The Direct Connection Between Class And Language As Seen In The Movie Cruel Intentions

Sometimes when people speak, they try to make other people comfortable in all situations and try to use words that the other uses - the other being the person who he/she is associating with. It isn’t necessarily always a power struggle, but more of a means to keep everyone comfortable. Some people have no desire to take time and learn “upper class words” and are content with what they use. Some people in the upper class do not look down on others that do not speak as they do. Instead they adapt to the person they are conversing with and do not think anything of it and becomes second nature.

e way a person words things has a big impact on people. The different words you use influence the people around you and how you are perceived. This can be seen in the movie Cruel Intentions. One of the main characters, Sebastian Valmont, is part of the upper class in the wealthy part of Manhattan. He uses words that definitely influence the people around him. He is an example of why people of different classes use different words. He says such things as, “I’m sick of sleeping with these insipid Manhattan debutantes”. In other words, he’s tired of hooking up with girls that bore him, or who are uninteresting and tasteless. He uses big words to be recognized as being educated and part of a wealthy elite. He openly reveals his gigantic vocabulary, and makes us, as moviegoers, admire him. This is common of the upper class. They want to be recognized as upper class. This can be seen in politics, economics, sociology, and even psychology. Hamilton states, “Social class…permeates all aspects of our lives, whether or not we’re even aware of it” (Hamilton 16). The effect that words have on other human beings is astounding. More complex words can sound “more important” and therefore be more influential or believable. People look up to others who can speak well. In addition, the upper class uses words to keep themselves in their positions and to keep the life they already have. Essentially, it’s a power struggle. “Class restrictions are very much tied to power, and power perception definitely affects the course of a conversation” (Peters 113). The upper class educated vocabulary, “instill[s] in others a sense of inferiority” (Hamilton 51). This power struggle is very apparent in the movie. It is no wonder the main characters Sebastian and Kathryn compete against each other in a game to dominate other human beings. They are very wealthy, highly educated, and very aware of their social status and power. We see a great example of this when Sebastian meets the “common” girl in the office complex. He says, “God your beautiful…I’m going to take you to lunch”. She stupidly nods and says, “Ok”. It is almost a game to him. He and his wealthy peers use thei

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