MovieChat Forums > Notes on a Scandal (2007) Discussion > Class statements and Sexism

Class statements and Sexism

posted 9 years ago by PeachMelba
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The film makes some really great observations about class and gender. Class is mentioned quite often by Barbara, Sheba mentions it, as does Stephen. Interestingly, there is a distinction between class and "classy behaviour", the irony being that the highest of class (Sheba) shows the least classy behaviour (sex with a minor on the ground in a rail yard). Despite Barbara's frequent quips about class, she appears to be the biggest snob in the story.

Sexism is also evident in the story, particularly of the role of women, with the males of the story getting away with whatever they like. Eg, Richard is not overly judged for marrying a younger woman, and Stephen's parents, as well as Richard, cannot accept that Stephen played an active role in the scandal, referring to him as an "innocent", which he was not. Women are further downgraded by the Christmas dinner guest's (Sheba's mother?) comments about Sheba's father being "exceptional", while she simultaneously and blatantly plays down any virtues that Sheba might have.

In the closing scenes, I particularly liked the juxtaposition of Barbara's downward staircase, against Sheba's elevated ascent into her middle class, city home. It really just summed it up. Perhaps Barbara's fault was that she never aimed for more, preferring to position herself in the "front row seat" of life's soap opera.

All in all, if you're a middle aged woman, or an aged woman with lesbian desires, as Barbara was, it is plainly obvious you are at the bottom of the food chain!

[–] spookyrat1 9 years ago

... and Stephen's parents, as well as Richard, cannot accept that Stephen played an active role in the scandal, referring to him as an "innocent", which he was not.

Being a minor, he will always be seen as an "innocent" by any who pass judgement on the "scandal". Thus the media throng who would undoubtedly be collectively portraying Sheba, as a teacher/predator.🐭

[–] PeachMelba 9 years ago

Yes of course, however, i think the storyline turns a lot of politically correct and social milieu myths upside down, eg, that the classes are more mannered and convivial than the 'proles', that women can't be predators, and that innocence probably has nothing to do with biological age in some instances.

Despite the portrayel of Stephen as a Special Ed student, he was cocky, self-assured, and even conceited when it came to pursuing Sheba, and not really innocent at all. It's just a shame the media bandies around such terms, when the actual fact was that Stephen is underage, and not really innocent! I am, in now way, condoning Sheba's actions though. Maintaining professional boundaries should have been part of her teacher training, but perhaps she missed that part.

[–] spookyrat1 9 years ago

I said on another thread based on what we see in the film, it almost seems to be this naïve bohemian hedonism that allows Sheba to be attracted to Steven, clouding her judgement completely.

Steven is well-drawn in the script and we can understand why both characters (Steven and Sheba) behave as they do. But unfortunately for Sheba, both legal and ethical lines were crossed.🐭

[–] PeachMelba 9 years ago

I'm not really asking for a literal interpretation of the script, but rather personal interpretations and implications within the storyline. My original post about so much more than just the Sheba/Steven liason. Note: the thread is titled "Class statements and Sexism".

Getting back to the Sheba and Steven thing, perhaps Sheba is unintelligent, and does not calculate the consequences of her actions. This may be implied by a stunted emotional and psychological growth, as implied by the storyline, due to constant criticism and poor parenting by her mother. As her mother stated at the Christmas Party, Sheba has been lucky enough to get by on her looks alone. The statement about being 'Bohemian' is merely a musing by Barbara and is therefore an unreliable basis for any of Sheba's behaviour.

[–] Future_Games 8 years ago

Sexism is also evident in the story, particularly of the role of women, with the males of the story getting away with whatever they like. Eg, Richard is not overly judged for marrying a younger woman

Why should we judge Richard? Sheba was 20 when their relationship started. She was an adult. That isn't the same as a woman in her late 30s sleeping with a 15-year-old.

You keep on reminding me of a darkness only I can see

[–] PeachMelba 8 years ago

She was Richard's student actually. Not sure whether their relationship started while she was still his student, but if it did, he did not seem to suffer any consequences for his indiscretion.

[–] kedog22 8 years ago

In what way does Sheba's mother criticizing her, amount to sexism? She was comparing her own daughter, who she felt was relatively unaccomplished, to her husband, whom she obviously thought was brilliant. Your examples of sexism are vague and hazy.

[–] Cranmer (139) 3 years ago

OK five years on, but it's not quite correct to say Sheba was the 'highest of class.' In British terms she's middle or upper middle class, she's not from the aristocracy or landed gentry which would traditionally be regarded as the 'top'. But I agree she is at the top of the social strata one would expect to find teaching in a state school.