If U Seek Janie

I am a member of the Jane Austen Society of North America, a rather large organization that seeks to unite Austen fans stateside and in Canada. Yesterday I received their quarterly newsletter, and there was an article about the popularity of Austen on YouTube. The author was pretty down on this particular video where scenes from various Austen movies are shown with Britney Spears' "If U Seek Amy" playing. Most of the scenes show that bit of sexuality that's always brimming just below the surface. The author called the video "disturbing." However, I was immediately intrigued.

I have to say I have a soft spot for when high and low culture gets intertwined. Usually, they make for delicious juxtapositions. Another thing I like about this video is it highlights the modern take of Austen and sex. While many Janeites like to highlight the romance of the films, there is an element of sex in all the movies. Sex is for the most part barely mentioned in the novels. Of course, it's harder to capture what is not said in a novel, something the movies do so well. Some experts say that's what made the resurgence of Austen possible, that juxtaposition of sex and corsets. My message to YouTuber Jasnira: Don't let the uptight Janeites get you down!!