Downton Abbey Representation Practise:
1. In this clip, there are representations of class and status, as well as gender.
Class & Status:
- upper classes require lower classes (maids & servants) to maintain their living spaces
- the amount of maids and servants present emphasises the wealth of the family
- despite status, everyone looks neat and tidy
Gender:
- most of the servants are women; maids
- reinforces stereotypes - women are to cook, clean, etc
- the man is the head of the family
2. How are They Represented? What are Their Lives Like?
Maids:
- maids have a never ending workload, having to attend to the every whim of the family; family more important, can't even finish eating
- servants viewed as invisible; employers carry out personal conversations, not worrying whether the servant hear or not
Wealthy:
- the man is aware of social injustices; comments on how the first class female passengers were saved first
- they are dressed in fine, beautiful clothes with more elaborate hairstyles in comparison to the servants.
Technical Elements:
Camera:
- Establishing shot of large manor; highlights wealth and grandiosity of the family.
- Tracking shot following the woman in the pink blouse, following alongside her as she does her job, and also highlights how chaotic it is to be a servant, with many maids darting about.
- Close-up shot of a bunch of keys in a woman's hand; almost a silhouette shot, which creates a sense of mystery and tension. The woman is revealed, and appears to oversee the whole process - is she in charge?
- Close-up of the father when receiving telegram; highlights its importance - could a loved one have passed away in the sinking of the Titanic?
- Close-up on the father's reaction, then he gets up and leaves; wide shot, potentially highlights how large the absence of his presence is.
Sound:
- One woman complains about not being able to sleep in; never gets the chance?
- Historical and almost exciting score (non-diegetic)
- Diegetic sounds of clinking glassess, etc ; creates a sense of verisimilitude
- Piano and string melody when the head of the house walks down the staircase - he is portrayed as grand and elegant through this song, as well as his posture and neat costume.
Editing:
- Continuity editing
- Jump cuts
- Long pause on the father as he reads telegram - bad news? - then cuts to an over-the-shoulder shot of his daughters glancing at him; news will affect them specifically?
- Sentimental music starts to play when the mother tells her father to tell Mary - was a lover or potentially brother?
Mise-en-scene:
- Lots of maids; wealthy enough to afford
- Two women dressed in white; portrayed as pure and innocent
- Well-lit
- Setting: old manor with grand decor
- We follow one of the maids in particular, dressed in a pink shirt; she has many responsibilities, making fires, helping in the kitchen, and setting out cutlery, dishware, and food.
- The maids have good posture, and walk about with a sense of urgency; do everything as best as possible in the least amount of time
- Maids know all the latest gossip/updates about things; overhear at work and share? ; close-knit family
- Mrs Hughes is wearing little to no makeup, and cross; upright and wise
- Juxtaposition between house and outside. House is bustling, but outside is peaceful
- After William finishes ironing, there is a rather random close-up shot of the iron which he had used to iron the newspaper. This, along with the month/year provided earlier, foreshadows what the newspaper is talking about - the titanic, as it looks similar to a boat.
- Sad looks on the parents' faces when they hear about the supposed fate of two men - knows how their daughter will react to it
- The servants have rather simple hairstyles, while that of the family they work for is more elaborate.
- There are many gold/gilded elements in the house, with grand elements and expensive trinkets
- The women are dressed in fine clothes