In the novel Emma by Jane Austen and the film Clueless written and directed by Amy Heckerling, the importance of social status is a value that is represented in both texts. It is represented through a number of techniques which all reflect the changing contexts and values between Jane Austen’s time, and the 20th century. Social status was something that was important in the 19th century. People wouldn’t mix if they weren’t of the same class, and it was considered a large thing if they did. This is shown in Emma when Emma is offended and doesn’t want to go to the Coles’ party. Even though the Coles’ are wealthy, they are considered lower class because they are involved in trade. So, Emma was slightly offended when she got an invitation because it disregarded the social rules of her time.
This value is also shown in Clueless when Cher tries to pair Tai with Elton. When Cher and Tai first meet, Cher tries to transform Tai into someone of higher status by giving her new clothes and a makeover and convinces her to turn down any dates from Travis. After this, she then proceeds to pair Tai with Elton because she thinks that they’re of the same social class and would be a good match. They then realised where she fit on the social ladder and realised she would be a better match with Travis, and they could not change her class.
Even though Emma and Clueless both include the theme of social status, the value is slightly different in both texts. This is true due to the fact that in Emma your social status is defined by your wealth, and in Clueless your social status is defined by the things that you have. These two things tie together, but in Emma, your wealth comes from your heritage and your family, and in Clueless you can buy your own material things. This is represented due to the fact that Emma’s family is very rich and they are very high up on the social ladder. And in Clueless, the nicer Cher’s clothes and car are, the more she is loved and respected.
Also, the values are portrayed very differently in both of these texts because of the different setting. They are portrayed differently due to the use of visual and other forms of techniques.
In Emma, the importance of social status is shown through the use of dialogue. By using this technique, Jane Austen was able to show emotion and thoughts that Emma was thinking and feeling during the novel, which in turn shows us who fits where in social class. For example, when Emma is speaking of the Cole family and their party, we realise they are of a lower social status to the Woodhouse’s and Emma is not interested in going to their party. This is shown in the quote, “The Coles were very respectable in their way, but they ought to be taught that it was not for them t o arrange the terms on which the superior families would visit them.” This shows how Jane Austen has used dialogue to show this value of social status in appropriate context.
In Clueless however, the way the importance of social status is shown had changed dramatically. In this film, Heckerling has used costuming to show the differences and importance of social class. For example, in the wedding scene Cher and Dionne are both wearing pink, but Tai is wearing blue. Also, Josh and Murray are dressed up nicely, and Travis is wearing a t-shirt. This shows that in this group there are obvious social levels, and that Travis and Tai are lower than the others and dress to reveal this. This reveals a changing context in that in 20th century Beverly Hills, clothing was very important in revealing social class. As portrayed in most of the film, the more flamboyantly you dress, the higher in status you are, or the more popular you are. This is shown through the fancy costumes that Cher and Dionne wear, and how the gross boys dress in baggy pants and backwards caps.
Also in Clueless, the importance of social status is shown in dialogue when Cher is talking about high school boys being gross, and that you should never date one. She says, “I don’t know why Tiannes going out with a high school boy. They’re like dogs. You have to clean them and feed them, they’re like these nervous creatures that jump and slobber all over you.” This shows through dialogue the importance of social status in dating, but it also shows the changing context. The context has changed because in 20th century Beverly Hills, the way people deliver dialogue has changed. People talk quite differently now to what they did in 19th century England. It is more obvious in Clueless when somebody dislikes someone, compared to in Emma when somebody dislikes someone. This is due to the fact that the language is different, and people say things more abruptly in the 20th century.
In conclusion, the value of importance of social status in society is definitely shown in both the novel Emma and the film Clueless. This value is represented in many ways in both, while a variety of techniques is used. These techniques also show how the changing context from the 19th century to the 20th century have affected the portrayal of these values.
