Emma and Clueless Speech

Through close analysis of the novel Emma, by Jane Austen and the film Clueless by Amy Heckerling, we discover that both texts argon influenced by, and weigh the assesss of their respective contexts. Emma is set in the isolated, rural town of Highbury, England in the early 1800s, at a time where participation had placed take account on well-disposed hierarchy. This distinction amongst classes was largely determined by family lines and inheritance. It is in the upper class of society that Jane Austen places her protagonist, Emma, handsome, clever and richwith precise little to distress or vex her.Emmas desirable website had led her to possess a self indulgent attitude towards life, as Austen intends her sense of hearing to identify with the cynical remark that she has the power of having rather alike often her own office. However, Austen contradicts this third voice by the conversation which establishes Emma to be a character of good intentions No papa, nobody musical the me of you walking. This contrast between third person and dialogue creates a discrepancy between Emmas thoughts and Austens intrusive moralistic watchs.From the satire present here, satire is created, encouraging the reader to reflect on Emmas behaviour as a reflection of the context of her society and the value put on social hierarchy and status. The opening scene of Amy Heckerlings film, Clueless, make in the 1990s, immediately adopts Austens ironic tone. The energetic montage and quick while of camera angles of Cher and her fellow teenagers indulging in luxurious activities in Beverly Hills USA, establishes the mercenary(a) world in which the movie is set.Heckerling supplicants to her audience by creating such rigid imagery, however she contradicts these perceptions by juxtaposing everything her audience views. The blaring song Were the kids in America provides ironic commentary in that it is strikingly unadorned that these smashed teenagers are the complete opposite from the average kids in America as they strike the ability to embrace all aspects of consumer ideals. Through this Heckerling establishes Cher as macrocosm an imitation of Emma having too much her own way.The contrast between Chers first voiceover I actually have a way normal life for a teenage girl whilst she picks out her originator outfit on a computer allows Heckerling to provide an authorial voice, much like Austen, where she critiques teenage self absorption and the society that cultivates this trait. Both texts in the main focus on the social set of espousals, romance and provoke. During Austens time, marriage was concerned as a way of preserving your social rank and pecuniary status and often these values took primacy over romance.This is evident when Emma speaks that Mr Elton would give Harriet everything she wanted- consideration, independence, a proper home. Austen challenges societies values by making Emma oppose these views and have very little intention of marryin g at all. However, Austen allows Emma to succumb to societys expectations with her marriage to Mr. Knightely. This reaffirms the reality of Austens society, she allows her audience to see her view but highlights that she cannot change this value.Heckerling chooses to replace the importance of marriage, with the importance of sex to entourage the context of contemporary society. Sex before marriage is a common issue in the film and is highlighted as common amongst most social classes. Tais comment to Cher Why am I heretofore listening to you- youre a virgin who cant fuck off reflects societies consideration as to what is important. Like Emma, Cher rejects her social expectations and admits to remaining a virgin.However, Heckerling sets up a paradox around Cher, exaggerating a materialistic and sexual fairish who ironically remains a virgin despite this image. Although the importance of sex takes focus in the film, Heckerling chooses to end Clueless with a marriage, highlighting t hat it is excuse a value in modern society. Both Austen and Heckerling challenge their audience to confront their own presumptions concerning their societys values. Moral fosterage is a value personified through epochal figures in both protagonists lives.In Emma, Mr Knightely is the catalyst for Emmas moral education and growth. One of the significant turning points for Emmas transformation is the Box Hill incident where Emma cruelly insults Miss Bates. Jane Austen uses Mr Knightely to enter her novel to criticise Emmas behaviour Better be without sense, than misapply it as you do. In Clueless, it is taunt who sparks Cher to make-over her soul. It is the incident when Cher insults Lucy tell she is a Mexican and Josh insults her saying your such a brat that is the vehicle for Chers moral education and ultimately making her a better person.Through these men, both Austen and Heckerling are able to criticise not only Emma and Cher, but the moral values society shape as acceptable. Through exploring both texts, it becomes increasingly evident that both authors have attempted to reflect their societies. Through their protagonists, they challenge societies standards and expectations and appeal to their audience to overcome these barriers. Therefore we come to the point that while compassionate nature does not change, the context and values do.