Emma/Clueless Essay

Emma Essay How has the changing contexts influenced the representations of main issues from Emma to clueless? Amy Heckerlings Clueless is a cinematic reconstruction of Jane Austens nineteenth century stainless Emma and perfectly encapsulates the idea that the issues of a time, spay and adapt with the changing of context. The coetaneous text Clueless takes the rustic values placed on courtship, geological dating and ultimately matrimony as well as the affectionate/ syndicate distinctions in Regency England and successfully transforms them to better suite the new context of a contemporary audience and less rigid society.In the nineteenth century, marriage was the furbish up occupation of women and was the only way for women to rise in hearty placement and to support themselves. Marriage was a fundamental aspect of Austens gentleman and the splendor of marriage is naughtylighted as Emma states that she is not going to be conjoin and Harriet exclaims in a shocked tone it is so odd to consider a woman talk so . For Harriet, and most women in the nineteenth century, marriage was an economic necessity to provide a stable fiscal future.This is reiterated by Emmas use of short phrases in a iodin woman, with a very narrow income, must be a ridiculous, pestering old maid which expresses her disdain for those women who do not possess fortunes to catch hers and reinforces the value of wealth in relation to marriage. Marriage was therefor, not for enjoy that for wealth, as is demo in Mr. Eltons arrogant announcement that he need not so totally despair of an peer bail bond as to be addressing myself to Ms. Smith The use of the word alliance emphasizes the fact that matrimony was for financial benefits.Marriage in Austens time was wanted unconditionally and was seen as a means to achieve financial and cordial stability. While Emma focuses on the importance of marriage in the rigid Regency period, in the contemporary American setting of Clueless, althou gh marriage is still featured, the focus has evokeed to much contemporary themes relating to the sexuality and fluidity of relationships. Chers communion when explaining her indecisiveness everyplace who to lose her virginity to You know how picky I a with my shoes, and they only go on my feet shows how sexual relationships put one over replaced marriage in the new context, as Chers dilemma becomes a question of whom to lose her virginity to and not whom to marry. The single-valued function of women in courtship has also changed dramatically as is demonstrated by the zoom in on Chers feet rubbing Christians, indicating her desire to have sex with him. This active role in the relationship contrasts starkly with the subordinate role women played in the 19th century. Marriage still plays a role in the 21st century and this is shown the last scene the marriage of Mr.Hall and Ms. Geist. Heckerling does however, employ satire done Chers voice-over of As if Im only 16 This is Calif ornia, not Kentucky. when audiences presume that she is marrying to gently mock the 19th century necessity to marry early, once again highlighting the shift away from the importance of marriage. In the 21tst century, marriage has been pushed to the side and values in relationships focus more on sexuality. The social hierarchy of Regency England was rigid and dependent on wealth, property and heritage of the individuals and families.The extreme importance of sectionalisation is demonstrated through the exaggerated caricature of Mrs. Elton, a woman who is quite obnoxious, but still thought to be a better catch than the kind-hearted Harriet, barely because of her genteel heritage and wealth. The rigidity of social standings is further accentuated by Emmas pretentious and condescending tone in the yeomanry are on the nose the people with which I feel I can have energy to do with where her disdain for Robert Martin, a farmer in love with Harriet, speculate her disdain for those wi th a lower social standing than herself.Austen however, challenges the prerequisites of her society through her character Mr. Knightley, who shows generosity towards the lower class despite his own high social standing, even describing Robert Martins as respectable, intelligent, gentle. His use of positive adjectives accentuates Austens view that kindness and charity are more important that social superiority an idea that many in her time did not share. Heckerling appropriates 19th century class snobbery and transforms them to better suite the growing multicultural and democratic setting in Clueless.Although class distinction no drawn-out exists, Clueless depicts a social structure based on popularity, port and acquaintance in a high train environment. The importance of popularity mirrors the importance of class in Emma and is established through Chers use of dialogue in The fact that you hang with Dionne and I, speaks very highly of you. Close up shots of Cher and Dionnes disgu sted expressions as they scorn Trevor (the Clueless equivalent of Robert Martin) again echoes the class snobbery and disdain shown by the genteel in Emma towards those of lesser standing.Heckerling does however emphasize the fluidity and flexibility of 21st century class structure, which is the principal difference between the contexts of Emma and Clueless. Tais gradual change of costume is in direct correlation to her gradual rise in popularity from adorably clueless outcast to the centre of attention highlighting the frivolous and shallow social structure present in the 21st century. Amy Heckerling has taken into consideration the changed context of Clueless and appropriately caused the adapted the Regency England views on social structure to better reflect the class values of the high school setting.