> [There is no doubt in my mind and I know in my time, there will be a Canadian basketball player playing for Toronto Raptors, 100%](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masai-ujiri/there-is-no-doubt-in-my-mind-and-i-know-in-my-time-there-will-be-a/)

[Masai Ujiri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masai-ujiri/)

> [How could you feel worthless when God has honoured you by creating you and choosing you to be with Him, in this life and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yasmin-mogahed/how-could-you-feel-worthless-when-god-has-honoured-you-by-creating/)

[Yasmin Mogahed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yasmin-mogahed/)

> [“Let no one hope to find in contemplation an escape from conflict, from anguish or from doubt. On the contrary, the deep, inexpressible certitude…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/let-no-one-hope-to-find-in-contemplation-an-escape-from-conflict-from/)

[Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/)

> [“Two powerful, little words I've learned to use when facing challenges, fears, and doubts— so what? ”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-e-goodrich/two-powerful-little-words-i-ve-learned-to-use-when-facing-challenges/)

[Richelle E. Goodrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-e-goodrich/)

> [For diplomacy to be effective, words must be credible - and no one can now doubt the word of America.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/for-diplomacy-to-be-effective-words-must-be-credible-and-no-one-can/)

[George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/)

> [Vision motivates, sustains and dispels doubt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-young/vision-motivates-sustains-and-dispels-doubt/)

[Thomas Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-young/)

> [One may not doubt that, somehow Good Shall come of Water and of Mud; And sure, the reverent eye must see A purpose in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rupert-brooke/one-may-not-doubt-that-somehow-good-shall-come-of-water-and-of-mud/)

[Rupert Brooke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rupert-brooke/)

> [Let smiles overshadow sadness. Let faith make you believe. Let confidence wash away doubts. Let love complete your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/let-smiles-overshadow-sadness-let-faith-make-you-believe-let/)

[Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/)

> [When in doubt, suggest that a subcommittee be appointed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-chapman/when-in-doubt-suggest-that-a-subcommittee-be-appointed/)

Harry Chapman

> [“Those who contemplate never escape the doubt.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henning-mankell/those-who-contemplate-never-escape-the-doubt/)

[Henning Mankell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henning-mankell/)

[Browse all 9,582 Doubt quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doubt/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "I kind of muddled through 'Pride & Prejudice,' but with 'Atonement,' I knew what I was doing. That makes it sound like I had no doubt. I had doubts - I didn't know whether it would work. But I knew exactly what I wanted to try to do.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Joe Wright"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-wright/i-kind-of-muddled-through-pride-prejudice-but-with-atonement-i-knew/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Doubt"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-wright/i-kind-of-muddled-through-pride-prejudice-but-with-atonement-i-knew/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/34a/joe-wright-11581_doubt_i-kind-of-muddled-through-pride-prejudic_1972182.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/34a/joe-wright-11581_doubt_i-kind-of-muddled-through-pride-prejudic_1972182.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/34a/joe-wright-11581_doubt_i-kind-of-muddled-through-pride-prejudic_1972182.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“I kind of muddled through 'Pride & Prejudice,' but with 'Atonement,' I knew what I was doing. That makes it…” — Joe Wright",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Joe Wright",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-wright/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "I kind of muddled through 'Pride...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-wright/i-kind-of-muddled-through-pride-prejudice-but-with-atonement-i-knew/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-wright/i-kind-of-muddled-through-pride-prejudice-but-with-atonement-i-knew/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
