Adaptation Semiotic Data Elaboration: Heathers

Heather’s final straw, Veronica’s party fouls

Remington Sexual Trauma vs Westerberg Party Public Humiliation

In the original movie Veronica’s refusing to have sex with a stranger at a college party as compared to the musical where she’s refusing to let the Heathers humiliate Martha at a party with their peers. 

Heather, alone in the bathroom after giving in to Brad spits a mouthful of water at her reflection. Here it looks like Heather struggles to respect herself; she can be so powerful in other contexts like school and within her friend group, but she can also feel that powerlessness when it comes to sex, (older) men, and the pressure to be liked/accepted/respected by them. The way she submitted to Brad disconnected from her true self and beliefs. When Heather confronts Veronica for not having sex with Brad, (“Brad says you’re being a real cooze,”) she says she wants to leave because she feels sick. Unlike Heather, Veronica isn’t here to please some dude she barely knows to get people to like or respect her. Heather replies, ‘Hell no.’ and Veronica throws up in the hallway. Heather smiles in a way that says Veronica’s relationship with Heather is over. Outside the party Heather admonishes Veronica for her actions; “Transfer to Washington, transfer to Jefferson. No one at Westerburg is gonna let you play their reindeer games.” 

In the musical, Veronica made a more clear and immediate choice (at least more under her control than puking) between saving Martha the embarrassment of the piñata prank and challenging Heather in front of peers deemed part of the in group and falling out of the Heather’s good graces, it wasn’t a matter being coerced into doling out sexual favors to men, on the line was whatever was left of Martha’s pride and dignity. Either way, both parties are symbols of status and acceptance, and so are the actions Veronica refuses to be a part of. 

This difference in party fouls speaks to the changing in landscapes of morality when it comes to “big fun.” Things that used to be accepted aspects of a good time like  sexual coercion and humiliation are much more frowned upon now, the former much more so I think. The co-writer of the musical, Kevin Murphy, says he “aimed to open up themes of hope and optimism in the Heathers story,” and I think the shift from date rape to public humiliation helps us see Veronica as more of a rebel with a cause to protect others in the musical. 

I think the difference in the party fouls are interesting. Sex (at self-expense) for power vs humiliation (expense of another) for power.