I chose this quote from the movie as my title because I felt like it best summed up the issues of social class we have been discussing thus far in our blogs. I found this film very interesting because it effectively illustrated a hierarchy of men and women through a business deal that was completely realistic. In the beginning of the film we are introduced to Tess, a secretary by day and a college student by night. As she turns 30, her dream remains unrealized; because her education was not acquired at a prestigious school, she cannot gain entry to her firm's training program for recent college graduates. Ironically a topic that we all seemed to want to discuss after reading Fussell’s book last week, her boss tells her she didn’t wasn’t as qualified as those who graduated from “Harvard and Morgan”. I felt this was a cliché example in the film of Fussell’s “college swindle”. Are the diplomas from the colleges and universities such as the examples used in this film actually “better” than one from any other school in America, or have the members of society placed these stereotypes over the years by using their names in situations such as this movie? The only way anyone would for sure know if a degree from Harvard was actually “more beneficial” than a degree from NKU would be to attend each college for the same degree. Although that is unrealistic, I truly believe that we have chalked up so many of these “prestigious” institutions over the years and that we should take some of the blame for the fact that one colleges name versus another colleges name at the top of your diploma can ACTUALLY make or break your chances at receiving a job that you are equally qualified for.
Next I want to address the issue of money and position we see in this film. At the beginning Tess was a lower/middle class citizen. Taking the ferry and walking to work every day where we see her serve those higher than her in the company, all while she wastes the talent we later find out she possesses to achieve great things. Once the incident with Katharine occurs is where I felt the movie started to unfold and we see the horrors of money and social class start leaking out. Tess knew a person like “her” would never be heard by any of the people she wanted to meet with to discuss her new radio idea. When she fell into Katharines position and wardrobe at work, she was set. It amazed me how differently she was treated once she cut her hair and started to wear clothes with $6,000 price tags on them. For the most part she was a very smart and confident woman throughout the film, but didn’t feel until she received a title higher than “secretary” could she meet and discuss her ideas with the presidents of the other companys. In a way she was being coached by the woman that we witnessed in People Like Us. She quickly adapted to the dress, workplace and social events of the upper class. She cut her hair, wore designer clothes, looked more confident at work and was attending weddings and other business events that she originally wouldn’t have ever been invited to. This movie was a great example in showing the social class you are associated with can easily be changed. All it takes is nicer clothes, a better job and getting to know the who’s who among the crowd you are trying to fit in with. I tried and tried to find pictures of Tess from the beginning of the movie to the end but didn’t have any luck but I’m sure you are all able to picture the difference.
In the end this movie didn’t fail to aggravate me once again. The underlying message of this film really pissed me off just thinking about how often something like this I’m sure really happens. How many times in the workplace situations and ideas like Tess’s get stolen every day by people “higher” in ranking than her and they never get credit for it. And just because of their rank in the company they get away with it, how right is that? Sure the Katharines of the work world may have gone to Harvard but it’s the Tess’s from NKU that have the ideas that change the world! J
I think that quote was very meaningful to the movie. Tess is determined to succeed and feels her opportunity is available when Katherine is injured. Sadly, I agree that the college that is on top of your diploma can actually make or break the job that you are equally qualified for. Regardless, I will still be proud of my diploma from NKU. I hope my future employers will be well aware of my qualifications, and not just decide to higher me on where I received a diploma from. I mean right?
ReplyDeleteMoney and position do play a very important role in this film. We see Tess lower/middle class struggle to get to the higher class. She does work hard and want to escape the typical "secretary" job. Sadly, she does get noticed by dressing up and cutting her hair to fit into the higher class. The way she did this though? Not sure if it was quite professional? But I guess it worked for her? =)
it's sad that we live in this kind of world. the fact that our qualifications are perceived by the clothes we wear and our mannerisms that we portray. until we're given the chance to "prove" ourselves we are portrayed to be lowly working class citizens, or even lower, and the only way that we are given a chance is if we have the paperwork that is credible enough, or the right look to be able to captivate a higher classed person.
ReplyDeletethis movie showed a sad realization that happens in our society in every company. the fact that the discrimination does occur, and prevents Tess from expressing her ideas until she actually looked and played the part of a higher class citizens
First off, I really enjoyed your blog! I agree with everything you said! I am with you when you say the movie pissed you off about how often ideas probably get stolen. I can imagine it happens everyday and might even happen to one of us.
