I've seen Clueless and heard a loose summary of Emma and I can see the similarities. It seems that both of the characters come from rich backgrounds and are very spoiled, but want to do good in the world. Both Cher and Emma are kind of disillusioned with banality of their lives and try to find excitement by hooking people up among other things. They both are trying to prove themselves as intellectuals too. Cher's character comes off a lot less intellectual though, and I think that is mainly because of the fact that it was made pretty recently. It uses a lot of pretty lame slang of the time and her personality is the stereotypical valley girl type, whereas Emma is a more refined member of the upper class who is just bored with her life.

Whitney
I don’t think that the girls in these movies are actually try to get true love, they know only small parts of these men’s lives and couldn't possibly really love their desirers because they don't know the men. I think in both stories that these girls aren't the ex- girlfriends of the guys and if that is true then they can't possibly know what it is like or takes to be with or love that man. They should respect any women with him and honor anyone’s right to be happy. There are plenty of men in the world, and sorrow if people are happy together doesn’t interfere. Whitney Curd

I really like this excerpt because we have to wonder about the reasoning behind the thoughts of Emma. As Harriet does seem to be the naive one, I think that Emma feels obligated to 'protect' her as such. The way she talks so well about Mr. Elton ,it partly shows how she cares for Harriet and that she should be well-taken care of. With regards to Mr. Martin, the harsh words that she uses, for example, 'an inferior creature', one would have to question what is behind this so-called hatred? What makes her feel that she has the right to be so judgemental. I also find the comparison of the men slightly amusing because we, as girls, do it all the time.

Sandhya Kharidehal

John Killough Wangel

From this reading, it seems that Emma is extremely judgmental and somewhat manipulative. Her friend, Harriet, seemingly likes a man named Mr. Martin who Emma judges as just an improper farmer. Instead, Emma begins to try to talk up Mr. Elton as a very kind gentleman. At the beginning of the excerpt from chapter 5, the two characters clearly express concern that the class-conscious ideas of Emma are not productive for Harriet as they seem to agree the relationship of the two is a poor idea. In the end, you get the feeling that Harriet is kinda and naive, while Emma is unfairly judgmental.

This passage is interesting in that we can see the nature of Emma as a person, especially her arrogance towards others. I found it rather demeaning when she said to Harriet, "The misfortune of your birth ought to make you particularly careful as to your associates" (30). She speaks to Harriet as if she were a mere pauper talking to a noblewoman, which would be very offensive if I was Harriet. I don't know the context of their relationship, but it still seems as if Emma is talking down to Harriet as a lesser individual. It's also interesting how Emma degrades Mr. Martin to make him seem less appealing to Harriet by calling him a "very inferior creature" and pointing out other prospects that Emma views as more suitable for Harriet (32). It seems though, that Harriet does not find Mr. Martin nearly as distasteful as Emma finds him; Emma calls herself a matchmaker, and it is obvious that is she is so, but one has to wonder if she is making matches based on compatibility or her own personal gain.

Kristen Cone

Reading the Emma excerpt was amusing because I had the visual of the clueless girls speaking in the language of Jane Austin's novel. The excerpt from Emma was hard to follow and it was a little strange how they were comparing the men. I'm sure it would make a little more sense with an extended reading. Overall though, this looks like it should be a fun presentation, and hopefully a visual will help me out a little more with the Emma script.

I'm not quite sure of the time period, but it sounds like a typical issue of the Elizabethan era. If I understood the text correctly, the women are trying to set Harriet up with a proper man. A proper man however is not defined as a person that would show Harriet love, compassion, and honesty. A proper man is a well educated, self-confident, financially stable gentleman who is of an appropriate social status. Judging by the title, Emma is the main character. She is also the only one to notice that love would plays no factor in the relationship.

I have a knew appreciation for Clueless. Hearing Emma drag on about Mr. Elton's substantial income, sizeable house, and something about walnut collection just doesn't exactly appeal to me. There's just something different about Victorian lifestyles and present day college life. Not like Clueless does easier, but it gets it's point across in a much more agreeable way. I find it hard to envision upper class English talking about which man is more respectable and "good humoured".

“His appearance was very neat, and he looked like a sensible young man, but his person had no other advantage; and when he came to be contrasted with gentlemen, she thought he must lose all ground he had gained in Harriet’s inclination.”(pg 31) Emma is clearly preoccupied with status. Throughout the passage she is very critical of Mr. Martin referring to him as “clownish” and explains to Harriet that she “did not expect much.” (pg 32) Emma degrades Mr. Martin because he is not a member of the social elite, and she considers herself an expert on the issue of what makes a gentlemen. Because Emma holds her opinions so high, she feels that it is her duty to steer Harriet’s intentions. “Mr. Elton was the very person fixed on by Emma for driving the young farmer out of Harriet’s head. (pg 34) She does not do this out of friendship though, according to Emma, Harriet was “not the superior woman which Emma’s friend ought to be.” (pg 35)

Lindsey W
This section reminds me of high school girls. Two friends trying to find the right guy for the other one. Comparing and contrasting the different options. This also reminds me a lot of pride and prejudice. with all the men that seem to be competing it reminds me of Mr. Collins, Mr. Whickham, and Mr. Darcy competing for Elizabeth. I'm excited to find out how this conversation turns out tomorrow.

It is hard for me to tell what i am suppossed to talk about here, I know who the audience is and I know the main gist of the movie, but it is hard for me to go into much depth. Look forward to talking about Clueless tomorrow. They are suppossed to be looking for love, and comparing men? High school girls....

Brett Luskey

I'm not exactly sure what I should comment about on this section of Emma because I don't really know what's going on here. Emma was looking for some symptoms of love when Harriet was speaking about Mr. Martin, but then when Miss Woodhouse doesn't think much of him, she seems offended. Miss Woodhouse then compares him to Mr. Knightley and describes him as "so very fine a man." Harriet then asks her to compare Mr. Martin with Mr. Weston and Mr. Elton. The two women get into a comparison about why the men are or aren't like each other.

Bridget Kaiser