Nostalgia and Escapism: The popularity of Downton Abbey

Abstract

This paper explores both nostalgia and escapism in "Downton Abbey", which is set in 1910s Yorkshire, a fictional Manor - "Downton Abbey", the story begins in the entanglements of Grantham’s family caused by inheritance, shows the British nobles and servants in the strict hierarchy of human attitudes. Through a close examination about the current and past Britain social condition such as class, social inequality, economics and class conflicts, cultural attitudes, this article compares Downton Abbey’s plot and the actual situation of the past Britain, and analyses the reasons that make this series popular. This drama shows that the Great Britain is powerful in many aspects, including politics, economy and culture, it offers a portrait of history that present a splendour of the Edwardian age—the fabulous clothing, lavish dinners, the garden parties, the foxhunts, the shooting lunches furniture, crystal lamps as well as dazzling etiquette.In fact, the United Kingdom is no longer the most powerful country in the world at that time, the economy of American and German had exceed UK in 1910s to 1930s. It finds out that the popularity which actually is a reflection of the contemporary nostalgia and escapism. It indicates that collective nostalgia may reveal underlying current cultural value which is escaping from the reality, because people were not satisfied with their lives today and they were addicted to the illusions that were shown on the drama.