Monarch of the Glen Essay (age)

The extract from the drama ‘Monarch of the Glen’ highlights the disparity between the age of the young girl Amy and the older workers on the farm. The establishing shot shows very scenic images of the rural Scottish highlands where the drama is set.

In the extract the girl, Amy, is wearing very normal clothes that a teenager would wear. The normality of her outfit contrasts with the workers outfit to emphasize the hard labour they are putting into their work, due to their dirty, working clothes. Furthermore, the cream coloured top Amy is wearing reinforces innocence and youth which further creates imbalance between the darker colours, for example blues and browns of the others. The colours of their clothes have a more adult and grown up feel to them. In addition, when the professor is introduced he is wearing a red tie. The red die foreshadows possible danger in the near future. Moreover, the mise en scene of the old, traditional buildings, juxtaposes with Amy as she portrays youth whilst the buildings signify something decrepit.  

Later in the clip an insert shot is used when Amy is looking at the photograph of the people she is currently living with. High emotion is created by this shot and also due to the eyeline match between Amy and the photograph. The eyeline match intensifies and heightens the deep emotion felt in this scene. Furthermore, the close up of the stuffed bear Amy leaves on the bed also emphasises strong emotion felt in this scene. Due to the innocence of the stuffed bear, juxtaposed with the severity of the situation she is in, a very despondent tone is created.  

When Amy is talking to her guardian after he has found out about her age, the way in which he speaks to her has a parent-like feel to it. Her guardian almost speaks down to her paired with the dialogue used; a significant age divide is portrayed. The dialogue and authoritative tone of his voice suggest he has more power and authority in both, situation and conversation further implies he is older. The non-diegetic, almost folk like music, when the people are working creates an almost upbeat and hard-working mood. The lack of background music when the characters are speaking to each other means more attention is focused on what the characters are saying which exaggerates drama and suspense in the situation.

To conclude, the clip contrasts the age of Amy with the age of the others on the farm. It does so by juxtaposing her youth through setting of old buildings, her teenage-like clothes and the little authority she has.