Obsessed, but not strangely
Yes, we Janeites are an obsessed group. Why should we apologize for it? On the scale of odd behavior, obsession with Jane Austen ranks rather low; yet we often are scolded or mocked for it by those who know better.
This article at The Social Affairs Unit–well, we thought we would be swinging the Cluebat of Janeite Righteousness earlier, but upon rereading we actually agree with quite a bit of it. But when the author starts blaming Janeites for the failings of Hollywood filmmakers, we must protest.
Jane Austen must be one of the greatest misunderstood novelists in the history of English literature. Film-makers and legions of strangely obsessed readers called “Janeites” have been happily going about the business of misunderstanding her novels for years. The reason, I suppose, is simple. On the surface, she seems to be talking of romantic love. So the film-makers misconstrue her in order to make money out of the Janeite’s yearnings. She is the 18th-century Helen Fielding (as opposed to Henry), and her heroines are bonneted Bridget Jones.
That presupposes that there is a connect between “what Janeites want” and “what Hollywood sees fit to give us.” Jane Austen films, at least of late, are made to a perception of what the filmwatching public at large wants and needs from a Jane Austen film. Janeites, especially those who might protest on the grounds of infidelity or illogic, are marginalized as “those Austen people” and “purists” and “those mean, snarky Austen bloggers” who demand an unreasonable fidelity to Jane Austen’s novels and known life and are too silly and stupid and stubborn to understand that those won’t play in Peoria.
Although, reading this entry at Gawker, perhaps they are right and we are wrong.
Like berry-colored lipstick and chunky-heeled Steve Madden boots, caring a lot about Jane Austen is a fad that needs to be left in the 90s where it belongs.
Would that it were true; if the painfully-hipsters would abandon Jane, we could go back to reading the books and talking about them and having fun, and let our Cluebat gather dust. Thing is, “caring a lot about Jane Austen” has been going on for close to two centuries, and isn’t about to stop because the tragically hip have declared it must; especially when heroic Janeites such as Heather Anne keep fighting the good fight.
I handed him the receipt, fresh from the register. “I just bought some stuff, including this book here.” I took the book out and handed it to him. “And I noticed on the receipt that the title was spelled incorrectly, so I just wanted to let you know.”
The CSS took my receipt and peered at it. “I’m sorry?”
“See, the name of this book is Jane Austen in Scarsdale. It is based on Jane Austen’s Persuasion. Austen is spelled a-u-s-t-E-n, and in your system it is spelled a-u-s-t-I-n.”
His eyebrows closed in on each other. (Hee! –Ed.)
“And Austen with an ‘I’ is wrong,” I said, since he didn’t seem to understand the problem.
“Is this a joke?” he asked.
“No. I was just wondering if it was hard to change the name in your system so that it prints out correctly on the receipt. I wouldn’t even mention it, it’s just that, you know, it is Jane Austen.”
The CSS did not reply.
“Jane Austen,” I repeated.
“I know who Jane Austen is,” he said.
“Awesome. So you see my point. She’s one of the most important authors in the canon of world literature. I mean it’s not as if you’ve misspelled Koontz.”
Well done, madam; well done, indeed.
April 3rd, 2007 at 9:39 am
Those Austen people?
Loud and proud, baby. Loud and proud.
April 3rd, 2007 at 11:59 am
I quite enjoy the “Austen People” label myself.
Well done Heather Anne!
April 3rd, 2007 at 1:08 pm
The thing about the “tragically hip” is that they are *tragic*. I believe in the law of averages, so in my estimation these folks eventually become the old person in the grocery store talking to canned ham in their bathrobe. So in other words, don’t listen to them.
As for the first part; I don’t read and re-read Austen’s books for the romance, it’s the characters I love. I can’t stand it when people just assume that us “Austen People” (which I love) are looking for romance. If that were the case I could buy a bodice ripping paperback at the grocery store; I’m reading these for the characters. It’s called literature. Duh. When film makers don’t get that the characters drive a Austen story more than the romance, that’s not my fault!
April 3rd, 2007 at 2:34 pm
Another misguided soul who thinks that Janeites read Jane Austen for “the romance”. The writer is mistaken in saying that” ‘Janeites’ have been happily going about the business of misunderstanding her novels for years.” I don’t think I have ever spoken to a Janeite who reads her novels simply for romantic fantasy. Humor, wit, perception, wisdom, perhaps. And so what if they did? They are still exquiste and good taste is never out of fashion.
April 3rd, 2007 at 2:58 pm
In the same vein, I recently saw an “Austin” item on Ebay — a keepsake box with the well-known JA portrait painted on the top with “Jane Austin” in gold calligraphy underneath the picture. I contacted the seller and pointed out that while the item was lovely and certainly unusual, I doubted that any of the MILLIONS of Jane AUSTEN fans would bid on it. I received an immediate and grateful response with a promise that the mistake would be corrected. Might have been nice to get a freebie as my reward!
April 3rd, 2007 at 3:18 pm
Early copies of the P95 DVD have “Jane Austin’s Persuasion” at the top.
April 3rd, 2007 at 3:40 pm
“Early copies of the P95 DVD have “Jane Austin’s Persuasion” at the top.”
Not to mention the DVD-menu of MP2…
April 3rd, 2007 at 6:06 pm
“Not to mention the DVD-menu of MP2…”
Or the blurb on the back of the original video of the Kate Beckinsale Emma.
April 4th, 2007 at 10:20 am
Am I the only one who is disturbed and offended by the assumption made by The Social Affairs Unit that the people who are so partial to Jane Austen, i.e., the “Janeites,” misunderstand her work???
That one sentence is just breathtaking in its display of sweeping intellectual arrogance. I find it inaccurate and offensive in the extreme.
April 4th, 2007 at 10:36 am
LaBellaDonna,that’s why I said I thought I would be swinging the Cluebat.
But since Janeites were lumped in with filmmakers, I thought it intimated a connection between what Janeites want in their adaptations and what filmmakers are producing and decided to address that. I guess I’m giving the author the benefit of the doubt but trust me, I’m right there with you on the general sentiment.
April 4th, 2007 at 2:55 pm
Me too, Mags. I’m right there with both of you.
Although, I’m not opposed to the occasional bust of shallowness…like now: Thanks a lot, Heather Anne. Now I’m craving Whoppers and jelly beans!