Responses to 'Upstairs, Downstairs

1. I believe the representation of the chauffeur is portrayed as biased. This is because of him being a Black shirt. As the film is British the majority of British people are going to frown on this belief. As well as this, we know what damage they caused as the film was made in the modern day and as a result of this, people are going to be skeptical as they don't trust the Black shirts due to what they did.

2. There is more likely to be more unity throughout the country due to the inevitable second World War. Due to this, people in the country pull together and help each other out as they are fighting as a country. This causes the divide in class to be scrapped as they need each other to help one and other, despite their social class. This is shown in the scene between the maid and the new house owner.They are talking about how to act and what to plan for the day and the house owner is taking advice off the maid.

3. This is because she looks up to the chauffeur as an idol and therefore wants to follow his beliefs and what he does. As well as this, they are having an affair and this means she clearly has feelings for him and therefore she wants to have the same opinions and beliefs. This is backed up in the scene where she goes with him to the march through the streets.

4. One similarity between Lady Persephone and Jenny is that they both date older men. This is evident from Jenny going out with a bloke almost twice her age and also Lady Persephone dating the chauffeur who is also somewhat older. They also show a poor attitude towards elders at times. This happens when Jenny is sarcastic to her Dad on numerous occasions and when Lady Persephone is sulking about having to go the ball.

5. I believe the strongest collective identity is the downstairs staff. This is because they are used to not having the luxuries and therefore helping each other and looking out for one and other is the norm. For example, when the new woman is feeling ill they give her some food and put her to bed. This shows collective unity within the group and shows how strong the care is between them. This is probably because they are the most used to having to do everything themselves and having no one to help them out and therefore, they have to unite to get things done as they are all in the same position.


Exam Question Plan:

Reference to Inbetweeners, Fish Tank, An Education, Kidulthood, Corrie, AYBS, Uppy Downy
Inbetweeners shows Britishness in a poor way as it shows the humour has to be on a plate.
AYBS shows that we hadn't accepted homosexuality as a nation 100% at that time. This is due to the innuendos
Kildulthood shows Bristish teens to be thugs and has a negative effect.

Kidulthood- the mise en scene shows them wearing gangsta clothing and this reflects youths in the country on a whole to people from other countries watching it.