Ⅱ。 Overview of Downton Abbey

    This series sets in the novelist Downton Abbey, which happens in a Yorkshire country house, the seat of Farl and countess of Grantham, and follows the lives of the aristocratic Grawley family and their domestic workers during the reign of King George V。 The first series of Downton Abbey starts at the end of Edwardian era in 1912, when the family heir's died aboard the Titanic。 The second series were since the year 1916 to 1919, in which the Battle of Somme happened。 During the war, Downton Abbey becomes for a short time officer's hospital。 Everyone living in Downton makes contributes to the war。 For instance, Lady Sybil is trained as a nurse to care the wounded。 Lady Edith helps the wounded write a home letter。 Matthew is about to engaged to a wealthy solicitor’s daughter, who is called Livinia Swire。 What’s more, Matthew joins into British Army and becomes an officer。 Mary later realized that she was truly in love with Matthew, but this time she was about to engaged to another man。 

    The third series picks up soon thereafter, from 1920 to the autumn of 1921。Mary calls an engagement to Richard Carlishe。 Mary and Mathew get married in this series。 Tom Branson and Sybil return to Downton after Tom is implicated in burring on Irish aristocrat’s house。 And this time, Lady Sybil is now pregnant。 Sybil marries to a driver Tom, so it makes Robert feel ashamed。 Although all visitors make fun of Tom, Mathew and Isobel still support him。 This series is tragic, because Sybil dies in childbirth。 People living in Downton are deep in sorrow。 In this series, because of the influence of Industrial revolution and World War I, woman’s thoughts have changed a lot。 Marthew’s mother openly supports woman’s right。 She helps a prostitute thoroughly reform herself, and employs her to the housemaid。 Meanwhile, Edith publishes an article what is about supporting woman’s right。

In series four, Lady Mary has been racked with grief since Matthew died in a car accident。 And George, who is Mary’s son, will inherit the Abbey。 The Middle daughter lady Edith, she becomes a writer in weekly newspaper column, and she falls in love with her editor, Michael。 However, they can not get married。 The reason is that Michael can not porce his psychotic wife。 After Michael’s missing, Edith finds that she is pregnant。 Under her aunt's help, she gives birth to her baby in an unknown place。 In series five, the reason of Green’s death was surveyed by a local policeman。 And Bates is under suspicion as the murderer who kills Green。 文献综述

    In series six, driven by a rising middle class, Abbey faces a financial crisis。 Aristocrats are forced to sell their estate。 The whole family has to find a way to solve economic problems and think Abbey’s future survival into consideration。 The owner of Abbey wants to reduce some staffs, which forces Tomas to seek a new job。 At that time, Lady Mary becomes the estate’s permanent agent。 A mysterious woman wants to threat Mary through publishing Mary’s scandal。 Isobel and Lady Violet quarrel about the problem whether let government take-over the local hospital。 At the same time, Anna is told that she is innocent of Mr。 Green’s murder。 Everyone is happy for her。 However, she is not always the one who is blessed。 Anna tells Bates she can’t have a baby。 Following the suggestion of Lady Mary, Anna goes to London to see a doctor。 Mr。 Carson and Mrs Hughes prepare their wedding。 Mrs Hughes insists that wedding should be held at the school house。 During the wedding, Tom Branson and her daughter go back to Downton。 Daisy feels guilty because she can not keep the farm。 Andy, a footman in Abbey tries to help Mr。 Mason, but he is illiteracy, so he does not have enough capability to help Mr。 Mason。 For this reason, Tomas teaches Andy to read and write。 But this act is under suspicion by other people。 Mary and Tom take over Downton’s operations due to Robert is seriously ill。 Daisy and Mr。 Molesly join into the academic exam and get high marks。 And Mr。 Molesly is hired as a teacher by the school。 In the racing game, Herry’s friend dies in a car accident。 Because Mary is fear that Herry will also die in a car accident, she decides to end her relationship with Herry。 Beritie Pelham is running after Edith。 Though Edith also likes him, she refuses him due to her daughter Marigold。 But Beritie never gives up。 Edith accepts his proposal because of his insistence。 But before the wedding, Mary tells everyone Edith’s secret in a quarrel with Edith。 Bertie is sad and leaving。 Tom lets Mary know about her inner heart and lets her consider the feeling of Herry。 Then Mary marries to Herry。 When Mary realizes that she is wrong, so that she wants to do something for Edith。 Mary thinks a way that can make a chance for Edith and Bertie。 Then Edith is reconciled to Beritie。 Tomas finds a new job and plans to leave to Downton。 Lord Merton is diagnosed with terminal pernicious anaemia, and he tells Isobel that he’s day are numbered。 So Isobel takes care of him every day。 Carson is also diagnosed with disease which is similar with her father’s。 So he doesn't have enough capability to carry out his duties。 Then Tomas go back to Downton replacing Carson’s position。 Melesley resigns the job in Downton and accepts the job in the school。 Andy tells Daisy that he loves her。 Daisy realizes Andy may be a good person to be her husband, and she accepts his proposal。 Soon afterwards, they move to a farm and live with Daisy’s father-in-law。 Lord Merton is better for good care。 Edith and Berties are married on New Year’s Eve。 And Anna and Bates have their first baby。 The whole family has a happy ending with the song。