The transformation of the Jane Austens novel Emma into the Amy Heckerlings teen-pic Clueless, involves changing the original text in to another medium set in a different context to allow a re-assessment of the values present in the text thus enabling the audience to gain a greater insight and appreciation of the ideals and concerns outlined by Austin in Emma. The themes presented by Austin in Emma are universal and timeless which enables Heckerling to adapt them to a context a modern audience can reflect and relate to, thus generating a greater understanding of the social commentary made by Austen on social class, marriage and education of the 19th century. Heckerling does not devalue Emma and the essence of what is said is not changed however Heckerling goes further than just a transformation and comments on modern issues such as sexuality, education and social equality relevant to her time. This allows the texts to resonate with each other with the known reflecting upon the new and the new reflecting on the known.
Both Emma and Clueless deal with a society in which social structure and values are criteria for assessing people. Austen establishes the society of Highbury a large and populous village, to reflect and satirise the 19th century society, highlight the rigid and class conscious values of this context. Social class was determined by a persons wealth, family and marriage. It was considered unacceptable to marry outside your social class. Austin illustrates the restraints of social class through the establishment of particular relationships and characters. The very pretty but not remarkably clever Harriet Smith embodies the difficulties in socialising outside ones social class and Emmas dialogue I could not visit a Mrs Robert Martin of Abbey-Mill Farm illuminates the social restrictions of the class hierarchy if Harriet were to marry Mr Martin. Furthermore Mrs Elton and her marriage to Mr Elton shows the benefits that marriage has on a persons social status
In Clueless the far removed framework of the Highbury society is taken and places it in a Beverly Hills High School, Bronson-Alcott, to accommodate the change in context as Heckerling represents the social restrictions in Emma for a modern audience to understand and to inform them that such social segregation still exists in todays society but has become less rigid with social class in this context is determines by not only wealth but also by interests and images. The social segregation in Emma is mirrored in clueless through the cliques that exists in the school yard. An establishing panning shot of the school shows the existence of different groups such as the Persian mafia who only drive BMWs, and the loadies or drug users. Costuming is also used to visually represent the class separation with Cher and her groups chic clothing contrasted to the flannelettes of the loadies.
Due to the different context that they are set in the composers comments on social standards may vary but this inturn allows the responder to evaluate and re-examine the issue which helps generates a greater insight.
Marriage in Austens time was the objective of all women but was commonly entered into for social and financial benefits rather than love. This motive is evident in the marriage of Mr and Mrs Elton, which is highly beneficial to Mrs Elton status and finance but is a loveless marriage. Austen illustrates her disapproval of this intention by establishing the handsome, clever and rich, Emma Woodhouse as a highly eligible woman to marry as she posses wealth, social status, good family and is beautiful. However Emma holds an independent view not to marry, a single woman of good fortune is always respectable and may be as sensible and pleasant as anyone else and Austen contrasts this with the common status rising and financial security purpose, voicing her opinion that marriage should be entered into for love.
Heckerling recites this situation but accommodates the change in contexts by creating the highly desirable Cher who in agreement with Emmas desire not to wed, remains a virgin, saving herself for Luke Perry, similarly contradicting the social norm of her context. Thus the transformation process generates a deeper understanding of such an independent and controversial view held by Emma.
Further examinations of social values is made as Frank Churchill also goes against social expectations and commits the moral sin through his engagement to the penniless Jane Fairfax and Austen reinforces her preference for marriages based on love not money. Heckerling transforms this notion to sexual freedom in Clueless with Christian also being a being a sinner by the conservative standards of modern societies as he is disco-dancing, Oscar Wilde reading, Streisand ticket holding, friend of Dorothy gay. By challenging the values of sexual freedom Heckerling enables the responder to confront their own preconceptions and examine the values embedded in their contemporary society and further relate these to the comments made by Austen, facilitating a better understanding of her contemporary society.
Furthermore both Austen and Heckerling make harsh judgments on education systems of their context. Austen mocks the value and benefits of education for women in the 19th century with the Harriet who attended Mrs Goddards school and receiving a very indifferent education. The accomplishments of which women received through education consisted of drawing, playing the pianoforte and needlework, which would be inevitably useless if a woman needed to gain employment, as discovered by the very accomplished Jane Fairfax. Heckerling also questions the American education system. The idea that Cher is able to negotiate her grades from a C to a B shows that little importance is placed on an education. The lack of knowledge the students receive is further convey when Cher correctly makes reference to Shakespeares Rough winds to shape the darling buds of May but fails to acknowledge who its by Duh its like a famous quote Cliffs notes. The transformation process allows the re-examination and reflection on the values of education in both contexts with each text aiding the others cause.
Through the use of the transformation process, Heckerling generates issues in Clueless that relate to contemporary society and yet are linked to the themes addressed in the original text Emma thus allowing the audience to reflect and relate to such issues and gain a deeper appreciation and understanding of the original text. The use of techniques relevant to their mediums allows Austen and Heckerling to subliminally portray their views and allow the responder to evaluate each society in the perspective of each composer. After studying both Emma and Clueless it is easy to see the texts compliment each other and allow the audiences to appreciate both in reference to their contexts and values.
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