Social Class in
David Copperfield
British society in the 1800’s encompasses three primary social
classes: the upper class, middle
class, and lower class. David Cody,
Associate Professor of English at Hartwick College describes the Victorian class
structure:
“Early in the nineteenth century the labels "working classes" and "middle
classes" were already coming into common usage. The old hereditary aristocracy,
reinforced by the new gentry who owed their success to commerce, industry, and
the professions, evolved into an "upper class" (its consciousness formed in
large part by the Public Schools and Universities) which tenaciously maintained
control over the political system, depriving not only the working classes but
the middle classes of a voice in the political process”. (“Social Class”)
Their class system is famous for
its rigidity, and cultural ties.
David Cannadine, author for The New York Times wrote that:
“In part this is because Britain retains intact an elaborate, formal
system of rank and precedence, culminating in the monarchy itself, which means
that prestige and honor can be transmitted and inherited across the
generations.” (Cannadine, Web).
This class structure has the primary classifications previously mentioned, but
in truth, the ranged class structure, once broken down, goes all the way up
through the royal family.