Descriptive words for Social Classes

Middle class – average, normal, educated, happy

Working class - lazy, undereducated, dumb, loveable

Upper class  - rich, well educated, powerful, posh

Underclass – careless, uncontrollable, uneducated, violent

Class Stereotype Mock - By Grace Cuthbertson

After watching the Merlin clip, I identified Merlin as an underclass stereotype. The mis-en-scene makes this most obvious to the audience. His clothing are neutral colours, showing a clear class. The camera pans across and follows him in the first shot; this shows the importance of him in the clip. The pan is smooth and relaxed showing he isn’t out of control; this is against the typical stereotype as the underclass are seen to cause trouble. The stereotype is then made clearer when he enters the room. The sound is quite empty and airy, this could be a sign of the characters personality and the fact that he is going to be up to no good. The next character to be shown is the women, she is wearing a elegant purple dress – this colour symbolises royalty, mystery and magic. The fact that she speaks first shows her importance too. The contrast between two characters makes it clear she is upper class. She almost looks down on him. A shot reverse shot is used to show their conversation. Low angles are used on her to show her power and dominance whilst high angles show Merlin as a weaker character because of his class. Merlin has more prominence, this tells the audience his character is important and the narrative is told from his point of view. As the female enters the room, the non-digetic sound gets more intense and the piano used builds up tension, this also shows that he might fear her.

When he leaves and enters the town centre, church bells are ringing, this could show Merlin is from a religious environment. The other boy verbally attacks him. This is a typical stereotype for upper class, he is shown as quite full of himself and in control. The armour he wears could resemble the fact that he is unbeatable and untouchable because of his class. The fact that he is accompanied with two other people could also show that he is incapable of individuality or independence where he has been given everything needed since birth. The weapons he is holding can be seen as a falic object. Compared to Merlin who isn’t carrying anything, Arthur is seen as the stronger masculine stereotype. This shows that money can be a huge impact on masculinity along with class. Another shot reverse shot is used to show conversation between two characters. The proximity between them allows the audience to see their hatred for each other. When they begin to fight, the music is quite adventurous and heroic, it builds up tension and excitement. The use of high and low angles changes when Merlin uses magic to gain power. Close ups are used to show emotion on the characters faces. It also uses on to show that Merlin is using magic. At this point another character is introduced, Merlin fears him as he looks disappointed in him for using his magic. The camera is hand held for the fight, showing it as uncontrollable and quick cuts are used to make it more dramatic. When he falls over, a high angles is used to show his as being looked down upon by upper class. Foley sounds are used during the fights, like the use of the rope pinging and the whip sounds. After the fight, the camera goes back to being on a tripod showing a more relaxed situation.

The last stereotypes visible were working class. This is all the other characters in the clip, who watch them fight. Their costumes are also mutual colors and are very poor and old. It shows working class as a group, this could convey the stereotype without individuality and instead as all the same. The sound of them talking about work shows them as very unhappy with their lifestyles.

I think overall, the upper class stereotype is shows as most dominant and powerful, whereas underclass is shown as the weaker class, who are looked down on. I think the stereotype of upper class is reinforces because they are seen as quite full of them self and important as well as powerful. I thing the stereotype of underclass is challenged to the extent that Merlin doesn’t fear King Arthur and is quite confident towards him. It is also reinforces the extent that he wears old clothes and is seen as a weaker character.