Similarities Between Emma And Clueless

Values are standards of behaviour and include what society considers being acceptable and what is not.

Jane Austen’s prose novel ‘Emma’ and Amy Heckerling’s contemporised version ‘Clueless’, share common values although they are reflected in changing contexts.

Throughout Austen’s novel, Emma demonstrates different qualities that her particular society valued. These include morality and charity, as well as marriage.

Marriage is central to most of Jane Austen’s novels as she sees that it is the foundation of a stable continuum. Emma is no different, as it too involves young people in pursuit of a life partner.

In Austen’s society, marriage was a way to secure property, wealth and class, yet Emma is one of the few, lucky enough to be free of

As context has shifted, due to women's liberation movements, marriage is no longer a necessity, but fundamentally still remains a desirable construct for women. This shift has also caused a slight alter in the values being represented in the two texts. Instead of simply focusing on marriage, Heckerling focuses on dating, sex and relationships in Clueless. While women in Emma search for marriage that will provide them with social stability, women in clueless instead search for the sexual connection that will provide equivalent social

These concepts show just how lucky Emma and Cher are to be wealthy and the moral responsibility that those with money, status and time have. Both protagonists perform charitable deeds, however for the most part, they do them for the self-satisfaction. Emma visits the poor and sick, yet this was part of a plan to walk past Elton’s house. Mr Knightley on the other hand simply loves to help others and doesn’t expect gratitude in return for his good deeds. This distinction between the two characters is also clear in Cher and Josh’s relationship. Emma gives away clothes that she no longer likes and it is apparent that she does not have a clear idea on the concept of charity for the benefit of others. Josh, like Mr Knightley, genuinely wants to help others and claims that he would die of shock if he ever ‘saw Cher doing something that wasn't ninety percent