ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the testing of the Jane Austens syndrome. The Jane Austen Centre gift shop in Bath sells cards, stationery, lace, and needlepoint. There is one more enormous and striking similarity between Austen and Shakespeare, beyond the fact that they have so often been compared as masterful creators of character and dialogue. Darcy initially believes that Jane Bennet is not in love with Bingley, as he later explains to Elizabeth. The chapter explores some pieces of evidence about Jane Austen's cultural capital. Few pleasures can compare to the sheer joy of curling up with one of Austen's novels, turning the pages, occasionally laughing out loud. It is the experience of reading and rereading her, the perfect phrases, the laser-sharp observations, the balanced repetitions and inversions of her brilliant plot devices that keeps her always coming back for more.
