49 UP
English 1
Final Paper
Driscoll
6-13-11
“completely different”: Class and Identity in Michael Apted’s 49 Up I would like to argue that in 49 Up, Michael Apted is suggesting that identity is formed through class. I believe the film unmasks the characters of society to show the role class plays in the formation of identity. Firstly, I would suggest that the film is arguing that class is predetermined by family history. I feel that the film reveals that social standing is based on parental wealth and ranking and birthright. Secondly, I would argue that Apted is suggesting that the social structure of the film remains consistent throughout childhood to adulthood. I think that the film argues that class impacts the lives of the characters’ as adults. Thirdly, it is obvious that the film illustrates the everyday life and obstacles of the characters, but I believe the film argues that those details form identity. I feel that Apted shows that experiences correspond with identity. I would suggest that Apted’s 49 Up, argues that identity is created through social standing because class determines all aspects of life. I would argue Apted suggests that the characters’ are placed into a certain class at birth. I think that the film shows that the social ranking of the characters’ parents are reflected on to them. In the film, the opinions of classes by the characters are based on their own standing. Michael Apted asked the characters, at age seven, their beliefs about the rich and poor, and the responses of the children reflect the classes, which they belong to. When John, who was born into a upper class family, was asked about his opinion of the poor he answered, “I don’t think much of their accents”, which I feel shows that he does not have much interaction with the poor. I believe that John’s stereotypical and generalized response is a result of his lack of communication with poor people, which is a result of his selective social class. Similarly, when Tony was
Final Paper
Driscoll
6-13-11
“completely different”: Class and Identity in Michael Apted’s 49 Up I would like to argue that in 49 Up, Michael Apted is suggesting that identity is formed through class. I believe the film unmasks the characters of society to show the role class plays in the formation of identity. Firstly, I would suggest that the film is arguing that class is predetermined by family history. I feel that the film reveals that social standing is based on parental wealth and ranking and birthright. Secondly, I would argue that Apted is suggesting that the social structure of the film remains consistent throughout childhood to adulthood. I think that the film argues that class impacts the lives of the characters’ as adults. Thirdly, it is obvious that the film illustrates the everyday life and obstacles of the characters, but I believe the film argues that those details form identity. I feel that Apted shows that experiences correspond with identity. I would suggest that Apted’s 49 Up, argues that identity is created through social standing because class determines all aspects of life. I would argue Apted suggests that the characters’ are placed into a certain class at birth. I think that the film shows that the social ranking of the characters’ parents are reflected on to them. In the film, the opinions of classes by the characters are based on their own standing. Michael Apted asked the characters, at age seven, their beliefs about the rich and poor, and the responses of the children reflect the classes, which they belong to. When John, who was born into a upper class family, was asked about his opinion of the poor he answered, “I don’t think much of their accents”, which I feel shows that he does not have much interaction with the poor. I believe that John’s stereotypical and generalized response is a result of his lack of communication with poor people, which is a result of his selective social class. Similarly, when Tony was
Cited: “49 Up.” Dir. Michael Apted. Perf. Bruce Balden, Neil Hughes, Suzanne Dewey. Granada Television, 2005. DVD. Confino, Alon. "Film Reviews." American Historical Review 105.3 (2000): 1064. MasterFILE Premier. EBSCO. Web. 6 June 2011. Confino, Alon. "Film Reviews." American Historical Review 99.4 (October 1994): 1240. The University of Chicago Press. Web. 6 June 2011. Freedland, Jonathan. "A Poignant, Human Drama in the Era of Celebrity Shark Bait: 49 Up Is a Revealing Social History, but Its Power Comes from the Universal Humanity of the Stories It Reveals." Guardian.co.uk. Guardian News and Media, 14 Sept. 2005. Web. 13 June 2011. Hulbert, Ann. "Growing Up Observed: The Irresistible Appeal and Pathos of Michael Apted 's Up Series. - By Ann Hulbert." Slate Magazine. The Slate Group, 10 Oct. 2007. Web. 13 June 2011.