Transformations:
How has your perceptions of transformations been illuminated by your comparative study of the prescribed texts?
The responders understanding of transformations has been illuminated by a comparative study of Jane Austens Emma and Amy Heckerlings Clueless. The word transformation refers to the change of form or appearance. In order for Heckerling to transform Emma she needed to change the context of Austens 19th Century, English novel Emma to better fit her 20th Century American film, Clueless. Marriage, charity, wealth, owning a home and even the means of transportation are all things seen and acted upon differently in a more modern context. Through the responders understanding of these changes their perception of the transformation process has be illuminated.
Austens Emma and Heckerlings Clueless both focus around a central young female protagonist who have both been bought up without a mother and live with their fathers in an affluent, upper-class lifestyle. They both through a series of events and with the influence of their brotherly figure are forced to examine their own attitudes and behaviours, to follow their heart and learn what is really important. The shared similarities of the female protagonists allow the responder to interpret transformations leaving them with a better understanding of the transformation process and therefore their perception of transformations has been clarified.
Austens Emma is set in the 19th Century where strict values and codes of behaviour are prescribed for both ladies and gentlemen and terms such as virtue, honour, accomplishment and duty determine not only your rank but also your acceptance in society. Jane Austen explores what constitutes for proper and improper conduct within a small group of the privileged Highbury society. Even the means of transportation is something that was very different to modern day. People of an upper class travelled mostly by carriage. People of a lower class often didnt own a carriage and so walking was their only form of transportation, some gentlemen travelled by horseback but unlike most women would go by carriage or walk. Daily life in the 19th century was very different to modern times. This was a time before the mobile phone, computer or even the basic motor vehicle.
Heckerlings Clueless is a 20th Century Teen film that is set in Beverly Hills, America. By changing the setting Heckerling has transformed Clueless and bought Emma into a modern world full of mobile phones, shiny new cars, plastic surgery and excessive consumerism. The transformation of setting and context enables the responder to have a more thorough understanding of transformations which has been illuminated by the study of the comparative texts.
Jane Austen once said that Emma was a heroine whom nobody but myself will much like. When Emma is first introduced the responder can see that she has no mother, her elder sister has been married and has moved to London, her governess Miss Taylor has just been married and she lives alone with her father. Although Emma is often arrogant and vain the responder is forced to continually remind themselves that in Emmas defence she hasnt had a female role model or any real guidance from her father and so therefore it really isnt her fault that she often portrays herself with such selfish behaviour and attitudes.
Austens Emma has been transformed into Cher in Heckerlings Clueless. Emma and Cher share similar negative traits such as selfishness, snobbishness and they both believe that the world and everybody in it revolves around them. Unlike Emma, Cher is completely obsessed with her appearance, she is vain and spends a large amount of time shopping, grooming and dressing herself this is a result of the modern contexts obsession with looks. This can be shown when Cher is trying to convince Tai to let her give her a makeover; Dionne comments Cher's main thrill in life is a make-over. OK, it gives her a sense of control on a world full of chaos.
Austens Mr Knightly can be easily seen in Heckerlings Josh in Clueless. Both males are seen as brotherly figures for Emma and Cher and are the only people in their lives that see their idiosyncrasies which they can confront without judgement Josh exclaims to Cher You know, if I ever saw you do something that wasn't ninety per cent selfish, Id die of shock after Cher explains how she has spent many hours helping her teachers find romance. Mr Knightly and Josh both see potential in the females to be considerate and selfless. This shows how the change of context during the transformation process can change the responders perception, often quite profoundly.
Austens complex narrative style, allows the reader to continually reassess their view of the characters and events. Austens Emma is an Omniscient narrative this allows the responder not only insight into Emmas thoughts and opinions but also those from other characters this allows Austen to use irony throughout the novel. Even the plot of the film is ironic, Emma is a matchmaker and doesnt ever wish to marry but at the end of the book she realises her love for Mr Knightly only when she thinks he may end up with Harriet. Emma ends up marrying Mr Knightly, and Harriet ends up marrying someone that Emma didnt match her to and even thought was beneath her, Mr Martin.
This is very different from Heckerlings Clueless where the responder is continually being talked to through the film by Chers voice over. We are first introduced to Chers voice over at the beginning of the movie when Cher claims I actually have a way normal life for a teenager, we are all persuaded differently as we watch her pick her outfit out on a computerised fashion co- ordinater. This is the way in which Heckerling has transformed Austens ironic tone with sarcasm. This transformation highlights the responders perception leaving them with a defined understanding of transformations.
In Austens Emma, Emma visits a local poor and sick family and gives them soup; she also visits the Bates and gives them a leg of pork as well as other small gifts. Emmas charity is done in a very selfish way as she is giving to those less fortunate in order to give herself satisfaction. Also she only visits the poor local family as a way for her to walk past Mr Eltons house with Harriet. This has been transformed into Clueless when Cher is seen giving her maid Lucy her old throwaway or when Cher helps out with the Pismo Beach Disaster and you see her giving away things like Caviar and skis. Cher is giving in order for her to feel better after her fight with Tai. Mr Knightly and Josh however display charity selflessly. Mr Knightly charity is by simply treating those of a lower class with respect and dignity and not looking down or showing pity for them the way in which Emma does to Mr Martin or the Bates. Josh can be seen displaying his form of charity by supporting multiple charities. He is seen wearing a breast cancer t- shirt and a Amnesty international t-shirt as well as taking a true interest in world news. This demonstrates how charity in the modern world can be done to better not only a small area but can be beneficial for the whole. This transformation of context shows how in different eras charity can be displayed in different ways but in both context charity still stays a major theme. As a result of this the responders perception of transformations has been illuminated through the changes made during the transformation process.
The concept of marriage in both texts alters the responders perception of the transformation process as it illustrates how customary practices and values change over time. In Austens Emma marriage was merely to ensure ones financial security and uphold or gain status in society. Emma has no real need to marry as she is already from a wealthy family. Other characters that are from a lower class such as Harriet and Jane Fairfax need to marry in order to gain financial security. Marriage in Emma has been transformed into dating and relationships in Clueless. In a modern context teenage girls date before they even start thinking about marriage. Whereas in Emma young ladies marry almost instantly after they have met a gentlemen that is suitable for them. This is shown in Emma when Emma realises that she is in love with Mr Knightly they get married almost straight after the realisation that they both love each other. At the end of Clueless shots alluding to the marriage of Josh and Cher are hinted but then the audience realises that it is Miss Geist and Mr Hall and Chers voiceover interrupts with As if, I am only sixteen, and this is California, not Kentucky. This is another example of how the alteration of the context and setting can allow the responders perception of transformations to be illuminated.
Overall, by Amy Heckerling changing the setting, era and form of Jane Austens Emma she has developed the responders perception of transformations and enabled them to have an illuminated and comprehensive understanding of the transformation process.
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