Class

Definition

Class refers to the social stratification based on economic status, education, and social status, which influences individuals' roles and relationships within society. In literature, class often shapes characters’ motivations, conflicts, and interactions, highlighting societal norms and values that affect their experiences. Understanding class can help readers analyze themes of power, privilege, and identity in narratives.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. In Jorge Isaacs's 'María,' class differences are highlighted through the characters’ backgrounds and their relationships, illustrating how social status impacts love and conflict.
2. The novel portrays the struggles of the landowning class in Colombia during the 19th century, reflecting broader societal issues related to wealth and power.
3. Isaacs uses class to explore the tension between personal desires and societal expectations, often placing characters in situations where they must navigate these pressures.
4. The sentimental novel format allows for a deep exploration of characters’ emotional lives, particularly as they grapple with issues of love across class lines.
5. Class serves as a lens to critique the inequalities of 19th-century Colombian society, making 'María' not only a romantic tale but also a commentary on social justice.

Review Questions

• How does class shape the relationships between characters in Jorge Isaacs's 'María'?
  • In 'María,' class significantly influences character relationships by creating barriers between individuals from different social backgrounds. The protagonist’s love story is complicated by her family's expectations and societal pressures linked to their socioeconomic status. This tension underscores the struggles faced by those who seek personal happiness while navigating rigid class structures, highlighting how social stratification complicates personal desires.
• Analyze how Isaacs uses class to develop themes in 'María' and its impact on the narrative structure.
  • Isaacs employs class distinctions to enhance themes of love, sacrifice, and societal expectation throughout 'María.' The interactions between characters of varying social standings reveal the conflicts that arise when individual desires clash with familial and societal obligations. This dynamic not only shapes the plot but also enriches character development, as each character's decisions reflect their class influences, ultimately driving home the narrative's emotional depth.
• Evaluate the role of class in shaping moral dilemmas faced by characters in 'María,' and how it reflects broader societal values.
  • Class plays a crucial role in defining the moral dilemmas encountered by characters in 'María,' as they often find themselves torn between love and duty. For instance, Maria's love for Efraín is tested by their differing social standings, prompting questions about loyalty and sacrifice. This struggle mirrors broader societal values of 19th-century Colombia, where economic status dictated personal relationships and moral choices. By exploring these dilemmas through his characters, Isaacs critiques the rigid social hierarchy while emphasizing the human cost of adhering to such structures.

Related terms

Social Stratification: The hierarchical arrangement of individuals or groups in a society based on wealth, power, and prestige.

Romanticism:

An artistic and literary movement that emphasized emotion, individualism, and nature over the rationalism of the Enlightenment, often exploring themes of love and societal constraints.

Sentimentalism: A literary approach that emphasizes emotional responses and the moral dimensions of characters' experiences, often depicting the struggles of individuals against societal norms.