Movie and Book Comparison: Clueless and Emma

             It can be said that in the production of "Clueless", Amy Heckerling has used Jane Austen's "Emma" as a stimulus. However, it is evident that through her transformation of purpose, context and values that "Clueless" is a text in its own right and should not be overlooked as an insightful view into the social constructs that exist within the world today. In analyzing the purpose behind Amy Heckerling's "Clueless", one must also consider the audience, context and text type, as each is related to the other. The target audience of the text is the teenage generation. With this in mind, Heckerling has appropriated the text such that it entertains this audience while successfully communicating her views to them.
             Text type is also an important component to be considered in relation to purpose. Film 'has an unspoken obligation to entertain the audience at a fast pace' . This complements the high pace of society today and therefore has the ability to 'inculcate ideas and influence thinking' . If part of the purpose were to communicate personal views to the audience, it is evident that in the present context, film is an appropriate medium to use. In relation to the context of the film, it is seen that a novel, as chosen by Jane Austen, would not suit the relative purpose. In the context of "Emma", reading was seen as evidence of intelligence in a lady, especially in relation to what she read "...he never read the...Children of the Abbey [or] heard of such books before I mentioned them..." Emma's 'project' Harriet's acclamation of such a novel is in fact indicative of her limitations regarding education and taste. It may have been the aim of Austen to validate "Emma" through the skill of her writing. This is no longer necessary however, as women are now seen as equal to men, and the social importance placed upon reading has somewhat diminished. Rather, the present fast pace of life as well as the appreciation of 'bigger and better...

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Movie and Book Comparison: Clueless and Emma. (1969, December 31). In MegaEssays.com. Retrieved 16:59, March 28, 2024, from https://www.megaessays.com/viewpaper/70747.html