Discuss the ways in which the extract constructs
the representation
of Class and status.
The extract from Downton Abbey is set in April 1912 - this is shown through a crossfading title. The genre is a period drama as it follows a multi-strand narrative with many different storylines around different characters and is set in the past. The lower class and upper class are both shown in the extract. The extract begins with maids being awoken and one saying "for once I wish to wake naturally", showing that their day begins very early. The kitchen is the next focus and Daisy is shown being ordered to do the fireplaces. The kitchen has a very dark atmosphere with lots of old tools being used - showing the time period. Daisy is dressed a mucky dress, hair tied back walking past other servants. A tracking shot follows Daisy, showing how fast paced the downstairs of the house is and how busy the servants are preparing the house for the day. As Daisy appears upstairs the lighting changes completely, from a dark undertone the colours change to light and warm. Showing the difference between classes, lower class being a struggle and upper class being welcoming and happy. As she is upstairs another tracking shot begins, following Daisy through a maze of rooms as she heads for the correct one she needs, on her way a maid passes and the shot now tracks her through even more rooms, before finally the camera lands on one of the Footmen. This long shot emphasises the size of the house and therefore the wealth of the family who can afford to stay here and have so many staff.
This TV show follows a multi strand storylines but in the opening section the linear storyline is about the sinking of The Titanic. The narrative begins with the newspaper being made and the journalists reactions to actually hearing the news. At the house Carson is complaining the newspapers are late - not known to him is the reason - as they must have the papers ready for the Lord as he sits for breakfast. Eventually the papers arrive and one of the Footmen begins to iron out the newspapers, he is the first person in the house to find out the news of The Titanic. He quickly tells Carson who catches him pausing from his job, who is equally as surprised. As the Lord sits for his breakfast he opens the newspaper and can't believe the news. His daughters enter and wish him a good morning, reading the headline over his shoulder. They all begin to worry as they may have friends who were aboard The Titanic. There is a clear divide between the classes in the narrative as their use of vocabulary is different. The lower class (servants) do not hide their shock and are clearly affected by the news, exclaiming loudly etc. Whereas the upper class, even though they may have friends aboard keep their composure. The upper class also have different accents showing they most likely had a better upbringing than those in lower class.
As the rest of the house awake, significantly after the servants, and after ringing the bells signalling for the need of service we are introduced to the family. Starting with the Lord. As he walks to the grand staircase the music significantly slows its pace and becomes much more classical and peaceful, the change of sound therefore emphasises the change of class and how important this individual is. Not only does the music slow but the editing does also. There are a lot less fewer cuts which makes the shots flow at a steady pace and become more elegant matching that of the character, showing he does not have to rush anywhere, unlike his servants. He slowly descends the staircase alongside his pet dog and enters the dining room to begin breakfast. There is a huge difference between the volume of diegetic sound downstairs compared to upstairs in the house. Downstairs in the servants quarters there is a lot of background noise; plates and pans clanging, footsteps as people rush past, lots of talking and shouting amongst the servants. This shows how busy it is for the lower class. Upstairs there is a lot less background noise, only what is relevant to what is on screen; turning the page of a newspaper, clinking of a teacup being stirred, quiet footsteps as a lady enters the room.
Downstairs the mise en scene follows the conventions of the time and class. There is lots of equipment for all the different services to use and they are all dull, lacking in colour. Following the same rule as the lighting, as upstairs is much brighter with colourful décor. The furniture reflects that of the time and there is a large amount of the furniture itself, along with the huge open spaces of the rooms, again showing how wealthy the family are and how many people may visit the house at one time. Wide and tracking shots are used thoroughly throughout the extract, usually from an open door to reinforce the sizes of the rooms.
Costume also comes under mise en scene which for a show like this is massively important. They must be true to the time and reflect where each person is in status and class. Most of the servants in the house are in very plain comfortable clothing, however the servants that are allowed upstairs must keep their clothing clean and presentable at all times. After all they are reflecting the house and the people who live there. The butlers are an example of this as they are dressed much smarter than those say, in the kitchen who are not seen by anyone upstairs. The upper class wear smart suits and the girls wear colourful dresses with intricate decoration such as beads and gems, showing that more time and effort goes into their clothing.
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