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Home > English > Advanced > Module A: Comparative Study of Texts & Context > Elective 1: Transformations > Emma and Clueless

Emma and Clueless

Unit outcomes
Clueless:
Part one – The introduction
Part two – The debating class
Part three – Home and family life
Part four – School and the mall
Part five – Josh and Cher
Part six – The P.E. lesson
Part seven – Adopting Tai
Part eight – The Party
Part nine – Christian
Part ten – The freeway
Part eleven – A series of disasters
Part twelve – Cher’s self-discovery
Part thirteen – The makeover of Cher’s soul
Sample assessment task


Unit outcomes

This unit requires you to:

Compare texts and explore them in relation to their contexts.

Consider the effects of context and questions of value.

Consider how social, cultural and historical contexts influence aspects of text.

Consider how changes in context lead to changed values being reflected in texts.

Consider language, purpose, audience, content, values and attitudes in the texts.

Consider different readings of texts.

Develop imaginative, interpretive and analytical texts.

The following unit gives some commentary on the texts, while providing you with questions to investigate which will further extend your own understanding and appreciation of the texts. It is assumed that you have already read Emma and done some research on the society in Jane Austen's time. It is also assumed that you have viewed Clueless.

The film has been broken down into sections, which allows for detailed comparison with relevant sections from Emma.

CLUELESS

Part one – The introduction

The film begins with a quick sequence of shots showing Cher shopping, driving, at a party and spending time with her friends. The accompanying song is "Kids in America". What is our immediate impression of setting and character from this opening?

When Cher's voice over begins, she tells us that we probably think her life looks like a commercial, but we are to believe that this is actually what her life is like. She tells us she has a "way normal life". How has Heckerling created an immediate sense of irony by then showing Cher choosing her clothes by computer and then stating "Daddy's a litigator...he argues with me for free 'cause I'm his daughter". Read the first chapter of Emma for the upbringing that Emma has received and the character traits that have been forged. Be aware of Austen's authorial voice in qualifying these descriptions, for example, Emma "seemed to unite some of the best blessings of existence"..."The real evils indeed of Emma's situation were the power of having rather too much her own way, and a disposition to think a little too well of herself..." Compare the techniques that Austen and Heckerling have used to alert us to how we should view Emma and Cher.

Heckerling has also created humour through the narrative voice-over when Cher tells us that she and Dionne are both named after great singers of the past who now do info-mercials. She also says of Murray and Dionne's "dramatic relationship" that they have seen "that Ike and Tina Turner movie too many times". Explain this type of humour and comment on the audience that it appeals to.

We then see Cher walk through the grounds of the school alone in a bright yellow outfit. She reflects on her distaste for slobbering high school boys and when one of them crashes right into her she cries "Oh! As IF!" What have we already discovered about her character in the opening of the film? Read Emma and Harriet's conversation about marriage in Chapter Ten in Emma. Compare Cher's disinterest in high-school boys with Emma's disinterest in marriage. "I have none of the usual inducements of women to marry...I believe few married women are half as much mistress of their husband's house, as I am of Hartfield...A single woman, with a very narrow income, must be a ridiculous, disagreeable old maid!...but a single woman, of good fortune, is always respectable, and may be as sensible and pleasant as anybody else." What do we learn about the contexts of each of the texts through these examples?

Part two – The debating class

The subject that Cher has to debate is: "Should all oppressed people be allowed refuge in America?" She bases her argument on an anecdote about throwing a party for her father and having people that had not replied turn up at the last minute. She coped by taking the view, "the more the merrier". Suggest reasons why Cher does not take the issues dealt with in her debating class seriously.

Part three – Home and family life

As Cher approaches her home she tells the audience that the columns at the front of the house are "classic" as they date back to 1972. As she enters her home she draws our attention to a huge portrait of her dead mother near the front door and explains that she died in a freak liposuction accident. What impression are we developing of the world that Cher lives in? Compare the settings that Austen and Heckerling have presented. In both contexts there is tedium to the lives led by the main characters. Just as we have been alerted to Cher's limited experience, Austen made it clear that Emma's world was a very restricted one and that this contributed to her arrogance, "Highbury...afforded her no equals."

