The circumstances that form the setting for an event, otherwise referred to as the context is an undoubtedly fundamental factor in the development of any creative piece. This ideology is supported by an analysis on the Georgian era novel Emma and the 20th century film Clueless. Both texts manage to incorporate the themes of class and vanity, both of which maintain extreme prominence. An in-depth exploration of these themes provide a sophisticated comprehension of the social, political and historical context regarding each text. A thorough study of both Clueless and Emma provides insight into the way in which the movements of feminism and Post-Modernism as well as other historical events mould the interrelations between the creative pieces.
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Both texts place extreme priority on this theme and it itself is a major factor in many significant decisions for each character especially in regards to who they interact with. Within Emma, class was a detrimental factor in everything an individual did. This was apparent for the case of marriage, the necessity for two people marrying to be of the same class is exemplified within Emma’s musings ‘Perhaps it was not fair to expect him to feel how very much he was her inferior in talent, and all the elegancies of mind. The very want of such equality might prevent his perception of it; but he must know that in fortune and consequence she was greatly his superior.’ While there is an attempt to empathise with Mr Elton it is done in somewhat of a shallow manner and demonstrates an odd sort of elitism in the claim that he is unable to understand as he is too unfit to understand. This completely ties into class as Emma is titled as his superior due to her advanced fortune and consequence, she also furthers the analysis through stating ‘He must know that the Woodhouse’s had been settled for several generations at Hartfield, the younger branch of a very ancient family—and that the Elton’s were nobody.’ Through the use of contrast and hyperbole she Emphasised the improbability in him thinking that there was any …show more content…
This notion becomes apparent to Emma in her first failure at match making. Mr Elton expressed his distaste towards being paired with Harriet through his Bitter tone and hyperbole “I never thought of Miss Smith in the whole course of my existence…never cared if she were dead or alive…” A sense of class stratification is also portrayed in Clueless when Tai reverts to her original dress at the skateboard park in contrast to Cher, who dresses in a deliberate manner with a hair band, sweater, plaid skirt and stockings. The employment of distinct costuming places additional emphasis on the socioeconomic divisions between the matchmaker and the protege. The significance of costuming is further portrayed at a dining table during the final scene of the film set in a wedding. In this scene a newfound sense of social harmony is displayed now that the Tai and Cher have regained their previous positions in the social hierarchy. Overall, the notion that class status quo must be enforced for the greater good of social harmony has been transposed from Emma into
Both texts place extreme priority on this theme and it itself is a major factor in many significant decisions for each character especially in regards to who they interact with. Within Emma, class was a detrimental factor in everything an individual did. This was apparent for the case of marriage, the necessity for two people marrying to be of the same class is exemplified within Emma’s musings ‘Perhaps it was not fair to expect him to feel how very much he was her inferior in talent, and all the elegancies of mind. The very want of such equality might prevent his perception of it; but he must know that in fortune and consequence she was greatly his superior.’ While there is an attempt to empathise with Mr Elton it is done in somewhat of a shallow manner and demonstrates an odd sort of elitism in the claim that he is unable to understand as he is too unfit to understand. This completely ties into class as Emma is titled as his superior due to her advanced fortune and consequence, she also furthers the analysis through stating ‘He must know that the Woodhouse’s had been settled for several generations at Hartfield, the younger branch of a very ancient family—and that the Elton’s were nobody.’ Through the use of contrast and hyperbole she Emphasised the improbability in him thinking that there was any …show more content…
This notion becomes apparent to Emma in her first failure at match making. Mr Elton expressed his distaste towards being paired with Harriet through his Bitter tone and hyperbole “I never thought of Miss Smith in the whole course of my existence…never cared if she were dead or alive…” A sense of class stratification is also portrayed in Clueless when Tai reverts to her original dress at the skateboard park in contrast to Cher, who dresses in a deliberate manner with a hair band, sweater, plaid skirt and stockings. The employment of distinct costuming places additional emphasis on the socioeconomic divisions between the matchmaker and the protege. The significance of costuming is further portrayed at a dining table during the final scene of the film set in a wedding. In this scene a newfound sense of social harmony is displayed now that the Tai and Cher have regained their previous positions in the social hierarchy. Overall, the notion that class status quo must be enforced for the greater good of social harmony has been transposed from Emma into