Stereotype of Social Class in Downton Abbey

The stereotype of social class is shown in this clip to represent the different segregations in society in Downton Abbey and how that affects their life and how they treat the people around them. We are first shown in the extract an establishing shot of the scene focusing on the boys bicycle suggesting his job is all he's worth at that moment as they don't show his face which suggests he is unimportant. He then cycles through a dark patch of lighting yet ahead of him is a grand building shown in very bright lighting which shows he's lower in society so therefore is less noticeable. We then see the boy from a woman in a much more higher position through a point of view shot looking down at him from a high angle which shows her position of power. The music is very grand and we can hear the synchronous sound of birds which show it's a house in the country so would have cost a lot of money which shows this is a powerful family.

Bells are used to clearly so the different between social status as it is the servants job to work for the family while the family members live a life of luxury. They servants are wearing very plain outfits which shows they are not dressed fit for 'The Male Gaze' which shows that they are undesirable as they are there to work not to attract attention so their outfits aren't sexualised. This is shown in the kitchen where we are shown through them all rushing around and we can see diegetic sound used of everyone giving orders to each other. We can hear the synchronous sound of plates everywhere to show that the servants have a lot to do which connotes the idea of the consequences of being in a lower social class. We can see through shot reverse shots that they are either wearing non or minimal make up which shows they feel that they don't need to look good for anyone which tells us that they understand they are there to work and not to look nice.

We are then introduced to the Lord of the house and the music immediately changes to very grand music containing violins and piano which connotes the idea of elegance. He is the only character shown with a dog which shows that he has everyone under control. He moves from upstairs to downstairs which shows he was with higher status people and he's now moving downstairs to talk to the servants. The two floors show the physical separation between the two classes in society in the household. The Lord is wearing a suit like the other man and although he serves himself breakfast which shows he isn't taking advantage of his status in society as he recognises he can do things himself, a man is still on stand by in case he needs anything. This shows that the Lord is very powerful and well respected. 

Two upper class females then walk in who are dressed very elegantly and have done their hair in a very fancy style. This suggests that it is seen appropriate for their social class to dress fancy even if there is no particular occasion. They appear shocked at the sinking of the Titanic and believed that it was unsinkable which adds to the stereotype that women aren't as smart or as educated as males as they all appear to believe the news straight away. Cross cutting is then used to show the two women making themselves some breakfast which defeats the stereotype of women not being able to do things for themselves. This shows the division of classes in 1912 Britain where they thought gender affected your class as if you were a woman, you would be seen as not being able to do much so would be classed as unhelpful.

A telegram then arrives and the music becomes a lot more dramatic and tense which continues over a sound bridge as we follow the Lord walking down the corridor through a tracking shot. The Lord then arrives in the Ladyships room and he stands by the window and shallow focus and bright lighting is used on him to show he has more authority than the Ladyship. Levels are physically used to also represent this as the ladyship is sitting on the bed whereas the Lord is standing up so through shot reverse shots as they are talking and it is in the characters point of view, they are either looking up or down at the other person. The extract ends with shallow focus on the Lord as we zoom in on his facial features and we can see the stress and concern on his face. This suggests by being in a higher social class you have a lot of responsibility and can result in stress.