Class: Position in Society Flashcards
Pride and Prejudice
What does Austen depict about Class?
Austen depicts the attitudes of separating the upper and lower classes from each other and criticises the importance of the class divide in the Regency era.
Pride and Prejudice
What is a “novel of manners”?
P&P is a “novel of manners”, depicting the polite and courteous behaviour expected from those during the Regency era.
Pride and Prejudice
What did aristocratic people believe about themselves regarding social class?
Aristocratic people thought themselves to be superior through manners and stigmatised those lower than them in the social hierarchy.
Finish the quote then explain the technique used:
“The Netherfield ladies … “
“The Netherfield ladies would have had difficulty in believing that a man who lived by trade…could have been so well bred and agreeable.”
Authorial Intrusion and Satire: these techniques are sustained throughout the novel as Austen suggests that class is not the only way to be highly regarded in society.
Finish the quote then explain the technique used:
“her inferiority - …”
“her inferiority - of its being a degradation”
Punctuation: emphasises the value social hierarchy had on Regent society.
Finish the quote then explain the technique used:
“I really should have thought…And there is something…”
“I really should have thought that he could have behaved in so cruel a way by anybody, … And there is something of dignity in his countenance,”
Juxtaposition: the contrast further values manner as a depiction of good character, rather than social status.
Crazy Rich Asians
How does Chu reimagine Austen’s distinction of class in his film appropriation?
Chu reimagines Austen’s distinction of class to comment on the ethnocultural divide in Post-Modern society.
Crazy Rich Asians
What Post-Modernist concept does Chu’s distinction of class reference?
References the cultural shift in power from America to Asia, acknowledging the cultural power divide still prevalent in society.
Crazy Rich Asians
How is Rachel marginalised due to cultural class?
Rachel is marginalised due to her association with cultural class:
* American-Chinese
* Immigrant mother
* Poor (middle-class)
What scene does this film technique come from? Explain technique.
Low-angle shot of Eleanor; Rachel’s perspective
Rachel and Eleanor’s discussion on the staircase in Ah Ma’s house:
Directly establishes the Post-Modern shift in power and the ethnocentric difference between Eleanor and Rachel.
What scene does this film technique come from? Explain technique.
Eleanor’s outfit matches dark green room; Rachel stands out in her white dress.
Rachel and Eleanor’s discussion on the staircase in Ah Ma’s house:
Exclusion of the lower class is apparent in purposeful with intentional costuming/mise-en-scene; Mise-en-scene is set up to imply that Rachel (lower class) does not fit in the family
What scene does this film technique come from? Explain technique.
Rachel vs Eleanor; earring sizes
Majong Scene:
Rachel and Eleanor reference their associated ethnocultural class, depicting the direct division between ethnic groups. Earrings sizes emphasise the Post-Modern shift in power.
