Dalrymple's Verdict on 'Downton Abbey'

The reason for the popularity of the British soap-opera and PBS's Masterpiece Theatre Downton Abbey, according to British essayist Theodore Dalrymple, pen name for Dr Anthony Daniels, is that we Americans really do love the idea of social class rather than that 'all men are created equal' claptrap: my guess is that Dr Daniels is seeing himself reflected in his own eyeglasses.

Of course, we commoners like a good story, even if it is a soap opera; and we enjoy comparing and contrasting the upstairs characters and their way of dealing with the world with their downstairs counterparts. Just like our British cousins. But to say that we Americans like Downton Abbey in the same way that we like using the 'N' word is just silly.

The decline of the aristocracy in England in the latter part of the 19th century and early 20th century is a grand collection of a great many interesting smaller stories. We Americans may see some prospect of declines in our own fortunes in the late 20th century and early 21st century, and thus we may look to earlier times for help.