What I learnt from Downton Abbey

Crew and castle- Downton Abbey

The British historical drama television series Downton Abbey piqued my interest when I searched for something to watch on Netflix. When I read the intro of the series, I was curious to know about the British way of living, their culture and customs. With a contented heart, I finished the series and am happy that I enjoyed a good television drama.

I learnt some new and interesting things from the series.

• The first and foremost thing that I developed was my vocabulary. I learned new words like a butler, valet, footman, head maid, lady maid, livery etc. Though they are simple words, they are part of the life of the British aristocracy.
• Their way of living includes horse riding, hunting, luncheons, tea parties, garden parties, country fairs, dinners, balls, the social season, the British slang, the courtesies, dress attires, jewellery etc.
• The way they treat their servants, the method of running the household, addressing the servants with politeness and respect.
• The servants have minimum education and know-how to read and write. They try to improve their lives with changing times and doing their service to the lords. Each character gives something to realise some good things. For example:
• The lady maid-Gwen learns to typewrite and acquires a decent job.
• The butler and footman-Mr Molesley becomes a teacher.
• The Kitchenmaid- Daisy continues her studies and completes her exams.
• The footman — Alfred becomes a professional chef.
• The cook — Mrs Patmore invests in bed and breakfast cottage and starts a secondary source of income.
• In old age also, a couple finds love — Mr Carson, the head butler and the housekeeper Mrs Hughes. They plan for their retirement as well.
• The footman and under butler- Mr Barrow, in the end, realise the preciousness of kindness, loyalty, good nature and friends. In my view, that character, though it has negative shades, is strong and survives.
• The love, trust, faith of a couple helps them to overcome the hardships faced in their lives — Mr Bates and Anna.
• The estate, Downton Abbey adopts new ways to increase the earnings and the business in farming, cottage renting, investing in a pig farm etc. It survives when some other estates fail.

The closing of the series with a Christmas theme of “silent night” is very pleasant and captivating. I wish to know how Downton Abbey will look like during current times and the life of the characters and their successors.

Glad to watched that series!