Class, Capital and Consumption in "Clueless"

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses how Perre Bourdieu's concept of "distinction" (economic, social, cultural capital) complicates class in the film, "Clueless."

From the Paper:

"The term "class" carries many connotations, especially when relating it to Pierre Bourdieu's concept of distinction. Bourdieu introduces the idea of capital in relation to social, economic, and cultural class. If someone is identified as being "high class" they are generally considered to have high cultural capital, meaning that they are well educated in high cultural aspects such as music, art, or literature. But if someone is "upper class" this usually refers to his or her economic capital; this indicates that they have a good deal of money. While both of these terms use "class," the word has different meanings in each. Often when dealing with social structures, reference is made to a "social ladder" or certain "social classes." Those who distinguish themselves by this third set of "classes" possess varying degrees of the last distinction that Bourdieu describes: social capital. So, when using the word "class" at all, things become very complicated, especially when applying the word to a work, such as Amy Heckerling's 1995 film "Clueless." Since the word itself can include so many different associations, it is probably simpler to just discuss "Clueless" with reference to capital, since Bourdieu's distinction theory specifies the implications of each form taken by the word 'class'."

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