key term - Social class

Definition

Social class refers to a division of society based on social and economic status, which often influences individuals' opportunities, behaviors, and interactions. It encompasses various factors such as wealth, education, occupation, and lifestyle, shaping how individuals perceive themselves and others within the societal hierarchy. This division can deeply impact narratives in literature, as characters navigate their respective social positions and the values associated with them.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Victorian era was characterized by a rigid class structure, where the upper class, middle class, and working class each had distinct roles and expectations.
2. Victorian values emphasized moral codes that were often tied to one's social class, affecting notions of respectability, virtue, and success.
3. Literature from this period frequently critiques or reflects on the social class dynamics through character development and conflicts.
4. The Brontë sisters' novels often highlight the struggles of individuals trying to transcend their social class limitations, showcasing personal growth against societal constraints.
5. Changes in the Victorian novel often mirrored shifts in society regarding class distinctions, with new narratives emerging that challenged traditional roles and expectations.

Review Questions

• How does the concept of social class influence character development in Victorian literature?
  • In Victorian literature, social class plays a significant role in shaping character development as it dictates the opportunities available to characters. For example, protagonists often face obstacles rooted in their social standings that compel them to confront societal expectations. This struggle leads to character growth or reinforcement of their existing roles within society, reflecting broader themes of individual agency versus structural constraints.
• Analyze how the Brontë sisters use narrative structure to comment on social class issues within their works.
  • The Brontë sisters utilize various narrative structures to offer insights into social class issues. By employing first-person perspectives and unreliable narrators, they present intimate portrayals of characters' internal conflicts related to class. This approach allows readers to engage deeply with the protagonists' struggles against societal norms while highlighting the rigid structures that dictate their lives, ultimately encouraging a critique of these systems.
• Evaluate the transformation of social class representation in Victorian novels and its implications for contemporary literature.
  • The transformation of social class representation in Victorian novels illustrates a shift from strict adherence to established hierarchies to more nuanced portrayals of individual experience. As authors began to challenge traditional roles and highlight issues of inequality, this paved the way for contemporary literature that continues to explore themes of identity and social mobility. The evolution reflects ongoing societal changes and encourages modern readers to question class distinctions and advocate for greater equity in storytelling.

Related terms

Classism: Prejudice or discrimination based on social class, often manifesting in the unequal treatment of individuals from different classes.

Meritocracy: A social system in which individuals' success is determined by their abilities and talents rather than their social class or background.

Social Mobility: The ability of individuals or families to move between social classes, which can be influenced by factors like education, job opportunities, and economic conditions.