Kill Jane Austen
“It is a truth universally acknowledged that Hollywood can't go longer than four or five years before adapting, once again, one of the works of Jane Austen.”
—Mary Sollosi and Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly
Jane Austen is one of my favorite novelists whose works adorn my bookshelf like treasured ornaments. One of my favorite books of hers is Mansfield Park. After I was introduced to Austen’s novels in college, I started writing like her (as novice writers tend to do with their favorite authors)—that’s how much of an influence she has on me, and rightfully so. Nobody can deny that Austen is an amazing writer whose stories should be read by everyone, especially aspiring writers, and her name and works should never be erased from the literary canon. But that’s the thing: She will never be forgotten, so must Hollywood continue to adapt her books? When I went to Kutztown University where I majored in English, there was an entire course dedicated to her, as well as Shakespeare. Yes, both writers are extremely important and influential and their works need to be studied, however, I wish there would’ve also been a Latin American literature course so that I could have learned more about authors and characters who looked like me. I remember there was only one African-American lit class, which was taught by a black professor—the only person of color I saw in my English department! But the class was full before I could register. Thankfully, black authors like Toni Morrison’s Beloved appeared in my American literature syllabus, as well as Frederick Douglass and the story of Nat Turner. Rarely was a brown author assigned and they do exist, so why are we exposed to so little of them?
Hollywood loves to adapt tales written by white authors and I wish that wasn’t the case so there could be more space in media for Latinos. That can’t happen until Hollywood starts investing more in minorities and less in remakes geared to white audiences. I understand introducing a story to a new generation; to resurrect a voice lost in time; or to serve up a modern twist. But how necessary is it to adapt stories that have been done countless times and are no longer relatable? For example, I know Austen didn’t write Little Women, but nobody needed the 2019 film adaptation of that text. I do thank Austen’s Emma for the 1995 movie Clueless. Although I was six-years-old when it premiered, the movie spawned a television series of the same name whose reruns were part of my afternoon schedule to unwind. I didn’t even know Clueless was loosely based on Emma until I researched for this blog. It proves that modern adaptations for new audiences have a purpose—I know Clueless served to entertain me. While there have been creative and modern adaptations of Austen’s storylines like Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, Bridget Jones’s Diary, and a Latino version of Sense and Sensibility, From Prada to Nada, why can’t Hollywood invest in brown artists?
With the pandemic forcing movies out of theatres and onto the small screen who knows how much longer the film industry will stand. While I fear that the movie theatre experience might vanish, I am hopeful that with the various streaming platforms available original stories created by Latino voices stand a chance to be seen and if movie theatres don’t disappear, then we deserve to be on the big screen, too. That can’t happen until we start worrying less about preserving white voices and instead amplify diverse storytellers and creatives of all backgrounds and experiences. Hollywood is a business and it will continue to adapt Austen’s works if there is an audience, but people of color have shown there is an audience for our stories, too. The blockbuster success of Black Panther, which had an all-black cast, proves that investing in people of color is no longer a risk. Spy Kids, a franchise that began in 2001with Latino characters, also proved how successful we can be. We just need the opportunity to showcase our talent. Movies like Selena and Stand and Deliver validated Latino tales that then influenced our culture; we need more films like that. I came across this excellent article from The New York Times by Carlos Aguilar, “The American Latino Experience: 20 Essential Films Since 2000,” that discusses, specifically, the lack of the American Latino experience on screen, because it is a unique experience to be born in America and have Latin roots. He writes, “…our presence is intrinsic to this country. Yet, American Latinos remain mostly invisible in our collective narrative, a narrative that very much includes the images we consume.” He believes more movies should cover the breadth of the Latino experience; nonetheless, the industry continues churning out the same material, so why can’t we get enough Austen adaptations? Let’s examine who’s watching them.
In an article written by Katrina Roe, “Why So Many Women (And Even Some Men!) Love Jane Austen’s Stories,” she explores American women’s obsession with Austen. Roe writes:
Here’s what I find most amazing about Jane Austen – that 200 years after her death women still relate to and admire her fictional female characters. When you think about how much has changed for women in that time – in regards to love, marriage, employment, politics, society and almost every aspect of life – it’s remarkable that her characters are still so engaging.
Part of the answer, this article found, is that Hollywood has adapted Austen’s works so much that she’s now a huge part of pop culture; therefore, she has value. Why couldn’t Hollywood do the same for Latinos? It clearly sends the message that we don’t matter to them. When it comes to literature, I was lucky to grow up with a dad who loves to read and who instilled the love of reading in me. He introduced me to Gabriel García Márquez’s 100 Years of Solitude, Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist, and Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan. Perusing a reading list compiled by Stephen King, I found and started reading the novel The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Díaz. I’ve been looking for more Hispanic writers and in my search, I found some books I’m excited to read like When I Was Puerto Rican: A Memoir by Esmeralda Santiago and The House on Mango Street a novel by Sandra Cisneros. Maybe if those books had been adapted to film I would’ve heard of them.
Other reasons for the obsession with Austen are the romantic relationships in her stories and that she is a feminist icon. In Jon Kelly’s article, “Janeites: The curious American cult of Jane Austen,” he asks Myretta Robens, who manages one of the most popular U.S. Austen fan sites, what draws fans to the adaptations. “There’s a longing for the elegance of the time,” she replied. “It’s an escape.” Longing for this period where women had no agency worries me because I fear the new wave of feminists, specifically woke white women, hold on too dearly to the way women were treated by men and society…in the 19th century. Of course, sexism exists and there are issues we need to fix, however, we have made progress here in America and we shouldn’t let these constant adaptations popping up in our culture make us think otherwise. Austen created strong female characters that are rightfully revered. Her works are about empowering women, so I wonder can the same women who flock to theatres to get their dose of women empowerment—who claim to care about black and brown lives—use their privilege to uplift the storytelling of minorities and make space for us?
Aguilar, Carlos. “The American Latino Experience: 20 Essential Films Since 2000.” The New York Times, 1 Oct. 2020, https://www.nytimes.com/article/latino-movies.html.
Kelly, Jon. “Janeites: The curious American cult of Jane Austen.” BBC NEWS, 28 Jan. 2013, https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-21036818.
Lee Lenker, Maureen and Mary Sollosi. “15 sensible, unprejudiced Jane Austen adaptation superlatives.” Entertainment Weekly, 6 March 2020, https://ew.com/movies/jane-austen-adaptation-superlatives/.
Roe, Katrina. “Why So Many Women (And Even Some Men!) Love Jane Austen’s Stories.” Hope Media, 20 July 2017, https://hope1032.com.au/stories/culture/2017/empowering-women-tribute-jane-austen-200-years-2/.