Like Shakespeare, Jane Austin is more popular today than in her own lifetime. Because of her popularity, her novels have been made into numerous film adaptations. But what is it about these films that draw huge crowds of movie-goers to see stories many of us know by heart? What is it about her stories that make us see every version ever made of the novels and make us think wistfully: "If only I were Jane. . ." In this introductory class to we will explore these questions as well as the cultural impact and historical significance of Jane and her texts.