Satire of class distinction in the film 'Gosford Park' by Robert Altman (including techniques)

One of the main issues being satirised in Gosford Park is the absurdity of class distinction in society. Altman satirises the idea of a social hierarchy, where people are separated into different classes based on their amount of wealth and aristocracy, forced to live different lives and be different people. He highlights the negative effects imposed on society, especially the upper class, as a result of class distinction, where one must do things they do …

…to do eg. Shooting, and pretend to be someone they're not, as seen through the character of Mabel. It seems that no one really wants to be there, but are only there by obligation. The irritated and impatient tone in which Lady Trentham delivers her dialogue "Why does one have to do these things?" along with word choice in one of the bedroom scenes emphasises their miseries and the negative effects due to class distinction.