Upon his introduction, Josh is immediately established as the foil to Cher's character, for example, he tells her, "In some parts of the universe it's considered cool to know what's going on." When Mel compares his children he is glad that Josh has direction in his life. Cher protests that she too has direction and Josh quips, "Yeah, towards the mall!" Consider how Cher reacts to Josh's criticism. In Emma it is obviously Mr Knightley who is responsible for clear-sighted judgement. He speaks firmly and logically with and about Emma, often expressing his disapproval. Read Chapters One and Five to find evidence of this. "And ever since she was twelve, Emma has been mistress of the house and of you all." Consider what it is about their relationships that allow Josh and Mr Knightley to play this role.

Part four – School and the mall

Cher attempts to manipulate her teachers to change her grades on her report card. Mr Hall, the debating teacher, is the only one who refuses. To re-think her tactics she goes shopping at the mall where she hits upon the idea that Mr Hall needs to be made happy. As she scans the staff room for potential partners she is drawn to Miss Geist - "This woman is screaming for a makeover and I'm her only hope." Cher aims to manipulate and control. Are any of her motivations altruistic? In Emma, Emma is used to getting her own way and being adored by all. She dislikes John Knightley (married to her sister Isabella) because of his bluntness, which was often perceived by Emma as being "ungracious". However, more significantly, "she might have passed over more had his manners been flattering to Isabella's sister, but they were only those of a calmly kind brother and friend, without praise and without blindness..." As Cher fails to accept Mr Hall's reasons for being critical of her, Emma fails to take John Knightley's criticisms seriously. In Chapter Thirteen he tells her to regulate her behaviour with Mr Elton and "look about you, and ascertain what you do, and what you mean to do." She smugly and ironically thinks that John Knightley has based his judgement on "partial knowledge of circumstances" and that "people of high pretensions to judgement" are the ones likely to make such errors.

List examples of colloquial or slang expressions used in the debating class which are particular to the context of this film. What do they contribute to the film?

Part five - Josh and Cher

Josh is impressed that Marky Mark is supporting a Tree Planting Environmental group with which he is involved. When Cher says sarcastically that he must be taking time out from his "pants-dropping schedule", Josh's retort is a personal criticism of Cher - "Maybe Marky Mark wants to use his popularity for a great cause." List the things that Cher tells Josh she has done for others. Does she put forth a good defence? In your opinion, is Josh being too harsh when he says, "If I ever saw you do anything that wasn't 90% selfish I'd die of shock"? Following this conversation is there any indication that Josh's comments are weighing on Cher's conscience? How does Dionne contribute to Cher's egotism? It is implied throughout Volume One of Emma that Emma turns to matchmaking pursuits to relieve the routine of her mundane life in Highbury. Find evidence that she seeks amusement for herself as a response to the dreariness of her lifestyle.

Part six – The P.E. lesson

What do the various excuses that the girls proffer for not participating in sport contribute to our appreciation of the context of the film?

The new student Tai is introduced in this scene. How has Heckerling employed irony in Cher's response, for example, her comment, "She's so adorably clueless"? Cher thinks that by "adopting" Tai she is using her popularity for a good cause. Is this true?

Examine the language that is used by the girls in this scene. Lines such as, "Our stock would plummet" and "I could really use some kind of herbal refreshment", tell us much about the society and culture which the film is representing.

Part seven – Adopting Tai

Dionne and Cher take Tai on a tour of the social scene at school. There are distinct groups which they classify according to what they wear, where they sit and what their interests are. What do we learn about the social hierarchy that exists in Cher's world? What do Tai and Travis have in common? Why do Dionne and Cher disapprove of him? The distinction between social classes in Highbury is a strong feature of the characterisation and setting in Emma. The gentry (Emma's class) are extremely class conscious. To own property was essential to social status and according to Emma, the middle rank of tenant farmers weren't worth knowing - this is why she is so disparaging of Mr Martin. When Mrs Elton arrives in Highbury in Chapter Fifteen of Volume Two, her "foreignness" to Highbury is immediately apparent to Emma, who finds her manners vulgar. Mrs Elton humiliates Emma by suggesting that she could use her well established connections to introduce her to the more cosmopolitan world of Bath. "The dignity of Miss Woodhouse, of Hartfield, was sunk indeed!" Consider whether the theme of social snobbery appropriates with ease from the context of Emma to the context of Clueless.

Comment on the use of Jill Sobule's song "Supermodel" for the makeover scene.

