The Regality and Class of the Dowager Countess
“Stop that noise, I can’t hear myself die”. There are no last words more befitting of a character than these from the Dowager Countess of Grantham, Lady Violet Crawley. Downton Abbey: A New Era, the second film stemming from the popular television series, sees the passing of the Dowager Countess in an incredibly emotional scene. Much like her time on the series, she cuts that emotional tension at the knees with a witty remark. It’s a scene that captures all of the great elements her character represents on Downton Abbey. She commands the room, even in death.
She balances humor, insightfulness, intelligence and wit with confidence and charm. When you think of Downton Abbey, the Dowager Countess (or one of her many quotes) comes first to mind. That’s because her position on the series and Maggie Smith’s incredible performance make it such. She is the representation of the regality, class, thoughtfulness and humor that makes Downton Abbey so great.
One of the prevailing themes of Downton Abbey is how it places its women in the front. Especially within the Crawley family. Each of the women in the Crawley family lead in various ways and lead men. In a time period where this was mostly unheard of, this would have been remarkable, which is why the theme resonates so well. The physical embodiment of this theme is the Dowager Countess. Lady Violet Crawley is essentially the matriarch of Downton. Pulling the strings of everyone around her to not only get what she wants, but to ensure the success of her family and of Downton.
She is also a clear inspiration to the women around her. Mary appears to be following in her footsteps, except a bit more in the forefront. Blending the Dowager’s sharp tongue and confrontational nature, Mary is the new head of the Crawley family. Edith owns a magazine and runs her business with a confidence and assurance also present in her grandmother. Even Isabel, as a peer, and Cora, her daughter-in-law, have benefited from the presence of the Dowager Countess. She doesn’t just hold this power, because it’s written. There is power in the performance from Maggie Smith. The Dowager is a commanding, strong presence. She demands respect and carries all of this with the elegance fitting a matriarch of a prominent household.
The biggest conflict in Downton Abbey is the constant threat of progression on the traditional way of life during that time period. All throughout the series characters, both upstairs and down, are wrestling with the changing times. Lady Violet, again, embodies this struggle perfectly. Accustomed to an even more traditional way of living than even Robert, she is in the middle of this constant conflict. Whether it's her physically voicing her disgust or disappointment in the changing times, or if it’s merely the idea of her objection, the Dowager Countess is all present.
She is the standard to which all things are judged and accepted. Which is particularly interesting because she is far more progressive than you would think. Accepting the changing of times sometimes through gritted teeth, but others she accepts with a surprising amount of grace. Lady Violet represents the traditions of Downton, but also the acceptance of Downton. The entire Crawley family follows her even in this. Downton is an accepting place and it manages to successfully shrink the class gap. The Dowager is that balance, acceptance and legacy.
Downton Abbey: A New Era, is the end of the Dowager Countess of Grantham. How Downton will move on without her is a legitimate question. She is Downton Abbey. Lady Violet represents everything that is great and special about it. Carrying the weight of its themes, along with its tradition is no small feat. Along with those things, the Dowager Countess sets the tone. Her quick wit doesn’t merely define her character, but defines the series. The intelligence, humor and confidence that is required is common in each character. Her humor, something that is another defining element of Downton’s greatness, is defined by her. Classic one-liners and retorts are something fans wait on the edge of their seats for.
Each element of Downton’s greatness is found in the Dowager Countess. It’s why the character is so iconic and why it’s so sad to see her go. She is the lifeblood of everything that makes Downton Abbey special. To no longer have her presence in Downton is sad. Maggie Smith is nothing short of legendary in this role. Her ability to create this character, one with such depth, nuance and class is incredible. Downton will not be the same without her, which also adds to her tremendous legacy.
