Macy’s, KaDeWe, Au Bon Marché, Harrods, Whiteley’s, les Galeries LaFayette – all these stores represent only a few of the many well-known department stores situated in different modern metropolises. What all these famous large-scale stores have in common is that they are mass marketplaces which are often referred to as “halls of temptation” (Rappaport 16) or “cathedrals of consumption” (Fiske 10). In this sense, shopping is no longer considered a pure economic act. Rather, it is regarded as an act being strongly associated with illusion, desires, self-fulfillment, seduction and dreams. With their innovative interior and exterior architecture, their overwhelming range of goods coming from all over the world, and their leisure time facilities, they manage to fascinate us.
These great stores offer customers an enjoyable shopping experience or rather enable them to spend a unique day out by providing much more than the latest fashion and household goods or nice cafés and restaurants in comfortable settings. Many of this type of store include cinemas, theater shows, fitness center or sometimes even miniature golf courses or bowling centers.
March 15, 1909 marks the birth of one of these great department stores, still sustaining its position in British society today: Selfridges. It was the American self-made retail entrepreneur Harry Gordon Selfridge who founded this department store in London’s Oxford Street in 1909 and fascinated his customers by creating a unique experience of shopping (Woodhead 1). To this day, Harry Selfridge is highly praised as a unique marketing innovator. As his personal story inspired ITV drama, there even has been a TV series adapted in which the life of Selfridge and his family members is portrayed as well as the rise and the success of his lifework.
Given that this American visionary presents the protagonist of the TV series Mr Selfridge, the aim of this paper is to consider the central question how his character is represented in the series.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Historical and theoretical background
2.1 Bourgeois culture and the rise of the 19th century department store
2.2 A new era of shopping: Harry Selfridge conquers London’s society
3. The representation of the protagonist Harry Selfridge in the TV series Mr Selfridge
3.1 Mr Selfridge – Everybody’s darling
3.2 Mr Selfridge –a profit-oriented and calculating businessman
4. Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
This paper examines the depiction of the protagonist Harry Gordon Selfridge in the first season of the British television series Mr Selfridge, analyzing how his character is portrayed through both positive and negative personality traits within the context of early 20th-century department store culture.
- Historical evolution and cultural significance of the 19th-century department store.
- Biographical background and influence of Harry Gordon Selfridge on London society.
- The duality of Selfridge's character as a charming visionary and a calculating businessman.
- Analysis of key scenes from the first season to identify character development and conflict.
Excerpt from the Book
1. Introduction
Macy’s, KaDeWe, Au Bon Marché, Harrods, Whiteley’s, les Galeries LaFayette – all these stores represent only a few of the many well-known department stores situated in different modern metropolises. What all these famous large-scale stores have in common is that they are mass marketplaces which are often referred to as “halls of temptation” (Rappaport 16) or “cathedrals of consumption” (Fiske 10). In this sense, shopping is no longer considered a pure economic act. Rather, it is regarded as an act being strongly associated with illusion, desires, self-fulfillment, seduction and dreams. With their innovative interior and exterior architecture, their overwhelming range of goods coming from all over the world, and their leisure time facilities, they manage to fascinate us. These great stores offer customers an enjoyable shopping experience or rather enable them to spend a unique day out by providing much more than the latest fashion and household goods or nice cafés and restaurants in comfortable settings. Many of this type of store include cinemas, theater shows, fitness center or sometimes even miniature golf courses or bowling centers.
Chapter Summary
1. Introduction: This chapter provides a contextual overview of department store culture and outlines the central research question regarding the representation of Harry Selfridge in the ITV series.
2. Historical and theoretical background: This section explores the origins of 19th-century department stores and details the life and business influence of Harry Gordon Selfridge in London.
3. The representation of the protagonist Harry Selfridge in the TV series Mr Selfridge: This centerpiece analyzes how the series portrays Selfridge's dual nature as both an inspiring visionary and a ruthless, profit-driven businessman through specific narrative episodes.
4. Conclusion: The concluding chapter summarizes the study's findings, highlighting the ambivalent and complex nature of the protagonist as presented in the show's first season.
Keywords
Mr Selfridge, Harry Gordon Selfridge, Department Store, Consumer Culture, Television Series, Retail History, Edwardian London, Character Representation, Marketing, Consumption, Bourgeois Culture, Business Ethics, Narrative Analysis, Media Studies, Biography.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this academic paper?
The paper examines how the protagonist, Harry Gordon Selfridge, is depicted in the first season of the television series "Mr Selfridge" and explores the nuances of his personality as portrayed on screen.
What central themes are explored in this work?
Key themes include the rise of consumer culture, the history of department stores, the role of marketing and advertising, and the tension between public charm and private ambition.
What is the main research question of the study?
The research aims to determine how the audience perceives the character of Harry Selfridge in the first season and how the series develops his personality traits.
Which scientific approach does the author use?
The author employs a qualitative analysis of selected episodes and key scenes from the TV series, supported by historical and theoretical literature on department store culture.
What does the main body of the paper cover?
The main body focuses on identifying the protagonist's "positive" side, such as his role as an innovator and charming chief, versus his "dark" side, characterized by egoism, recklessness, and profit-orientation.
Which keywords best characterize this research?
Relevant keywords include department store, Harry Selfridge, consumer culture, media representation, Edwardian London, and character analysis.
How does the series portray the professional relationship between Selfridge and his staff?
The series presents him as a hands-on, encouraging, and visionary leader who tries to create a familiar working environment, although this is often balanced by his demanding nature.
What role does the showgirl Ellen Love play in the depiction of Selfridge?
Ellen Love serves as a primary example of how Selfridge uses individuals for his own business success, illustrating his tendency to treat people as strategic assets before discarding them when they no longer serve his purpose.
Does the author conclude that Selfridge is a purely positive character?
No, the author concludes that Selfridge is an ambivalent character, exhibiting both inspiring qualities and a cold, profit-oriented drive that often isolates him from his family and colleagues.
- Quote paper
- Kim Frintrop (Author), 2015, The Representation of the Protagonist Harry Gordon Selfridge in the TV Series "Mr Selfridge", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/296141
