Downton
Abbey is
a television series set between 1912 and 1925 that follows the family,
residents and servants of the estate Downton Abbey. Historical, social and
cultural developments that occurred during this time period are evident within
the series, affecting the characters and their actions. Season one, episode one
of Downton Abbey features a character
(Mr. Bates) who reflects aspects of the era in which this series is set and
highlights certain characters’ personalities and prejudices. Mr. Bates uses a
cane due to a physical impairment in his leg that he obtained from the war. In
this episode, Mr. Bates arrives at the estate in order to work. Before he has
even started working, the other servants say that he won’t be able to do the
work. Although they do not explicitly state that he won’t be able to work due
to his disability, it is implied by their tone and the way in which they divert
their eyes to his injured leg or cane. This reflects attitudes that existed
towards people with a disability during the time period in which Downton Abbey is set. As the episode
progresses, Mr. Bates is the topic of conversation among each of the characters
at some stage. There are various reactions to Mr. Bates and his disability, the
majority of which are negative and highlight certain characters’ traits.
The way in which Anna (a fellow servant) and Robert
(the Earl of the estate) discuss and interact with Mr. Bates indicates that
they represent the positive side of humanity. They may also be viewed as
figures of modernity in that views of people with a disability have changed
since the setting of Downton Abbey. When
Mr. Bates first arrives, he is greeted by Anna and some other servants. The
other servants look somewhat shocked that a person with a disability has
entered the house. This is evident in their facial expressions and body
language as they turn away from him and do not smile or act polite towards him.
Thus, these servants do not believe that people with disabilities are capable
of doing the work required. In a later scene, this attitude is confirmed as
they say that he won’t last long due to being “lame”.
However, Anna in this initial meeting does not
turn away from Mr. Bates, smiles at him warmly and interacts with him. Hence,
she appears in this scene to portray a more accepting and modern way of
thinking and behaving in relation to Mr. Bates and, therefore, people with
disabilities. Robert has similar positive interactions with Mr. Bates
throughout the episode. This includes a scene where Mr. Bates is helping Robert
get dressed and Mr. Bates drops something on the ground. At first, Robert goes
to pick the item up, however, when Mr. Bates assures him that he is capable of
doing it, Robert allows Mr. Bates to pick it up. This simple gesture shows that
Robert believes Mr. Bates is able to do things despite his disability. Hence,
both Anna and Robert highlight new ways of thinking and talking about people
with disabilities that would not have been as prominent during the time period
in which Downton Abbey is set. This
indicates the type of characters they are and allows the audience to connect
with them as they treat Mr. Bates with fairness.
A part from Robert and Anna, the other characters
within this episode dismiss Mr. Bates as incapable due to his disability. In
fact, Robert has a conversation with each character about Mr. Bates and his
inability (according to them) to fulfil the work required of him. In each of
these conversations, the characters tell Robert that Mr. Bates is slow and in
their view incapable. Robert in each of these conversations dismisses these
ideas but he does eventually decide that Mr. Bates won’t be able to continue
working there. However, Robert’s sense of empathy and humanity shines through
when he stops Mr. Bates from leaving and says “get inside and we won’t say
another word about this.” Thus, Robert ignores the persistent nature of the
other characters who want Mr. Bates to leave due to his supposed inability to
work because of his disability.
Mr. Bates, therefore, is an important character
as he highlights other characters’ discrimination (or lack thereof) towards
people with disabilities. Along with this, Mr. Bates’ character outlines the
setting and time period of Downton Abbey.
This is reflected in character’s negative reactions to him and his disability
that would not occur as prominently in contemporary society.
References:
Season 1, Episode 1, Downton Abbey 2010, television program, NBC Universal, United
Kingdom, September 26 2010.
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