Social class in tulips - I look down on him

Three Men (tulips) on Class

I cut loads of tulips from the allotment yesterday. Some are very small and others are tall. The tall ones think they are a cut above the rest.


The Frost report ( a UK satirical TV programme) did an iconic sketch on English social class. My image represents social class- upper class- white tulip (John Cleese), middle class- pink tulip (Ronnie Barker) and working class- orange tulip (Ronnie Corbett). The essence of it is that each class looks up to, or down on the others.

The sketch

Cleese: The white tulip
(In bowler hat, black jacket and pinstriped trousers) I look down on him (Indicates Barker) because I am upper-class.
Barker: The pink tulip
(Pork-pie hat and raincoat) I look up to him (Cleese) because he is upper-class; but I look down on him (Corbett) because he is lower-class. I am middle-class
Corbett: The orange tulip
(Cloth cap and muffler) I know my place. I look up to them both. But I don't look up to him (Barker) as much as I look up to him (Cleese), because he has got innate breeding.
Cleese:
I have got innate breeding, but I have not got any money. So sometimes I look up (bends knees, does so) to him (Barker).
Barker:
I still look up to him (Cleese) because although I have money, I am vulgar. But I am not as vulgar as him (Corbett) so I still look down on him (Corbett).
Corbett:
I know my place. I look up to them both; but while I am poor, I am honest, industrious and trustworthy. Had I the inclination, I could look down on them. But I don't.
Barker:
We all know our place, but what do we get out of it?
Cleese:
I get a feeling of superiority over them.
Barker:
I get a feeling of inferiority from him, (Cleese), but a feeling of superiority over him (Corbett).
Corbett:
I get a pain in the back of my neck.

It was written by Marty Feldman and John Law, and features John Cleese, Ronnie Barker and Ronnie Corbett.