Class And The ‘establishment’ Flashcards
What was the establishment
-people in uniform e.g. private schools like Harrow, Eaton + Cambridge
-wealth — privileged, influential, but less important than background + connections
-it connected the social + political elites
-include aristocracy, politicians, civil servants, judges, bishops, diplomats + officers in armed forces
-was a network of men with most influence through their background + connections
-had lots influence over media e.g. director of BBC + newspaper writers
-often called ‘old boys network’ as most of men went to same schools + knew each other
What was 1951 society like
-conformist + deferential with ingrained respect for authority
-class loyalties strong when general elections e.g. 1951 election 65% working class voted lab + 80% middle class voted cons
What was the shift in attitudes in late 1950s
-shifts hinting at gradual breakdown of old social restrictions - press coverage Profumo affair highlighted deference decline
-suez crisis 1956 exposed blatant lying by govt
-rise of CND 1958 (campaign nuclear disarmament) encouraged challenge authority
-Br becoming individualist + less willing follow lead of establishment
What was the ‘satire boom’ of the 1960s
-satirical stage show ‘beyond the fringe’ by Cook, Moore + Miller big impact
-1961 magazine ‘private eye’ rapidly established loyal following for witty disrespect for great + famous
-1962 to show ‘that was the week that was” debut BBC satirising + lampooning public figures
What did the critics say about the establishment and society
-critics said Br held back by establishment + they blocked talent + tried to hide own mistakes
-cons govt 1951-64 dominated by establishment e.g. Mac govt had 3 earls + duke
-Br had entrenched attitudes + lacked social mobility + it needed leaders who earned positions
Who were the angry young men
-group writers who rebelled against traditional theatre
-produced plays + books they felt reflected contemporary society
-their writing was sarcastic, bitter + often bleak
-John Osborne’s play ‘don’t look back in anger’ 1956 + David Storey’s ‘this sporting life’ 1960
