Theme of Socio-Economic Struggle in Novels

Outline

1.Introduction-background, quote about economic struggle
2.Theme of socio-economic class in the Great Expectations, Wuthering Heights, Joseph Andrews
3.Theme of socio-economic class in Tess, Mill on the Floss and Emma
4.Examples from contemporary society
5.Conclusion-final remarks and recapitulation of important points

Background

“All history has been a history of class struggles between dominated class at the various stages of social development.” (Fredrich Engles)
Literature, Victorian novels, in particular, illustrate the socio-economic circumstances of a certain period. Whether the time is from the author’s time or the storyline’s period, novels reveal many things about the social and economic structure of society. Many critics believe that everything written in literature is a historical recounting of actual events save for date. Economic and social struggles have been at the base of humanity since the beginning of the industrialization era. Novels are true manifestations of this. In the following paragraphs, the idea is elaborated with contemporary and textual examples.

Let’s be real

No doubt, the economy manipulates the conduct of society. The truth of this statement is heavily evidenced in Joseph Andrews. Readers notice that the British Legal System favored the upperclassmen and persecuted lower classes. When Joseph refuses to sleep with Lady Booby, she fires him on the pretense of misconduct. Consequently, Joseph is out of a job and he has to find work elsewhere as being from the lower class, he has to work hard to earn a living and provide himself with the basic necessities.

The struggle is REAL

Also, when Joseph commits a trivial crime of snapping of a twig from the garden of a “high-fashion” person, he is arrested and subjected to whipping as punishment. On the other hand, rich people were able to get away with their misdeeds with a little bribery. Time and again, Fielding depicts how generosity, chastity and good virtues are portrayed by the lower classes and selfishness, cruelty and sins were the characteristics of the upper classes.

It is debatable that new policies are typically formulated for the welfare and benefit of the upper-class individuals and meant to restrict the poor masses. For example, due to restrictions on the lower classes, the poor took to alcoholism and an increase in crime rates occurred. Therefore, the upper-class had the Parliament enforce a law that two hundred offenses were to be met with death and many poor people were convicted and slaughtered. The author of Joseph Andrews personally experienced these problems and portrayed them in his novel as a way to ridicule the social class system.

Heathcliff’s example

Another example could be the Linton’s reaction to Heathcliff upon catching Catherine and him spying on their family. Since Catherine is from an upper social class, they take care of her and allow her to rest in their house. Heathcliff’s dark complexion and rough manners scream ‘lower class’, although he is the adopted son of a rich family (and Catherine’s foster brother), and they sent him away. This accurately portrays the attitudes of the two classes. The upper-class show unkindness, contempt, and discrimination towards the lower classes.

Although the lower classes might feel the same way, they are not allowed to show it as they are bound to their ‘masters’ and rely on their goodness for jobs and food—like when Nelly says to Cathy not to let Edgar know that she has been seeing Hareton as it would upset him and she might lose her job.

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Fredrich Engles also quoted:
“What is good for the ruling class, is alleged to be good for the whole of society with which the ruling class identifies itself.”

SOCIETY

This is particularly true for contemporary society. The rules and laws are made for them and by them as well. For example, society has a fixed punishment for crimes such as kidnapping, rape, theft, robbery, etc. If a poor man is convicted of these crimes, he will definitely go to jail or fulfill his sentence. However, if a rich man is caught, he will either be given a reduced sentence or the authority will be silenced with a bribe.
I feel like the main reason why Alec gets away with Tess’s rape is not only because the society would blame her both for her ‘fallen woman’ status but also because Alec came from a wealthy family. Also, when Tess killed Alec, the police come to arrest her and execute her almost immediately. Tess is from a poor family so she has no leeway at all in this matter.

What about the Mill on the Floss?

The Mill on the Floss shows two opposite families—The Dodsons and the Tullivers. The Dodsons are wealthy and keep their home and appearances clean. They worry more about their furniture getting dirty from “Maggie’s and Tom’s mud” rather than love their niece and nephew’s adventurous spirits. This shows how superfluous they are as they often call the children “naughty” as their daughter Lucy is very different in comparison. The upper-class families generally treat the lower-class families with contempt, disgust and harsh criticism. Time and again, Maggie is condemned for her outrageous behavior of not being a proper lady and Mr. Tulliver for not saving money for his children and investing it all in lawsuits.

Hard-working PIP

Finally, Pip’s circumstances also shed light on the constant struggle between economic classes and the relative conduct of society. Pip lives with his sister and her husband. Joe is a local blacksmith and although they are not wealthy, they have the basic necessities of survival. Joe is a kind-hearted person who, even after Magwitch admits to stealing the pork pie, tells him that “we wouldn’t have you starved to death for it”. He shows kindness to the escaped convict who is of poor class. Ms. Havisham and her adopted daughter Estella are completely different in comparison. They are rude to Pip upon first meeting him and Estella continue to look down on him as in “Her contempt for me was so strong”, until he becomes a gentleman, or until he improves his social class. Here again, the upper-class show contempt and hatred towards the lower classes.

In reality, the case is the same. Women who are from wealthy families normally look at poor-class men as inferior and revolting without even trying to get to know them. Character is not something that can be assessed by money or social status. However, these girls tend to criticize these boys. If such a boy wants to marry this girl, he must become an educated and wealthy person by choosing a profession that pays well. This is close to our society. I have read numerous articles in which men go into professions such as law, medicine, and engineering for the sole purpose of attaining a good marriage proposal—particularly one from a wealthy family so that he can get maximum in dowry.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the economy manipulates the conduct of society. This is true and evidenced not only in novels but in real-life society well. Just as Mokokoma Mokhonoana said:
“The middle class were invented to give the poor hope; the poor, to make the rich feel special; the rich, to humble the middle class.”
History has been a continuous struggle of these three classes—upper, middle, and lower. This class, then, has a certain impact on their conduct in society. Rich people become snobbish, ungenerous, and cruel to those below them. The middle class has to keep themselves from falling down the ladder as well as working hard to improve their situation. Lower classes are often regarded as ill-mannered, uncivilized, and unruly. They are the largest class but they are confined by the laws of society, which leads to more poverty and oppression.

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