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Rise of Middle Class Values
There are a
number of resources throughout literature that have attempted to
convey the increasing rights and responsibilities of the middle
class within the past few centuries. This group has evolved and
has developed its own influence on society, as they have been
considered over the years as one of the most significant groups
in a variety of ways. It is important to recognize that there
are considerable challenges in place in developing an effective
middle class group, yet this evolution has provided a number of
key improvements over the years. Throughout literature, many
references have been made to the overall involvement and
influence of the middle class on modern society, with an
emphasis on such authors as Jane Austen and Frances Burney, to
name a few. The following discussion will evaluate the rise of
the middle class in the context of these authors, emphasizing
various issues that they raise in their classic books.
Specifically, the argument will be made that the creation of the
middle class is a product of aristocratic society in that those
that did not make the cut or fit in properly were grouped in
what became the middle class, and that this consequence of
socialization served as a positive step in the development of a
multi-class society.
Jane Austen’s “Persuasion” tells the story of the Elliott
family, who own land and are respected members of their
community, and the widow Walter, who has raised three
daughters by himself over the past decade, is in serious
danger of becoming broke as a consequence of his spendthrift
habits (Austen). The eventual consequence of this spending
is to relocate to a more affordable home and an area that is
not considered to be aristocratic, yet it is not poor
either, and this area is what became known as the middle
class (Austen). It is important to recognize that in the
Austen book, there are a wide variety of issues to be
evaluated relative to middle class existence, including but
not limited to the importance of maintaining a sense of
responsibility with regards to financial matters, as well as
consideration towards various social status issues of
importance.
The primary themes of the book coincide with the argument
that the middle class is a product of aristocratic society
in that there is a strong need by the main characters to
adhere to a strict sense of social class, which emphasizes
affluent norms and expectations (Austen). However, it
should be noted that these same norms and values that
support the aristocratic regime also facilitate the
development of middle class society, as it is estimated that
social status is not limitless, and that all persons do not
necessarily belong in one given social group for their
entire lives (Austen). Rather, it is expected that many
individuals will perhaps move from one class to another in
the context of ever-changing life circumstances, which leads
them to new opportunities and an even greater chance of
fulfilling their dreams (Austen). Perhaps most significant
to this argument is the fact that as specific circumstances
change, new opportunities arise, even if they are not what
is anticipated or even expected, and this has served as the
primary basis for the development of the middle class social
group.
Throughout Austen’s novel, it is evident that in
understanding the aristocratic or upper class, there is
little room for any sort of flexibility in such areas as
conduct, income, marriage, and land ownership, since these
ideals were established centuries prior to when the novel
was written (Austen). However, the author is well aware of
the necessity for change and elasticity of norms and values
in order to embrace those individuals that do not quite live
up to aristocratic expectations for one reason or another
(Austen). It is important to understand that the most
important aspects of developing the middle class in this era
was a widespread response to the excessive harshness and
rigidity of those that did not fit the aristocratic bill,
thereby creating opportunities for a new social class,
comprised of its own set of morals and values (Austen).
This new class of individuals paved the way for the
development of this new social group that sought to carve a
niche for themselves in the modern social arena (Austen).
The evolution of Austen’s main characters, including Walter
Elliott, leads them down an unfamiliar path of existence,
one that they must learn to grow accustomed to rather
quickly in order to survive (Austen). In this context, it
is essential that readers must learn to identify with some
of the ridiculous norms that are expressed by the
aristocrats, as they frequently lose touch with reality as a
result of their seemingly unlimited financial resources
(Austen). Furthermore, this group does not typically
recognize any individuals outside their circle as important
and worthwhile contributors to society, and therefore, many
challenges are faced by those considered to be middle class
members of society (Austen). Therefore, a dramatic shift in
values and norms was essential to establish the middle class
social group back in the 18th Century, and this
group evolved from many social outcasts, those that were not
fit to be excluded in the aristocratic group for one reason
or another (Austen). Once this group became recognized as a
force to be reckoned with, it became evident that there were
a substantial number of individuals within society that did
not fit the aristocratic mold, nor were they considered to
be poor and destitute, and therefore, they were classified
as those in the middle of these two polar opposites, a happy
medium between two groups that did not recognize each other
in society (Austen).
In order to realize the impact of this shift in social
thought and values, it should be noted that the middle class
evolved with a few members, and its group membership
increased so quickly because it was recognized that these
individuals possessed a stronger sense of values and respect
for others, as well as a graciousness that the aristocrats
did not possess in any way, shape or form. Much of the
value system that was established with the middle class
conveyed a strong sense of respect and support for others
within this group, as well as the desire to achieve high
expectations and to acquire success honestly and
gratefully. Therefore, the middle class learned to
understand how their decisions influenced those around them,
thereby creating new opportunities for achievement and
admiration for others.
In conclusion, the establishment of the middle class is
effectively conveyed in Jane Austen’s classic novel
“Persuasion,” which describes the decline of an aristocratic
family from the top of the pyramid to the middle class,
demonstrating the many struggles that the characters faced
in the process. The middle class serves as a reminder that
there is a place for everyone in life, and that regardless
of the resources that a person possesses, acceptance is
possible.
Works Cited
Austen, Jane.
“Persuasion.” New York, Penguin Books, 1964.
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