Diegetic sound is used purposefully in the
clip to hint to the audience of character’s social class. The audience is
introduced to the home of Harry’s family and when the door is opened it makes a
distinct squeaking sound indicating that the home is run down, of poor quality
and that the family are unable to afford to fix it. This highlights to the
audience the low class and lack of wealth of the family living in the house.
The social class of the family inside the
run down cottage is also shown through sound when the father of the family says
“appy birthday arry”. This is non-reserved pronunciation and shows the audience
that the father isn’t educated and has a low social class. This also leads the
audience to believe that the rest of the family are not educated and
subsequently have a low social class.
When the audience is shown the run down
cottage, no music is played. This indicates that the atmosphere dull and
depressing as they are leading depressing lives being of low social class and
having to work hard for their living. In comparison to this, when Harry is in
the greenhouse of the wealthier household, high pitched and up beat music is
played showing how unusual the surroundings are for Harry and indicating the
high class of the owners of the greenhouse.
The non-diegetic music when Harry starts to
feel “giddy” is heavy and depressing influencing the audiences feelings towards
the scene by making them feel sympathy for the boy, as he does not get enough
nutrition. This lack of food and water connotes Harry’s low social class, as he
can’t afford even the necessities such as food and water.
Editing is also used in the clip to show
the audience the social classes of different characters within the clip. Throughout
the whole clip, the majority of the editing is continuity editing which
connotes a sense of realism and that in reality there is people suffering, such
as Harry and his family, whilst other people have immense luxuries, such as the
higher class wealthy women.
An eye line match is used when Harry is
looking at the grapes and the shot of the grapes is held for a considerable
amount of time. This shows how much Harry would like to be able to eat the
grapes but refrains himself from doing so indicating not only his low class as
he is hungry as his family can not afford to feed him sufficiently but also how
he has come to terms with disappointment at an early age which emphasises his
low social class further.
The conversation held between Harry and his
father concerning Harry knowing words from a newspaper is carried out using
reverse shots. This shows the fathers harsh reaction to Harry wanting to learn
to read and emphasises the family’s low social class and the father is
determined for the family not to be educated. This could be, as he never had
the chance he doesn’t want Harry to be more intelligent than him so doesn’t let
him have a chance either showing the low social class.
The mise en scene of the clip also hints to
the reader about classes of different characters. The low-key lighting used in
the run down cottage connotes their low social class, as the mood inside the
cottage is dreary and depressing. It could also indicate that the family can’t
afford the light the cottage showing their lack of wealth and low social class.
Mr. Carter is shown to be of high class
when a wide-angle shot is used to show his office, which contains looks of
books showing he is educated, leather chair showing his wealth and food and
drink to show his well being is better than Harry’s. This all indicates to the
audience of Mr. Carter’s high social class.
The mise en scene is this clip reveals
through clothing the different classes between characters. Low class characters
are shown wearing scruffy, dirty and dull coloured clothing whilst the high
class characters are shown in clean, white and often extravagant clothing. The
best example of this would be the Lady of the Manor shown in a white
extravagant dress.
The camera angle is purposely low to show
Mr. Carter’s boots when he is walking before he discovers Harry. It is this
shot that allows the audience to see the clear divide between classes simply
through the footwear people own. Harry’s boots, although new to him, are second
hand and worn. In comparison to Mr. Carter’s boots, which are immaculate, shiny
and look brand new, Harry’s boots look old and messy. This shows the classes of
the two characters and shoes the divide between people in the clip.
Throughout the whole clip Harry is looking up
to other characters through low angled camera shots. This shows Harry as the
lowest status as even amongst people of simple class to him he is still looked
down on by his father, as he believes he is better than Harry and has authority
over him. Mr. Carter also looks down on Harry as he is of a higher class.
