Emma and Clueless

Transformations often strike familiar themes but reflect those themes in a different scene in order to resonate the values and interests of that society. Thus, context dictates form and heart as sound as the values inherent in the texts. Amy Heckerlings, twentieth century American film, uninformed is a transformation of Jane Austens orthodox Regency England, Emma. The use of different techniques and specialty allow Emmas themes of personal growth, well-disposed structure and the role of women in society to be conveyed in a more appropriate form in Clueless.The main characters, Emma and Cher are representational products of their society and parallels can be drawn in the opening scenes, in particular in relation to self-knowledge. The Bildungsroman progression from delusion to social awareness is a universal value in both texts despite their differing contexts. Emma is introduced as handsome, clever, and comfortable who had a dis plaza to think a little too well of herself. Austens satiric refinement as the omniscient narrator alerts the responder to Emmas inability to understand her position 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 beauty should non be work-shy on the inferior society, and it would be interesting and highly congruous to improve her. Austen employs verbal irony through Emmas communication, which exposes her flaws of arrogance and shallowness. However, Emma in conclusion develops self awareness as shown when she realizes her mis puddle of matching Harriet with Mr. Elton and influencing her to refuse a suitable marriage with Mr. Martin. There is a similar character growing in Cher despite the difference in context.Heckerling implements voice overs to create an speedy sense of irony when Chers way normal life for a teenage girl is juxtaposed with a dolly-tracking shot of her ch oosing outfits from a data processor operated wardrobe in a grand bedroom. In doing so, Heckerling continues Austens satirical mode by foregrounding Chers lack of social awareness. This is get on reinforced through her dialogue, I rich person 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 sanatorium, which imply her superficial obsession with image and materialistic values.Chers utmost ability to see beyond the superficial and realize her mistakes I was meet totally clueless is parallel to Emmas reconciliation to society and its values. confusable to Austen, Heckerling reflects values that are consistent with any age and time- the absolute compulsion for recent people to gain social awareness. Social hierarchy in Regency England was permanent and immobile. It was governed by strict rules of adherence to rank and place, and was determined by birthright and inheritance. Miss.Churchil l and master copy Westons marriage challenged the social hierarchy ascribable to a large social imbalance in their marriage, and through auctorial intrusion, it was deemed an unsuitable connection and did not produce much happiness. Austen demonstrates the virtually impervious social structure through her criticism of the Coles and that it was not for them to arrange the foothold on which the superior families would visit them, indicating that money gained through trade and not birthright, doesnt indicate status.Emmas high modality and contemptuous tone employed when she claims the yeomanry are precisely the order of people with whom I sense of smell I can have nothing to do further highlights the rigidness on course of instruction interactions. Finally, Harriets marriage to Mr. Martin, a farmer, results in the disadvantage of friendship between Emma and Harriet as stated by Austens authorial intrusion, the intimacy between her and Emma must sink. This epitomizes the clea r demarcation of status and that Emma shouldnt associate with 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 crew and the loadies. Eltons indignant tone conveys class thought 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 put away in a carpark by Elton, and the far shot of a blink neon sign of a clown symbolizes societys trick 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 expecta tions of a match within their social class. Captain Westons marriage to Miss. Churchill is juxtaposed to Miss. Taylors, thus allowing Austen to comment on the pistillate 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 timbre it, hence demonstrating the double moral standard prevalent in society. Furthermore, Emmas sister, Isabella, is married to John Weston, and through authorial intrusion, Austen comments that Isabella always 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 genuinely fond of connecting themselves with a girl of such 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, outspoken and have many more choices, including marriage. The focus of the medium shot on Cher as she struts down the schoolyard in her vibrant icteric costuming portrays her outgoing attitude. The eye contact of male passerbys creates vectors and the comment As if highlight Chers disgust at their attention, exemplifying womens license to take 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 sonorous and satirical insights into their respective contexts. While the pauperization 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 ideas are reinforced by the diff erent mediums, both of which effectively reflect the themes and values of that context.