Social class
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Transcript of Social class
Social ClassResearch Task
Under Class• Definition: The lowest social class in a country or
community, consisting of the poor and unemployed
Common stereotypes: • Money scroungers • Lazy• Stupid/uneducated • Spend a lot of time drinking and smoking • Careless • Not motivated
Under class representation in TV drama
Frank Gallagher – Shameless Frank is represented to be a very common
character, often using bad language and wearing scruffy clothing. Most of the time he is smoking and has a unmotivated and careless attitude. He looks un cared for and unhealthy.
Challenges or reinforces stereotypes?Frank reinforces hegemony and he fits all the
common stereotypes of an underclass person. He doesn’t have a job, lives in an unhealthy area and is presented to look scruffy and untidy. This also makes him the subordinate character in the TV drama.
Working class • Definition: People with unskilled, blue collar jobs
with low incomes
Common Stereotypes: • Mind lazy• Unproductive • Uneducated • Irresponsible • Unhealthy • Hardworking • Exploited
Working class representation in TV drama
Neil – The Inbetweeners Neil is a student who works in a supermarket. His
job in not particularly skilled. Neil often comes out with some unintelligent comments suggesting he is very clever. He likes to go out and have fun. He dresses quite casually and normal and has a strong sense of humour.
Challenges or reinforces stereotypes?Neil reinforces the stereotype of working class
people being slightly lazy, as he doesn’t strive for anything more. He is more focused on having fun rather than growing on the social ladder.
Middle class • Definition: Typically consists of people with
degrees from the less prestigious universities, usually including professionals, highly skilled labourers, and lower and middle management.
Common stereotypes: • Hardworking • Own expensive things• Educated and intelligent
Middle class representation in TV drama
Michael Byrne – Waterloo Road (Headmaster)Michael is always well presented. He respects other
people and has been highly educated himself. He is represented as a kind and hardworking person, striving to get the best out of other people. He is a polite character and always behaves respectably.
Challenges or reinforces stereotypes?The character reinforces hegemony as he has a
professional job. His costume is always neat and he is always well presented. He is in good health and is an overall polite person.
Upper class • Definition:
A class of people above the middle class, having the highest social rank or standing based on wealth and family connections.
Common stereotypes: • Snobby• Look down on people below them• Spoilt• Own expensive things• Sociable
Upper class representation in TV drama Cora Crawley – Downton Abbey Cora married into nobility. She and her family are
very wealthy and own a large manor and lots of land. She always wears extravagant and expensive clothing.
Challenges or reinforces stereotypes?Hegemony is reinforced through location and mise
en scene. She always wears expensive clothing, typical of someone from the upper class. Hegemony is challenged as she is not a snobby character therefore the stereotype of upper class people is challenged.
Which class has the power in TV drama?
In today’s society, power increases the further up the social ladder someone is. The dominant characters in TV drama tend to be the dominant characters, making the lower class and working class the subordinate characters, as they lack power within society.
Dominant & Subordinate Dominant group• Characters who have the most influence and control• The group in charge in society• Often use subordinate group to remain dominant
Subordinate group • Belonging to a lower or inferior class or rank• Controlled by people above them• Unequal treatment • Less power• Tends to be the minority in society• Weaker and less respected