Textual Analysis: Eastenders

There are many ways in which class is represented in eastenders, either through colloquialisms, coultural backgrounds, types of jobs and many types of Mise-en-scene. There also many positive and negative representations displayed. I have looked at one certain part of an episode of eastenders and seen many examples of these points.

Starting with the use of colloquialisms within the show, it is clear due to the excessive use of it, that we are looking at people of working class. During the scene in the bar, Peggy says to the other bar-man "you watch those three, they've been on the lash since last night." with the use of the word "lash" describing their excessive drinking. She also uses the phrase "sling it" as a way of telling people to get out. Although there is no trouble with using colloquialisms, we can portray this as negative on the community as is shows that the people could be not educated properly.

Choice of clothing also emphasizes to us the audience the portrayal of working class. The characters all dress casually showing the laid back attitude to everyday life as though they are content with the way they live. The uniforms for jobs also displays this in the kitchen argument scene.

There are very mediocre jobs on display within the show shown by Ricky and Samantha's conversation about working in the "Archers" to which Ricky is euphoric with getting the job as head mechanic. This can be seen very positive as Ricky shows genuine happiness here and emphasizes his need for earning a healthy living.

Within many areas of this clip, we can see negative portrayals of class, mainly within immediate families. first example of this, we see Stacey trying to reiterate her need to take care of a dog, but Charlie shows genuine concern as the head of the house, if it's a good idea for her to do so to which she dismisses this by saying "you don't think I can do it do you? no one trusts me [...]" which shows that there could be underlying problems which prompts her to say this. Second example is during the Argument between the Asian family with the mother accusing her husband of cheating. The oldest son is brought into the argument as the one who sparked it all claiming to have witnessed this. This displays a lack of trust and family unity.