“Discuss the ways in which the extracts from Cranford construct a representation of class and status”

“Discuss the ways in which the extracts from Cranford construct a representation of class and status”

The class and status of the extract is shown from the beginning of the extract to the end with the mise-en-scene as it shows old fashioned clothing (Victorian) which is brown, the colour brown indicated low status and class which tell us that the family in this scene is poor, the boy at the beginning of the extract is carrying a blanket with food inside, this also indicates a low class and status as a bag would of been used. The family are obviously illiterate and see being able to read is tabooed as the boy recognises a word the father yells at him and tells him that reading is not necessary, this shows their class and status as being low because they obviously had lack of education as it would needed to be paid for and they have no money. The lack of colour in the camera work is a good technique to use as it really brings out the Victorian era as a poor and unwelcoming era of history. They also use low lighting to make the clip seem more gloomy and depressing.

The camera work uses Close ups on the family to show their facial expressions and feelings at a certain time, the camera work also uses lots of reaction shot for example the family’s reaction to the boy being told off by the father atmosphere at that time shows anxiousness and disappointment as the shot shows this and the viewer to acknowledge the facial expressions for example the mother looks scared as the father is yelling this also shows that the father is the dominant one in the family. The camera work also uses establishing shots for example the camera focuses on the sack/blanket to show the viewer what is inside the bag.

The music at the beginning is quite sad when the camera is fixed on the boy running through the woods, to make the viewer tense and wanting to know what the boy is up to and where is going however when the boy reaches home (shed) the music instantly stops to focus on the characters dialog. Until the boy is told off by the father and leaves the house (shed) the atmosphere is tense then the music is played again to make the scene more emotional.

The characters emotions of the extract is varied and changes, as in the beginning of the extract when the boy is running through the woods the emotion given is that of the boy feeling distressed, somewhere to be and not happy however when the boy reaches the home the mood changes as the whole family (including the boy) is joyful as he opens his present. However the mood turns to anger, disappointment and worry as the father argues with the boy and leaves.

In conclusion the extract shows lots of indications of a low class and status as from the use of the colour brown, the blanket, the clothing, the house, the lack of education shows the viewer that the family shown are poor and rely on their children to bring money and food back home. The characters show a typical Victorian family as the father being the dominant one and the wife being timid and not talking when the father is, the boy obviously does not go to school but has to do work to help support the family. The family are defiantly proud of their lives including what they can and can’t do as when the boy is yelled at for understanding a word the father lashes out because the family are illiterate and still live a decent life without reading.