Transformations

Transformations: How has your perception of transformations been illuminated by your comparative study of the prescribed texts?

„« Adaptation techniques: the various tools and technique Heckerling has employed to transform AustenЎ¦s classic to represent the modern 90s and maintain the same values illustrates how even after a transformation and cultural and historical context a text can remain the same projecting the same core values. Tools used by Heckerling:

- production design: represents CherЎ¦s child like nature, the colour creates empathy for her in the viewer. Solid block colours are used at the start of the film when Cher is clueless, the colour palate becomes more complex when Cher begins to transform. Her large house and assets exaggerate a hyper world and thus creates irony ЎV Ў§I have a way normal life for teenagerЎЁ

the weather represents how Cher sees the world; the lack of wind subtracts depths paralleling the Cher who also lacks depth.

- wardrobe and hair and makeup: CherЎ¦s clothes represent wealth and social class, they convey fun and immaturity, the solid colour palate represents lack of depth and the fact the Dionne dresses very similar to Cher illustrates the control cher has over her.

In contrast to josh, his cloths are daggy but the conveys his sense of reality, not trying to impress. In the transformation process CherЎ¦s costume changes which represent her freedom and maturity, she matches josh.

- acting: theatrical style which presents a heightened and exaggerated world which Cher lives in. CherЎ¦s acting changes to naturalistic in the scene Tai says she likes josh and Tai becomes theatrical.

„« Paralleling themes: the themes that have remained the same throughout both texts are represented in closely related scenes and events with the only difference being changes in cultural and historical context. The similarities however, inform the responder of residual values through the use of comedy such as satire and irony, thus transforming the responderЎ¦s perspective to consider how different contexts still uphold old values and prejudices. Both characters are wealthy, popular, self-centred, in control of their universe, parochial, think highly of themselves, lack a maternal figure in their lives, have over-indulgent fathers and a lack of self awareness.

„« Social structures: Austen mocks the upper classes- popular

Heckerling mocks the rich teenagers- upper classes

Both composers use satire and irony to mock social structures. Heckerling uses CherЎ¦s voice over to project irony to the visual scene (opening scene Ў§I have a way normal life for a teenager.ЎЁ) Austen uses irony and satire to mock Emma and her way of life (Ў§little to distress or vex herЎЁ)

Austen used irony for satiric as well as comic effect. Often, then, the ironic comments in her novels do more than expose her characters' misguided assumptions; irony helps her condemn the social norms that help foster such beliefs.

„« Societal values: EmmaЎ¦s culture is one which values social hierarchy, wealth, tradition, marriage, religion- a patriarchal society with traditional gender roles. CherЎ¦s nouveau rich world is a glossy secular consumer-orientated culture

- Emma Woodhouse is part of the rich, upscale society of a "large and populous village" in nineteenth century England, while Cher Horowitz lives in rich, upscale Beverly Hills, U.S.A. In Highbury, the Woodhouses are "first in consequence there. All looked up to them." (7) Cher and her father are also among the cultural elite; he is a litigation lawyer, a prestigious and lucrative occupation in one of the most affluent cities in the world. Cher is also one of the most popular girls at her school. The description of Emma that Austen gives is also a description of Cher. She is "handsome, clever, and rich, with a comfortable home and happy disposition." (5) However, we shall see that Emma and Cher are not as perfect as they may seem.

- Because of their wealth, both Emma and Cher are spoiled, in control socially, and tend to think too highly of themselves. This is a result of the lack of a maternal figure in their lives, as well as their fathers' over-indulgence. Cher has everything a teenage girl could want: money, her own Jeep, a huge wardrobe, et cetera. Like a