Emma and Clueless

Transformations often involve familiar themes but reflect those themes in a different place setting in order to resonate the values and interests of that golf-club. Thus, context dictates form and meaning as well as the values inherent in the texts. Amy Heckerlings, 20th ascorbic acid Ameri dismiss film, clueless is a transformation of Jane Austens conservative Regency England, Emma. The use of different techniques and medium accept Emmas themes of personal growth, social structure and the role of women in society to be conveyed in a more appropriate form in Clueless.The main shargons, Emma and Cher are representational products of their society and parallels can be drawn in the opening scenes, particularly in relation to self-knowledge. The Bildungsroman progression from delusion to social sense is a universal value in both(prenominal) texts despite their differing contexts. Emma is introduced as handsome, clever, and rich who had a trend to think a little too well of hers elf. Austens satirical tone as the wise narrator alerts the responder to Emmas inability to understand her berth in society. Furthermore, while Emma successfully matches Mr. Weston and Ms.Taylor, her motives are superficial as she sees it as the greatest amusement in the world She also believes Harriets knockout should not be wasted on the inferior society, and it would be interesting and highly change state to improve her. Austen employs verbal caustic remark through Emmas dialogue, which exposes her flaws of arrogance and shallowness. However, Emma eventually develops self awareness as shown when she realizes her mis get hold of of matching Harriet with Mr. Elton and influencing her to refuse a suitable marriage with Mr. Martin. There is a similar character development in Cher despite the difference in context.Heckerling implements voice overs to create an immediate sense of irony when Chers way normal life for a teenage girl is juxtaposed with a dolly-tracking opalescent of her choosing outfits from a computer operated wardrobe in a grand bedroom. In doing so, Heckerling continues Austens satirical elbow room by highlighting Chers lack of social awareness. This is further reinforced through her dialogue, I defecate directiontowards the mall and Dionnes statement, Chers main thrill in life is a make-overit gives her a sense of control in a world full of chaos, which imply her superficial fixing with image and materialistic values.Chers final ability to see beyond the superficial and realize her mistakes I was just totally clueless is parallel to Emmas reconciliation to society and its values. Similar to Austen, Heckerling reflects values that are consistent with any age and time- the absolute necessity for young people to gain social awareness. kindly hierarchy in Regency England was permanent and immobile. It was governed by strict rules of adherence to rank and place, and was determined by patrimony and inheritance. Miss.Churchill and master k ey Westons marriage challenged the social hierarchy due to a large social imbalance in their marriage, and through authorial intrusion, it was deemed an unsuitable connection and did not produce much happiness. Austen demonstrates the virtually retentive social structure through her criticism of the Coles and that it was not for them to arrange the terms on which the superior families would witness them, indicating that money gained through trade and not birthright, doesnt indicate status.Emmas high modality and supercilious tone employed when she claims the yeomanry are precisely the order of people with whom I feel I can guard nothing to do further highlights the inflexibility on class interactions. Finally, Harriets marriage to Mr. Martin, a farmer, results in the loss of friendship between Emma and Harriet as stated by Austens authorial intrusion, the link between her and Emma must sink. This epitomizes the clear demarcation of status and that Emma shouldnt associate wit h Harriet due to their differing social status. Chers world also has a class structure that underpins her society.This idea is explored through the camera panning out to take long shots of the rigid societal tiers, whilst Cher introduces Tai to the stratified social groups at school including the Persia mafia, the work party and the loadies. Eltons indignant tone conveys class consciousness in his rhetorical questions towards Cher as she suggests Tai as a romantic partner, Why Tai? Do you know who my father is? Later, Cher is abandoned in a carpark by Elton, and the far shot of a blinking neon sign of a clown symbolizes societys mockery of her attempt to undermine a defined system of class.Clearly, class consciousness pervades both societies, especially in selecting romantic partners. Regency England dictated the position of women in society by strict codes of conduct. Primarily, women of Emmas class were constrained by societys expectations of a match within their social class. C aptain Westons marriage to Miss. Churchill is juxtaposed to Miss. Taylors, thus allowing Austen to comment on the female and male positions in society, in that women are meant to be passive and have less say in their marriage. According to Mr.Westons idea, its being a great deal better to chuse than to be chosen, to excite gratitude than to feel it, hence demonstrating the trope moral standard prevalent in society. Furthermore, Emmas sister, Isabella, is married to John Weston, and through authorial intrusion, Austen comments that Isabella unceasingly thinks as he does demonstrating a womens duty as a wife. The use of dialogue in Mr. Knightleys warning to Emma, Men of family would not be very fond of connecting themselves with a girl of such(prenominal) obscurityHarriet, exemplifies societys expectation of women to interact within their own social class.On the other hand, Clueless doesnt offer the restricted patriarchal world of Austen as young women could be independent, outspoke n and have many more choices, including marriage. The focus of the medium shot on Cher as she struts down the schoolyard in her spirited yellow costuming portrays her outgoing attitude. The eye contact of male passerbys creates vectors and the comment As if highlight Chers fight off at their attention, exemplifying womens freedom to choose their romantic partners. This idea is reinforced by Chers comment on Dionnes relationship, Dee, you could do so much better. Contrary to Austen, Heckerling recognizes the change in the position of women in society in that they have more freedom in their social behavior and relationships. In conclusion, Emma and Clueless offer profound and satirical insights into their respective contexts. While the bring for social stability and the need for young people to gain social awareness, remain unchanged, but the position of women in society has shifted dramatically. such(prenominal) ideas are reinforced by the different mediums, both of which effecti vely reflect the themes and values of that context.