Jane Austen’s Emma is the inspiration for this classic 90s highschool comedy. Clueless uses Emma in a way that is both humorous and ironic. It addresses two different audiences: sophisticated readers of Jane Austen as well the fashion-obsessed superficial futile youths of today. Characters also share similarities due to the similarity of their times, including the changes in social landscapes. Clueless combines elements from Emma. This highlights the importance to combine traditional and modern styles.
Amy Heckerling uses irony in Clueless to remind us of Emma. Clueless’ events are very similar to those in Emma. They show how society has remained the same, and only gotten worse over time. Emma’s readers can’t help but laugh when they read the dialogue between Elton, Cher and the photographer: “Cher: I have her picture in my locker.” Elton : I have your picture in my locker.
In the novel context, it is easy to see Mr. Elton’s praise for Emma’s painting. It possesses Emma’s individuality and effort. Elton may have been making a joke about the misunderstood parts of Austen’s story when he says that Tai’s image was kept because Cher took it. Cher and the viewer will not be convinced. Clueless mimics Austen’s ironies, but makes them more relevant to today. It also expands on the ironic discourse by addressing new issues that were not prevalent in Austen’s day. Clueless’ irony is created by the converging of traditional and modern; by making an allusion to Emma while denying that allusion to focus on the contemporary issues. Clueless is a film that has ironic elements in it. Viewers who haven’t read Austen can still enjoy Heckerlings’ film for its social commentary. However, those who know Austen and can see the similarities between Clueless and Emma will be able to add an additional layer of irony. The sophisticated reader now understands the film’s commentary and the themes it touches on, such as superficiality, materialism and education.
Clueless is a perfect translation of Emma’s world into the 1990s America by imitating Emma’s characters. Clueless mocks high school romances. It’s not a romantic comedy. Austen used Austen to describe her world and its characters. Heckerling showed the full depth of social commentary in the film. As a pretext for a satirical look at the culture and times of today, Heckerling uses it to highlight and comment on important topics. Emma, set in 1810, shows the influence of money and social status on the changing landscape of England’s late eighteenth-century society. Emma also addresses the urbanization and industrialization of the 1810s, when the landed classes, including Emma and her parents, were the most influential in society. In Austen’s time, the majority of English lands were owned by the landed gentry, who rented their large estates for income. This included Emma and her family.
In the 90s, Los Angeles and other cities experienced an economic and technological boom. But only a portion of the populace, those who held aristocratic titles, could exploit the resources. They are blinded by their privilege and don’t realize what they have. Emma Woodhouse is an affluent woman with a false sense of self-importance. She believes she can make everyone happy. Her character is uncannily unempathetic. Heckerling portrayed the novel’s social commentary in Beverly Hills by creating Cher, a character whose traits are similar to Emma Woodhouse – beautiful, rich, known for matchmaking, gossiping, materialism. Cher’s voiceover states “I have a pretty normal teenage life.” We see Cher’s obscene privileged life and her complete lack of self awareness. The camera then focuses on Cher selecting outfits using a computerized program. She is looking at a variety of designer clothes in a luxurious closet. Cher, who thinks she’s normal, is actually a very wealthy woman with a privileged lifestyle. The situational irony that Cher is unaware of her own entitlement provides humour in the entire film.
Both audiences are ‘alazons,’ but for different reasons: one because they know Austen and the other because they don’t. This irony is so obvious that no one can escape it. Clueless takes inspiration from Austen’s work through satirical impulses, especially by depicting Cher as a character who does not realize her privilege, similar to Emma.
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