Since Matthew’s investment into Downton, he is trying his
best to become acquainted with how things are run, but also seeks to make them
better. During the process, he
butts heads with Mary, who seems to genuinely want Matthew to be involved with
Downton but still defers to her father, and with Lord Grantham who is used to
running Downton his way. I would
argue that Matthew looks at Downton and sees potential. This is expressed as he walks about an
abandoned farm with Mary and discusses how the land should be used again to
make money. Lord Grantham,
however, is mired in the tradition of Downton and isn’t as forward looking.
The upper and middle classes also clash when Sybil is going
through her delivery. Sir Philip
Tapsel is brought in to help Sybil deliver because he has aided in the births
of many lords, ladies, and royals.
He is meant to be a doctor of a different class and because of his
higher status he is given more credit and accountability than Dr. Clarkson. It is left up in the air whether or not
Sybil might have survived childbirth had the family (mostly Lord Grantham) not
been too proud to trust and listen to Dr. Clarkson.
I have to wonder how class is going to continue to factor
into upcoming episodes of Downton Abbey, especially with Matthew and Mary since Matthew continues to distinguish himself as middle class.
So many times throughout this series I have felt that there would be considerably fewer problems if only Lord Grantham were able to set aside his obsession with class.
ReplyDeleteAs for Matthew, I hope he will manage his affairs better and be more willing to be progressive.
Very intriguing! Along these same lanes, I wonder, too, about the tense negotiations between Lady Cora and Lord Grantham about the role of the two doctors in Sybil's childbirth (with their different status claims): class tensions become marital tensions...
ReplyDeleteI also found the tension between upper and middle class to be intriguing during this episode. Although the issue is brought to light from several interactions, I found it particularly evident in the birth of Sybil and Tom’s child. In this episode we were shown the dire consequences of Lord Grantham’s actions when he refused to listen to Dr. Clarkson, and insisted on taking the advice of the higher status Dr. Phillip. Perhaps Sybil’s death can be viewed as foreshadowing what will happen to Downton if Lord Grantham continues to resist the coming changes in social order.
ReplyDelete