The document discusses social class stereotypes portrayed in TV dramas. It defines social class and outlines stereotypes associated with the lower class (portrayed as uneducated and reliant on government benefits), working class (portrayed as unskilled laborers with low incomes), lower middle class (portrayed as stable careers requiring degrees but not top universities), upper middle class (portrayed as highly qualified professionals from prestigious industries), and upper class (portrayed as extremely wealthy landowners with titles and influence in society). Examples from TV shows Downton Abbey and House are analyzed to show how characters conform to these stereotypes through their mannerisms, clothing, jobs, and social hierarchies.

1. Social Class
TV Drama

2. Definition
 Social Class is a group within society,
specified by ones economic status, income,
culture, education. It can also be
distinguished by ones personal mannerisms
and often contains its own generalised
stereotype in regards to the behaviour and
nature of specific groups.

3. Stereotypes
 Lower Class- The stereotype for those within the lower class is
often that they fit upon the socio economic scale of the lowest
groupings (this being D and E). Those within the lower class are
often regarded as possessing little education, and are often
portrayed as inferior, undignified, lacking an articulate manner of
speech and posses a low/ no income, often unstable and
unhappy about their social position. And reliant upon the benefits
provided by the government.
 The presence of this class is debated and unofficially regarded,
however, there are those who do fit into this group in regards to
those who are unemployed and reliant upon government aid.

4. Stereotypes
 Working Class- The working class are regarded
as unskilled workers, often in positions of manual
labour or servitude (such as cleaners or catering).
They are often regarded as possessing a low
disposable income and can be portrayed as rather
hardworking and struggling financially. They can
also be portrayed as somewhat unorganised and
messy and perhaps lacking an element of dignity
in their manner of speech.

5. Stereotypes
 Lower Middle Class- Often rather respected
within society, believed to possess a stable
income and a fair disposable income.
Portrayed as possessing stable employment,
and a high education, possessing a career
that requires a degree, however not
necessarily obtained from a top University.
They are rather formal and well spoken.

6. Stereotypes
 Upper Middle Class- They are from a high education
and have a influential and well paid position of
employment. They are regarded as highly qualified and
are seen to own employment within well respected
industries such as within Health, politics, law and
possibly the media (for example a news
presenter/broadcaster). They are often portrayed as
rather proud of their lifestyle, possessing a degree of
formality and seriousness within their body language,
as well as highly articulate in their speech.

7. Stereotypes
 Upper Class- This class is considered as an elite group, and the
smallest and most rare in regards to size. This group is regarded
as extremely wealthy, often possessing vast amounts of land or
inheritance. They are often portrayed as proud of their social
position and sometimes slightly snobbish or superior to the
classes beneath them. They are often regarded as people with a
high social influence, highly extravagant and possess an
important role within society (perhaps possessing a title of some
kind, such as Duke or Duchess). They are often regarded as
highly educated, articulate and possessing flawless manners and
etiquette, as well as possessing wealth that impresses and
clearly communicates their vast wealth.

8. Example- Working Class
 Within the TV drama, ‘Downton Abbey’ the
character of Daisy Mason’s role connotes
her role within the working class.
 Her simplistic costumes of an apron and
rolled up sleeves, connotes a sense of
practicality connotative of her role within
the kitchen of the Crawley estate.
 Her role of servitude towards the wealthy,
upper class, Crawly family, emphasises a
sense of inferiority when compared to the
excessive wealth within the estate. This
conforms to Strauss’ idea of Binary
Opposites as Daisy’s simplistic costume
and humble appearance (as connoted
through her lack of make-up or any
additional luxuries such as jewellery)
juxtaposes the wealth of the family that
she serves, thus solidly re-enforcing her
low standing upon the social scale.

9. Overall…
 By emphasising this comparison of the largely wealthy
upper class and the far less glamorous and decadent
working class, a sense of negativity is formed in
regards to being placed within a lower class. This links
to Hall’s theory of Dominant Ideology, this being the
idea that being within higher a higher social group is
more desirable than that of a lower grouping,
something that is suggested through this character as
her facial expression and workload suggests that those
within the working class are rather burdened by work
and also suffer financially, as connoted through her lack
of additional accessories such as makeup or jewellery.

10. Example-Middle Class
 Within the TV drama, ‘House’ the character of
Doctor House is portrayed as stereotypical of the
Middle Class. His confident and articulate
demeanour in regards to his profession connotes
his high education, which is confirmed and
assumed by the audience as a result of his
profession within medicine (which is a professional
requiring specific qualifications).
 Also, the uniforms worn by his colleagues,
connote both their medical role, as can be seen
from the pockets containing the convectional tools
used within surgery, and also connotes their
considerable wealth. This can be seen through the
formal attire of the female doctors in particularly,
who can be seen wearing high quality clothing, as
well as additional aesthetics such as make up and
high heels. Thus conforming to the stereotype that
those within the middle class earn a high income
that allows for additional luxuries to be purchased.

11. Overall…
 Within this example the well paid and formal stereotype of the middle
class is evident within this example, also the success in the high paying
employment that this group possesses links to Hall’s Dominant Ideology
Theory, this being the idea that the higher the social class the more
desirable being within this grouping is, creating a sense of dominance the
higher one is within the ranking, as emphasised through the clear
disposable income of the characters as well as the pride they hold in their
career (as connoted through the characters happy and confident facial
expressions), Which also suggests that those within lower classes, such
as the working class, live within a weaker ranking that possesses a less
honourable and desirable lifestyle, and also suggests that being within a
lower grouping is something that people should be ashamed of. Thus
forming a negative stereotype for those within this group.

12. Example- Upper Class
 Within the TV drama, ‘Downton Abbey’ the upper
class characters of the Crawley family are
conveyed coherently throughout the piece. The
extravagant, intricate costumes of the female
character connote the characters vast wealth as
well as decadent and indulgent lifestyle, as their
clothes emphasise a great sense of pride and
luxury, lacking a sense of practicality which
conforms to the idea that the upper class are
apart of the elite, who gain their wealth from
inheritance and bloodline rather than through
employment.
 Also, by surrounding themselves by servants the
wealth of the characters is emphasised, as this
further divides the working class and the upper,
as the servants are presented as within
supporting roles, respectful and quiet in the face
of their employers, thus forming a sense of
superiority in regards to the upper class, which is
connoted through their proud expressions and
emphasised by their ability to possess the wealth
needed in order to hire a vast array of well
mannered servants within their household.

13. Who has the power?
 I believe that after analysing each of the different stereotypes and
positions of social class, that those within the upper middle and upper
classes possess the most power and influence over the rest of society.
This is in linking with Gramsci’s Theory of Hegemony, this being the idea
that the media serves as a medium for greater powers (the elites) enforce
their own influence and ideas upon the public in order to benefit their own
motives and desires. This idea can be seen to fit, in particularly towards
the higher classes, as those of high paying places of employment, such
as within politics or perhaps media coverage, for example owners of a
News broadcasting company can manipulate their content in order to
reflect a set of ideas that they wish for the public to internalise and
consider. This is also possible due to the increased wealth of those within
these groups, who have the ability to invest their wealth within influential
firms, unlike that of the lower classes who lack a significant disposable
income in order to emit the same level of influence and ideas.