CLASS IN THE VICTORIAN ERA

Historical Context:
The Victorian era had a very judgemental society, and it was extremely hard to move up in the ranks of class, once you were born into one, you stayed there. The Victorians took class very seriously, especially those in the hierarchy of society who did not want to dirty their blood or shame their family name by marrying someone of lower class. There were certain codes to be respected if a social event meant the mixing of different classes: You were to never approached people of higher rank, unless being introduced by a mutual friend. People of lesser rank were always introduced to people of higher rank, and then only if the higher-ranking person had given his/her permission. Even after being introduced, the person of higher rank did not have to maintain the acquaintance. They could ignore, or 'cut' the person of lower rank

Victorian society can be split into 3 classes: upper, middle, and lower.

UPPER-CLASS
The upper class consisted of the nobility, or the peerage, such as dukes and earls. They were often related to the royal families of Britain and Europe, and therefore had reputations to uphold and expectations to meet - they distinguished themselves from other classes and remained as distant from them as possible . Most of them did not have a profession, as their families had sufficient funds meaning they lived in luxury. However, many were heads of industries, such as mining, ship building and large factories. Due to these affluent funds the upper class held a position of power. Many employed workers who needed the jobs, and therefore were paid as little as possible - this meant the rich got richer and the poor struggled to get by, therefore becoming stuck in poverty.

MIDDLE-CLASS
The middle class consisted of rich families who were respectable, but lacked a 'title', such as a dukedom, they often had skilled professions, such as a doctor, or a teacher. At the beginning of the Victorian era, they were a small proportion of the population. However, towards the end of the Victorian era the effects of the Industrial Revolution began to show, meaning that more people could be defined as 'middle class' because of improvements in education and more opportunities to rise in the social class system.

LOWER CLASS
The lower class often low skilled, dangerous, dirty and boring jobs that they had to take because of the lack of education and need for money. Men, women and children of all ages worked in these harsh conditions for extremely low pay - they

were exploited by the upper classes

There was also a class below the working class - paupers. They lived in extreme poverty, often because of old age, unemployment, illness or strained resources. Many turned to crime and prostitution as they had no other choice. Some chose to go into the workhouses however these conditions were often just as bad as living on the streets.

CHARLES DICKENS
Born in 1812 to John and Elizabeth Dickens, died in 1870 At the age of 12 he is sent to work at a Blackening factory working 12 hour days in awful conditions Dickens takes great interest in socialism Due to becoming a successful author, Dickens is able to express his social and political views in his novels which are evident in 'Oliver Twist', 'David Copperfield' and ' A Tale of Two Cities'. Dickens often portrays his characters of the lower class to be 'better' than those in the higher class ( a reflection of his own views) He shows dislike for the upper class and a strong interest in social reform

G R E AT E X P E C TAT I O N S E X T R AC T - OV E RV I E W
With the introduction of Miss Havisham and Estella, the themes of social class, ambition, and advancement move to the forefront of the novel. Pips hopes (encouraged by Mrs. Joes and Pumblechooks suggestive comments) that Miss

Havisham intends to raise him into wealth and high social class are given special
urgency by the passionate attraction he feels for Estella. His feelings for the very pretty and very proud young lady, combined with the deep impression made on him by Satis House, with its ornate grandeur, haunted atmosphere, and tragic sense of mystery, raise in Pip a new consciousness of his own low birth and common bearing.

G R E AT E X P E C TAT I O N S E X T R AC T- A N A LY S I S O F C L A S S
Throughout the passage, Estella refers to Pip as boy or this boydegrading him from his name and belittling him although she is of the same age. She continues to be rude and condescending towards Pip: She denounced me for a stupid, clumsy labouring-boy proving how those of high class lost their manners for others as they become blinded and arrogant with their power. Pip continues to be polite and well behaved, as he knows saying the wrong thing could end him in deep penalty.

Pip begins to become aware of his low class, and in turn begins to form a low opinion of himself: He
calls the knaves, Jacks, this boy! said Estella with disdain before the first game was out. And what coarse hands he has. And what thick boots! I had never thought of being ashamed of my hands before; but I began to consider them a very indifferent pair. Her contempt was so strong, that it became infectious, and I caught it. Dickens describes Estellas insulting behaviour as a virus and like a virus it infects Pips views of himself. This coveys how the upper-class had the power to dictate what was seen as respectable and right in society, and what as seen as lowly and pitiful, the example here being coarse hands and thick boots.

G R E AT E X P E C TAT I O N S E X T R AC T- O T H E R A N A LY S I S
Description of Miss Havisham ought to be whitehad lost its lustre White is a colour often closely associated with purity, innocence and virginity- hence being the traditional colour of a wedding gown. The way in which it has lost its lustre is much like Miss Havisham herself who has withered like the dress. Her sunken eyes infer she has shed many a tear. Once rounded now shrunk to the bone the reader is lead to believe that she was once beautiful and that the time she has spent grieving and plotting revenge against men has taken its toll on her body, causing it to wither. Dickens uses much colour symbolism to draw the readers attention to the age and impurity of everything that was once white and is now yellow, inferring that what was once pure was now corrupted. It is important to remember, as a reader, that upon this first meeting Pip is still a young boy, and therefore every reaction he has will be an extreme and childish one, as he does not have the maturity to react in any other way

O T H E R V I C T O R I A N T E X T S T H AT INCLUDE THE THEME OF CLASS

Oliver Twist Charles Dickens Great Expectations Charles Dickens Wuthering Heights Emily Bronte The picture of Dorian Gray Oscar Wilde Society T.W Robertson Analysis of Oliver Twist -

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