The Representation of Cigarettes and Wine in British Sitcoms

Abstract

This thesis adresses the question how British sitcoms represent the use of cigarettes and wine. It focusses on three specific case studies from over the past thirty years, namely To the Manor Born (1979), Absolutely Fabulous (1992) and Black Books (2000). By means of Roland Barthes’ approach to post-structuralism, each case study is analysed as an unstable entity that is defined through its cultural, social and political framework. Moreover, this political framework is divided into respectively the Thatcher (1979-1990), Post-Thatcher (1990-1997) and New Labour (1997-?) era. In doing so, a link is created between these three contexts and the use of cigarettes and wine by different classes and lifestyles.