Question: Is Lady Bracknell a "class snob?"

Homework - 27th Aug 2013

Quote 1: “To be born, or at any rate bred in a handbag, whether it have handles or not, seems to me to display a contempt for the ordinary decencies of family life which reminds one of the worst excesses of the French revolution, and I presume you know what that unfortunate movement led to?”

Quote 2: “The whole theory of modern education is radically unsound. Fortunately in England, at any rate, education produces no effect whatsoever. If it did it would prove a serious threat to the upper classes, and probably lead to acts of violence in Grosvenor Square.”

Answer:

Yes and no. Yes, because I think Lady Bracknell is a class snob, as illustrated from this source. She thinks that the lower class people are very unfortunate and ill-fated and contrasts it with the French Revolution. It could mean that the people might behead the child in the handbag, as it was similar to what happened in the French Revolution. (Where the king was executed) She also talks about family decencies and its outcome/result (if they didn't care about the handbag!), as referring to the first quote.

No, because she thinks it’s the upper class’s fault that the child was left in the handbag. She had planned to take a serious action over it. So that means that she is not totally biased towards upper class people. She also thinks that education was still available for the baby in the handbag, as referred to the second quote.

Day 4

                                                English Literature - Day 4

We are learning how the Victorian class system is represented in the text.

Today, we looked at a “Frost report” which shows about the three class systems which are: Upper, middle and lower class. And also how they looked at each other in terms of behaviour  They also had massive differences in height. Like the Upper class were taller than the Middle-class, and the Middle-class were taller than the Lower class.

 This was illustrated in the triangle form.We also saw sources that showed us a lot of differences in the class system. Which are:

Lower-class system: The picture illustrates that they look like people from lower class, as the room in the background looks quite dark and they don't even have space to hang their clothes to dry. The house doesn't look like a big bungalow, instead it looks like a small 1-floored house. And the woman in the picture also shows that she is working, not sitting and feeling relaxed. Additionally, the little girl in the right side of the picture looks like as if she is not educated. Instead, she works in her house and helps her mom. They have got all their needs, but not their wants.

Middle-class system: The picture demonstrates that they come from Middle-class families, as they have bows and ribbons on their heads. They also carry parasols (as an alternative of umbrella), which usually were carried by ladies. They are also wearing dresses which are full-sleeved, as they don't really need to work. There are beautiful buildings in the background, which they could afford. They have got all their needs, and a few wants, as well.

Upper-class system: This picture shows that they are very wealthy, as they have got great sense of dressing and look extremely glamorous and elegant. The background of a scenery is a very innovative idea, which is still modern. The woman and the man have 4 children, which shows couples during that time planned for more children as they could afford one. They have got all their need and wants (how lucky were they!).


Video to the "Frost Report"

Day 3

  English Literature - Day 3

       We are learning to place a text in historical context

We saw many evidences of the Victorian society which were:

 Fashion – Usually, the upper class men wore 3 layers of clothing, like: a shirt, tie, another shirt and a coat on top of it. It is mainly because they wanted to give the impression of being very formal. Or it could also be because of weather in England. Ladies, who were rich, usually wore massively heavy ornaments and nets around their faces, which look ridiculous (in my opinion!).  The middle class women wore a dull and unexciting dress, which looked quite tight.

The class system – There was a massive difference between upper, middle and lower classes. The servants thought it wasn't polite to hear their master play music or talk. The natures of higher class were usually very cheerful and energetic, while the lower class sad or depressed (not always).

Technology –Train was the latest transportation during the Victorian Era. The chandelier was also available in casinos. There were no pens at that time; they used to write with feathers. There were also no inventions of engine in boats; instead they used to row the boat. (which was indeed a lot of hard work!) As an alternative of car, there were only bullock carts. Instruments like cello and piano were also a way in which people would love to listen to music.

Others – The thing that disappoints me (a little) during the Victorian Era is that they didn't really think that men were equivalent to women. It was illustrated when Cecily thought German was boring. The thing that was in mind was "Why they haven't showed men learning German?" 

There were many queries in mind which were there while watching the play, but slowly I have started understanding it. 

Video about the Victorian fashion

Day 2

   English Literature - Day 2 

       We are learning to place a text in historical context

Today, we looked at how men and women dressed during the Victorian era. And what I noticed was that not all men and women dressed in the same way. It usually depends on their economic strata (how wealthy they were).

Men's fashion 

Upper-class men (As shown on the picture on the right-hand side) would have a tall hat on his head, which would symbolise about his wealth. He is also looking formal, as he is wearing a dark brown coat. The thing that I noticed about the picture was that he is standing which indicates how strong men were during that time. This picture also illustrates that they also had moustache to show that they were more like a man.

Middle-class men would be a lot less formal than the upper-class ones. I think this is because they don't really have to worry about anything (except money!).They would feel very secure in the Victorian era.

Lower-class men would have a cap. It usually to make them look like labourers. They even wore a belt, as they had to do a lot of physical activities like: making buildings, and sweeping the chimney. They would feel contented to be in the part of the Victorian Empire.

Women's fashion

Upper-class women wore a long dress, as they don't walk around. So they are not afraid of tripping on their dresses. They even wore huge dresses which made their hips look larger.

Middle-class women (As shown in the picture on the left hand side) wore comfortable dress that were similar to tunics. And they even had a very beautifully decorated hat, which shows that they wanted to look the best during those times.

Lower-class women were dressed in ways where their waist looked slim. And they also had hats to make them look like a chef. They also wore long dresses, because at that time there was no trend of wearing short dresses.

Overall, this tells me that Victorian Fashion was more about looking beautiful, then feeling comfortable.

Day 1

English Literature - Lesson 1 Day 1

                        We are learning to place a text in historical context

This term, we are looking at a play written by Oscar Wilde during the Victorian era, which is called "The Importance of Being Earnest". And today, we had a first look at that time period.

Our first look of the Victorian Era:

• Queen Victoria has got a stern look on her face that tells us that she was very strict when it comes to work. She also has a very high standard of discipline.
• She is also looking below, that tells me she assumes herself to be higher than the others. (Especially when it comes to wealth)
• She dresses very formally.
• She was rich and wealthy, as shown in the picture. She is wearing quite heavy jewellery and a glamorous dress.

The feeling as a British citizen living in London at the Victorian Era:

• Controlled     Progessive
• Depressed     Unique

The feeling of an ordinary citizen about the changes in technology:

• They would feel excited, as they are developing the uses of transport.
• Might also feel proud that their country has achieved in making transport.
• Some of them would feel disappointed, as these items are quite noisy and cause pollution.

A video on the Victorian culture