ReplyDeleteAnther thing that I was so frustrated about was that she acted so insecure and that she had no self confidence. I love how the end of the movie she was more confident I wish would have been that way from the beginning. Even when her boyfriend cheats on her she just acts like it can be excused. So the way the movie played out I feel was a good example of how things can be.
I also liked how you used Harvard and NKU. I know you said it as somewhat of a joke but i actually really believe it and agree with it. This movie can give inspiration even if it was a little far fetched.
I love your analysis! You are right! We do these things and we do them without even noticing!
ReplyDeleteDo you naturally feel more confident if you are wearing your best outfit or when you are in jeans? This may depend on the environment you are in, but if you want to fit in somewhere you will find a way to reach a comfort level. If you desire to excel or succeed in an unfamiliar environment you will do more than just find your comfort level. We do this everyday. How many professors have intimated you and caused you to stumble over your words or caused you to feel inadequate? Their position alone can make some people feel dumb and inadequate. This is again, human nature. Its natural that Tess assumed the role and appearance of the "successful woman." Without it she would have been ignored. But at least she had the opportunity to rise above her station. She had the opportunity to change her situation because she looked for that opportunity and jumped on it. Other societies don't offer this flexibility. I am not condoning our need to categorize others based on appearance or speech...etc. But we do it anyway. It's a shame but it won't change. We like the idea of equality but it isnt achievable because we aren't really equal. We are different, whether you want to admit it or not. Our humanity binds us but our differences separate us. The best we can strive for is a society that embraces differences and even then you cant foresee the problems this might create. We all make snap judgments about one another because our brains are programmed to do so for survival. We should discuss issues of inequality but we shouldn't force equality on others because its not something that can be forced. Equality is something that we as individuals have to offer of ourselves to others. That just cant be forced. Instead we should be grateful that we live in a country where Tess's can wiggle their way to the top instead of just starting up at it. But it would be nice if everyone followed the same moral code ...then we wouldn't have this crazy problem. But you cant force morals on anyone either! I suppose we are just stuck with the cruel, greedy, unjust and entitled individuals living around us.
In the movie, Tess wasn't able to get a higher paying job in an executive position because the college she attended wasn't "good" enough for the opening position. The movie was made in the 20th century so possibly during that time going to Harvard or Morgan was better than any other college. Attending Harvard or Morgan back then would get you a higher paying job than any other college. Colleges in America such as: Harvard, Princeton, and Yale are excellent schools here in American and are harder to get into than schools like NKU. The media puts so much hype on colleges such as Harvard and I believe that is why Harvard is seen as "better" to receive a diploma. In actuality, other Universities such as Stanford, and the ones stated above, are just as exceptional as Harvard.
ReplyDeleteJust like you stated in your paragraph, I think that Tess was trying to be someone she wasn't because she wanted to live in the "rich" world. She wanted to be in the "rich" social class so bad that she thought she needed to wear $6,000 dollars clothes just to fit in. In the People Like Us film, the woman wanted to be better than what her life was like. Tess has to change who she really is by wearing higher priced clothes, change her hairstyle, and acting as if she lives in the upper social class just to be noticed in the workplace. I think the statement at the end of your paragraph: It's the Tess's from NKU that have the ideas to change the world. I like the way you think! I never pictured it like that, very clever!
I will also be very proud of my degree from NKU, but I do think that there is a big difference in how I'm perceived when compared with competitors who graduated from exclusive, well recognized institutions like Yale, Harvard, and Cornell. I agree with you that it is pretty offensive to think of how many times ideas have been stolen from lower ranking employees to benefit those at the top.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with your statement that Melanie Griffith's character could easily be compared to the woman featured in People Like Us who is being coached in the "How to Marry Up" section of the film. I also agree that a new, more expensive wardrobe and jewelery, a better haircut, and a better job with better pay can greatly improve your chances of "moving up" in the world, as far as social class goes.
Lindsey,
ReplyDeleteYou make a nice connection between Fussell's ideas on college and the film's.
I'm not sure about the business world and the theft of ideas, but I have heard of several stories of professors stealing their students' ideas. A student will pick a dissertation director and propose a project, only to find out later that the professor stole the idea and published an essay on the very same or similar topic. I've even heard about professors who directly took credit for their students' work, submitting articles the student wrote as if they wrote them. Plagiarism indeed!