Cher is very keen to see whether Josh approves of the way she has been instructing Tai. He says that he is amazed that she found someone more clueless than herself to worship her. Define "clueless", based on your understanding from the film. Josh's reaction is a direct appropriation of Mr Knightley's reaction to Emma and Harriet's growing intimacy. He expresses his misgivings to Mrs Weston in Chapter Five - "She knows nothing herself, and looks upon Emma as knowing everything. She is a flatterer in all her ways; and so much the worse, because undesigned. Her ignorance is hourly flattery."

How does Cher try to bring Tai and Elton together. Can you suggest reasons why Heckerling may have retained this name from "Emma"?

Part eight – The party

Cher tries hard at the party to raise Elton's interest in Tai. Discuss how her naivety is highlighted. She also interferes in the relationship between Travis and Tai. What is our response to this interference? How has Heckerling elicited this response from the audience? In Emma, the natural relationship between Harriet and Mr Martin is thwarted by Emma's use of emotional blackmail. She tells Harriet after persuading her to reject Mr Martin's proposal, that "It would have grieved me to lose your acquaintance, which must have been the consequence of your marrying Mr Martin." Throughout the novel we see everything through Emma's eyes, but judge by Mr Knightley's standards as he alerts us to the injustice of Emma's matchmaking. "She was as happy as possible with the Martins in the summer. She had no sense of superiority then. If she has it now, you have given it. You have been no friend to Harriet Smith, Emma."

When Cher is repulsed by Elton's advances, he says "Don't you even know who my father is...You and me make sense." Although in a previous scene Cher identified Elton as the most popular guy at the school, what have we discovered his popularity to be based on? Compare Mr Elton's reaction in Emma; he too is incredulous at the suggestion of a match between himself and Harriet - "Miss Smith is a very good sort of girl; and I should be happy to see her respectably settled. I wish her extremely well: and, no doubt, there are men who might not object to - Everybody has their level: but as for myself, I am not, I think, quite so much at a loss." It is an effective aspect of both Heckerling and Austen's style that we recognise the snobbery of these characters so that Emma does not bear the entire responsibility for the disaster.

Part nine - Christian

How does Cher show her interest in attracting Christian's attention? Does Emma ever behave in a similar fashion in Emma? Why do you think Heckerling may have introduced this dimension to her film?

Josh is helping Mel with a case when Christian arrives to take Cher to a dance party. How has Heckerling conveyed Josh's romantic interest in Cher to the audience through the use of camera shots?

Cher thinks that Christian is falling in love with her. We see much of this scene from Josh's perspective. How does he see Christian? What does he see that Cher fails to see? Similarly, Mr Knightley suspects Frank Churchill of some "double-dealing" in his relationship with Emma and is suspicious of the trickery he witnesses during Frank and Emma's word game in Chapter Five of Volume Three. He feels anxious that Emma is being unjustly treated by Frank - "He could not see her in a situation of such danger, without trying to preserve her. It was his duty." Mr Knightley has all the noble qualities of a knight. How does Josh exhibit modern-day chivalry at the dance party?

How does Cher react when Josh dances with Tai? Which part of Emma does this scene relate to? She is still seeking Josh's approval and asks him "Do you notice any changes in her (Tai)?" His response maintains the tension between them - "Under your tutelage she's exploring the challenging world of bare midriffs".

Cher's preparation for her night alone with Christian reveals a lot about social conventions in this context, for example, she makes sure that there is something baking. What else does she do? The night is a disaster for Cher, who had hoped to lose her virginity. When Christian hurriedly leaves she is left wondering, "Did my hair go flat?...Did I walk into some bad lighting?" What has she failed to see that the audience now clearly sees? At the Donwell strawberry picking party in Chapter Six of Volume Three, Emma fails to glean why Jane Fairfax is so agitated and why Frank Churchill is so flustered and distant when he eventually arrives. For the reader who has been following the clues laid down by Jane Austen throughout the novel, it is by now clear that there is a clandestine relationship between Frank and Jane Fairfax. Frank has always assumed that Emma was aware of his secret; in his letter he claimed that unless he had believed that Emma felt indifferently towards him, then he would not have used their intimacy in the way that he did. There is much irony in the comment, "her quickness must have penetrated a part", as Emma had shown absolutely no penetration!

