Representation of class in TV drama

Downton Abbey

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lMjqSifgAA

Mise en scene

Servants bedroom is small, plain and dull- could be representative of their life, also cannot afford to have decorations such as the ones in the house eg. Big bookshelves, flowers, paintings which are very expensive

Daisy keeps looking up when walking through the house to empathise the large size and her admiring the decorations, however they are out of reach for her

Butler man wearing suit and neat hair, showing he is more wealthy and has to keep up higher reputation by looking presentable

Sound

• “Is the library tidy?” “Yes Mrs Hughes”Working class taking orders from higher class,Calling her Mrs Hughes not first name- she is higher class than them they look up to her, they show respect to higher class

• Bells ringing- “And they’re off” “No rest for the wicked”They are used to repetitive hard work and get few breaks

Editing

• Zoom in onto William’s face when reading the newspaper to empathise realisation

• Fast paced editing when servants are sitting at the table then the bells start ringing meaning they have to work. Highlights their work has to be done quickly and creates a busy atmosphere

Camera

• Long tracking shot of servant Daisy then the man, no cuts, showing the difference between them ( girl carrying bucket, man carrying crystal glasses) but linking them together to show that they are actually similar

• Close up of the keys then shows Mrs Hughes is holding them- shows she is higher status & more power and importance