Jane Austen’s Emma and Amy Heckerling’s ‘teenpic’ Clueless, show how the transformation can shape contextual and perspectival meaning as satirical reflections of Regency England and postmodern America. By adapting the society of Highbury and to the fast-paced modern Beverly Hills, insight is given into class, marriage and gender roles over the past two centuries. Techniques demonstrate aspects of society that have changed, others that have stayed the same.
Relationships and marriage is a theme that shapes the understanding of Emma and Clueless and their contexts, involving self-realisation of Emma and Cher respectively. ‘Marriages of convenience’ with people of class and wealth defined the Regency mindset. Marriage was very significant and would secure a woman’s future, financial assets and social status. Austen conveys this in the metaphor “It darted through her, with the speed of an arrow, that Mr Knightley must marry no one other than herself!” the arrow symbolises how Emma’s independence has been shot down and overrun by feelings for an ideal marriage candidate. When Emma reflects on Mr Elton’s attempt to court her, the hyperbole in “The Elton’s bloodline were nobody” highlights the attitude towards incompatible matches.
Similarly, Cher comments with contemptuously …show more content…
Mr Elton, when aware of Emma’s plans to match him to Harriet, expresses his disbelief through hyperbole: “I never thought of Miss Smith in the whole course of my existence…never cared if she were dead or alive…”He opposes any attachment to social inferiors, revealing an insight into the inflexibility of the Regency. Elton conveys similar values n his questions at Cher: “Why Tai? Why Tai? Do you know who my father my father is?” A long shot depicting a neon sign of a clown over Cher as is abandoned in the carpark, symbolises society’s mockery and disapproval to undermine systems of class and