Part ten – The freeway

How does Murray react when Cher tells him and Dionne that she nearly had sex with Christian? List the terms he uses to describe Christian's homosexuality, for example, "Streisand ticket holding..." As Cher begins to feel extreme humiliation, Dionne accidentally turns onto the freeway where they are then caught in fast-moving, dangerous traffic. Cher screams hysterically. Consider why this is an effective metaphor that Heckerling has employed. Why is the freeway incident a turning point for Cher?

Part eleven – A series of disasters

Christian saves Tai from two "Barnies" at the mall. Tai's "brush with death" makes her suddenly popular. Dionne and Murray have started having sex and Dionne no longer seems interested in talking to Cher. She says, "It was like some sort of alternate universe". Which episode in the novel does this scene relate to? Do you think it is a successful appropriation?

When she pesters the maid, Lucy, for a special outfit that she thinks will help her in her driving test, Lucy gets flustered and reverts to her own language. Cher cries, "You know I don't speak Mexican". This is a real insult to Lucy, who comes from El Salvador. Josh calls her a "brat" for her insensitivity. In Emma, Emma's public insult towards Miss Bates whilst at the Box Hill outing is cruel and inexcusable. The shock of this incident is far more emotive than Cher's misdemeanor towards Lucy in Clueless. Give reasons why you think this is the case. Josh is present to brand Cher a "brat" in Clueless, while Mr Knightley is impelled to teach Emma a lesson in this climax of the novel - "Were she your equal in situation - but, Emma, consider how far this is from being the case. She is poor; she has sunk from the comforts she was born to; and, if she live to an old age, most probably sink more. Her situation should secure your compassion. It was badly done indeed!" How does Mr Knightley's criticism contribute towards Emma's transformation?

Cher fails her driving test dismally and can't talk her way out of failure as she has been able to do in the past. When she gets home she discovers Josh and Tai having fun together. Tai has come over to burn her shoebox filled with Elton memorabilia. She tells Cher that she likes Josh. When Cher tells Tai that she thinks that they don't "mesh well together", Tai is very cutting in her response - "Why am I listening to you anyway? You're a virgin who can't drive!" What does this tell us about the social values Heckerling is representing? Why do you think it is that in Emma, Emma does not tell Harriet that she is not a good match for Mr Knightley? If she had done so, do you think that Harriet would have acted caustically towards Emma?

Part twelve – Cher’s self-discovery

Cher describes herself as being "totally clueless". Yet as she contemplates the errors of her ways she passes a store window, sees something that she likes and her thoughts are interrupted, "I wonder if they've got that it my size?" The song "All By Myself" is used in this scene. When she makes the declaration, "I love Josh!", a fountain lights up in the background. Why do you think Heckerling chose to parody this part of the story? Had she dealt with the transformation seriously as Jane Austen did in Chapters Twelve and Thirteen of Volume Three, would it have been accepted by a contemporary audience? "Never had the exquisite sight, smell, sensation of nature, tranquil, warm, and brilliant after the storm, been more attractive to her."

Part thirteen – The makeover of Cher’s soul

Cher is inspired to take part in the Pismo Beach relief appeal and begins by donating many of her possessions. This scene is another parody, in that Cher brings out some skis that she doesn't use anymore imagining that they will be of benefit to the needy. Read Chapter Ten in Volume One of Emma. How has Jane Austen presented Emma's charity towards those less fortunate? How would you account for the differences you notice? Comment on the timing of the revelation of this dimension in Cher and Emma's characters in the respective texts.

She realises that she was wrong about Travis, who is also helping with the appeal and who is now attending drug rehabilitation. She apologises to Tai - "I have been going down a shame spiral".

Cher has been helping Mel with some of the administration for his legal case. One of the lawyers yells at her for setting them back by mixing up some files. Josh defends her and they kiss.

The wedding scene at the end of the film plays upon the social and cultural expectation that we have developed. Cher says, "You can guess what happened next", and we see a couple getting married, viewed from behind. But then the cliché is avoided as we hear Cher say "As if! I am only 16. This is California, not Kentucky!" So while we are presented with three weddings in the resolution to Emma, in Clueless there is only one to fulfill our desire to see this representation of a successful romance and the concept of "happily ever after", and that is the marriage of Miss Geist and Mr Hall. Which of our cultural expectations have been fulfilled by both texts?

SAMPLE ASSESSMENT TASK

Suggested Advanced outcomes: 1, 2, 2A, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 12A)

While the context, language and textual form have changed, the messages in Clueless are essentially the messages that Jane Austen communicated to her audience in Emma.

Do you agree?

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