Third International Conference on Communication & Media Studies

Abstract

In current times, there has been a surge of English series that are classified as period/historical dramas. Set in a particular time-frame, they showcase the mannerisms and cultural practices of the time that they portray. One such media offering to capture the imagination of the English-speaking/consuming audiences is Downton Abbey. Set in the early 20th Century, primed at the time of the fall of old aristocratic lifestyles and values, this series follows the family of the Earl of Downton to demonstrate the changes in aristocracy. Replete with scandals and glamour, it stands out with its remarkable portrayal of strong-willed female characters that, more often than not, save the day and are the guiding force of the narrative. From the Dowager Countess to the youngest entrant on the scene, Rose, they are all women who challenge the rules of the game that they are set to play, at least on the face of it. This paper argues, however, that this defiance is only perfunctory and that the narrative, in the end, promotes docility, honesty, patience, and steadfastness – demonstrated by the illustrious prize of finding a desired husband from the Peerage as the series finale. It argues that through its many ups and downs, in which the women of Downton Abbey defy the established tenets of society, the series creates a lasting image of rewarding feminine values propagating the construction of the ideal woman in its myriad audience, while paying lip service to the suffragette movement, the game-changer of the time.