Emma and Clueless
The film Clueless, written and directed by Amy Heckerling, a somewhat modern adaptation of Jane Austen’s novel Emma examines the congruent ideas of self-knowledge and social obligation. Through the characterisation of the protagonists, Cher and Emma, who are perceived to be perfect in every way, possessing many virtues, as they are ‘handsome, clever and rich’.
However they are only seemingly ‘perfect’, as we soon find out that they are flawed by a deluded sense of importance and a general lack of insight. Austen and Heckerling acknowledge their potential for insight, thus we are able to witness the transformation of their characters as they undergo a catastrophe, forcing them to confront their flaws and enabling their growth.
Both Cher and Emma live parallel lives to each other. Living the life of luxury secluded from lower-class society due to their wealth. Emma lives in the ‘large and populous ‘village of Highbury whilst Cher lives in flashy, rich Beverly Hills, USA. Cher’s father is a litigation lawyer a highly lucrative and immoral occupation, he is seen walking down the staircase as their maid runs off in fear indicating Chers distinguished social power through her father’s status. Emma also displays high social power as she is described to have ‘a comfortable home and a happy disposition’. The leisurely lifestyle that they live foreshadows their ultimate downfall as they are blinded by their own self-indulgence and arrogance ‘the power of having rather too much her won way’. These flaws are elicited by the absence of a maternal figure, or in fact any sort of guidance at all. Mr Horowitz contributes to Chers flaws through bad guidance and rapacious ideals.
Heckerling’s adaptation focuses on the stereotypical American youth culture to appeal to a contemporary audience using humour to convey the message. By using an opening montage Heckling establishes the superficial and consumerist values of modern society as we are bombarded with saturated images of
However they are only seemingly ‘perfect’, as we soon find out that they are flawed by a deluded sense of importance and a general lack of insight. Austen and Heckerling acknowledge their potential for insight, thus we are able to witness the transformation of their characters as they undergo a catastrophe, forcing them to confront their flaws and enabling their growth.
Both Cher and Emma live parallel lives to each other. Living the life of luxury secluded from lower-class society due to their wealth. Emma lives in the ‘large and populous ‘village of Highbury whilst Cher lives in flashy, rich Beverly Hills, USA. Cher’s father is a litigation lawyer a highly lucrative and immoral occupation, he is seen walking down the staircase as their maid runs off in fear indicating Chers distinguished social power through her father’s status. Emma also displays high social power as she is described to have ‘a comfortable home and a happy disposition’. The leisurely lifestyle that they live foreshadows their ultimate downfall as they are blinded by their own self-indulgence and arrogance ‘the power of having rather too much her won way’. These flaws are elicited by the absence of a maternal figure, or in fact any sort of guidance at all. Mr Horowitz contributes to Chers flaws through bad guidance and rapacious ideals.
Heckerling’s adaptation focuses on the stereotypical American youth culture to appeal to a contemporary audience using humour to convey the message. By using an opening montage Heckling establishes the superficial and consumerist values of modern society as we are bombarded with saturated images of