Social classWhat is social class?

Social class can be defined as: the position in which someone in society

upholds.There are 4 types of social class:

Upper classMiddle class

Working classLower class

Mise en sceneIn the episode viewed of ‘the street’ we are able to see

the father of the family wearing a vest. This is very stereotypical of working class families as they don’t

earn very much money and therefore cannot afford to wear more expensive items. The white vest additionally

connotes ‘wife beater’ which could imply that the marriage they’re in is unhappy.

In the extract we are also able to see where the father of the family works. He works on a building site which suggests that he does not mind physical labour and is prepared to work hard for someone more superior to

earn inferior pay. This proves that he is working/lower class as he doesn’t appear to be standing up against

exploitation.

Within the family home the décor is dated. This represents working class people as having little pride.

The home clearly hasn’t been redecorated recently. This may either be down to laziness or lack of sufficient

finance for the task.

CameraworkA close up shot is used here to show the tool in the father’s hand. The involvement of this tool allows the audience to see what he does to earn money. As the father is angry during this clip this could connote to the audience that he could be dangerous which could represent working class people to be violent and criminal.

Secondly the use of the young girl being hit by the car portrays working class children to be uncared for and unvalued in society. This additionally suggests that working class parents don’t care for their children properly. The high angle looking down on her makes her look weak and vulnerable.

Lastly, camerawork is used in this extract to show how angry the father becomes. The use of a close up in the instance is very effective as it allows the audience to see that he is furious. The audience are able to see every reaction to his wife’s comments and as he does not try to calm down his anger portrays the working class as being violence and aggressive.

Sound In this extract sound is used to an effective extent. For example we are able to hear dialogue such as swearing. This allows the audience to see they are a working class family as many working class families do not hesitate to swear in front of their children.

Additionally the sound of TV on in the background is stereotypical of working class life as the television is a main focus in the spare time of all family members. There are frequently arguments about the television. In both households featured the children were both sat in front of the television.

Lastly, the use of non-diegetic sound is featured. For example we hear the sound effect of the young girl being run over. This would be a more commonly recognised sound amongst the working and lower classes as more children are encouraged to be independent and to play in the streets whereas upper class parents would not allow this and additionally may live in my rural areas where there are less cars and more safe open spaces.

Editing