Using the opening scenes of Clueless and the opening chapters of Emma, compare the techniques that Heckerling and Austen use to alert us to how we should view Cher and Emma.
English Seminar:
Using the opening scenes of Clueless and the opening chapters of Emma, compare the techniques that Heckerling and Austen use to alert us to how we should view Cher and Emma.
Both texts use various techniques to present the two heroines, Emma and Cher. Emma is presented to the responder as an omniscient text, presenting the responder with all the character’s opinions as well as Austin’s opinion, particularly concerning the social hierarchy of the era. We are first presented with Austin’s perspective in the opening chapter of the book, when Emma is described as “handsome, clever, and rich with a comfortable home and happy disposition”. As well as this submissive description the responder is also shown Emma’s faults as “having rather too much her own way, and a disposition to think a little too well of herself”. As a result of the text being presented majoritivly through third person creating an objective status, the responder is shown that Emma has selfish tendencies despite all her good intentions. This is demonstrated to the responder as the wedding of a friend, with whom Emma shared “the intimacy of sisters”, is described in the text as “a gentle sorrow”. Despite the happiness of Emma’s dearest friend, Miss. Taylor (now Mrs. Weston), Emma thinks only of herself and the unhappiness and emptiness that will be felt as a result of Miss Taylor’s absence in the Woodhouse’s home.