Tuesday 13 March 2012

How do the 2 extracts construct representations of social class?

Characters and Performance;
The characters in the Eastenders extract all speak with a strong cockney accent, this suggests that they are working class because stereo-typically the working class speak in slang and use short, simple sentences. Whereas in Outnumbered the accent is less 'common', indicating that they are from a working class home.
The way the characters are dressed are also indicators of representation of social class, with those in Eastenders wearing clothes that are in style or belonging to some sub-cultures, even the adults are dressed stereo-typically according to the social class they are representing, which would be the working class. There is a young girl with her hair scraped back into a "Croydon Facelift", a hairstyle assimilated with working class girls. There is also a large number of young characters in this scene, none of which are seen in some type of school uniform, this contrasts to the young boy in Outnumbered. The young girl is also seen doing her homework and appears to be very bright and insightful despite her young age.

Mise-en-Scene
The location of each extract is a key factor determining the representations of social class in both t.v dramas. In eastenders the setting changes several times, from some sort of garage, to a house, to outside, to a launderette, finally ending at a cafe. This can portray the lifestyle which these characters lead. Their lives are not family centered as the action does not revolve around a home or house. A strong sense of community is build as they find support between friends and others who live nearby. This is considered to represent a working class culture, as there is a lack of a private sphere in which there is a comforting, united and supportive family. Conversely the 'typical' middle class family are shown in the small vicinity of a family home, where all member of the family are interacting with each other.

The setting in Eastenders doesnt look like there is a lot of money had by the characters, it looks very standard, in stark contrast to the lavish furnishings and tasteful art displayed in the Outnumbered home. The family also had a popular games console associated with the middle class that is the wii. The house in which they live is fairly large for terraced housing, notably with a light and airy atmosphere, with an extended kitchen which helps to convey the family as not extremely rich, but wealthy enough to live comfortably and have a life that is financially stress free.

Editing
The editing in Outnumbered is quite fast and unique, it is something identifiable with more modern programs suggesting that this family is modern and trendy with the parents taking a less strictly authoritative nature and being able to humor their children. It also shows how they are quite a close knit family as the editing shows them altogether in several frames.




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