Social classes are categories societies are sectioned into based n their economic and social status. The Victorian era was a time period when Queen Victoria was in power. Social classes underwent various changes during the Victorian era. The social classes consisted of the upper class, middle class, and the lower class. The upper class was the wealthiest of everyone and their income was mostly inherited. The middle class were average paid. The lower class suffered the most with the social class system. Classism resulted in an overwhelming number of lower class. Societies attitude towards the poor changed as the Victorian era progressed because many people became worried about the population of lower class. The lower class was not able to afford
For members of the middle class, there were still respectable job opportunities that were available to them. For example, Joe was a blacksmith and Pip was his apprentice; those were both respected and decent lines of work. They had, “higher economic and social position than farm or factory workers” and were considered skilled artisans by their peers and associates (A Victorian Blacksmith's Shop). Also, most members of the middle class had time for relaxation and participated in Victorian era culture. It could be said that the middle and lower classes of the Victorian era fully participated in English culture and lived somewhat robust lives (Bailey 57). Most people assume that life in the lower class was all hard work, but what they don’t know is that relaxation was available more than ever to the poor and middle class (Bailey
Upper middle, middle and lower, these are the modern day classes Americans are familiar with. But what many don’t know is between 1558-1603, the Elizabethan Era, the same social class system was already being used. The only difference was that they were more in depth. Although the social class system is still in place today during the Elizabethan era it was used to place people in categories based on their financial state, family history, and beliefs.
During the Elizabethan Era, social classes were a big thing. People were born into a class. The main classes were The Monarch, Nobility, Gentry, Merchant, Yeomanry, and Laborers. The higher class would rule the lower class and they would be The Monarch, Nobility and Gentry. Each had a different role, The Monarch was the ruler above all, he/she would rule the land and everyone on it. At the time, Elizabeth was the Monarch. Queen Elizabeth was known as the greatest ruler of England. She never married, but went through her 'rebirth' and became married to England. She ruled for 45 years and made England a very strong country. The Nobility where the Knights and Noblemen. It was a very small class. At the head of every noble family would be a very
Throughout the first half of the semester, we have consistently discussed and learned the impact of the Victorian Middle Class (VMC). One of the major topics was its influence on prizefighting, and how the culture and values of the Victorian Middle Class influenced its growth from a lowest of the low sport to a sporting spectacle viewed by all. The Victorian Middle Class culture’s influence on the transformation of prizefighting was due to a large number of ideas, especially its strict values, the sporting fraternity, along with the Civil War.
Upper middle, middle and lower, these are the modern day classes Americans are familiar with. But what many don’t know is between 1558-1603, the Elizabethan Era, the same social class system was already being used. The only difference was that they were more in depth. Although the social class system is still in place today during the Elizabethan era it was used to place people in categories based on their financial state, family history, and beliefs.
Hundreds of years ago, England prospered under the long rule of Queen Elizabeth I. This period of time, known as the Elizabethan Era, consisted of distinct differences between social classes. Diverse education, clothing, and entertainment were all important aspects of life in the Elizabethan Era. To start off, differences in education not only included upper and lower classes, but also schooling for boys and girls.
Regency England was very different from the world today. Society revolved around social classes, which typically correlated with wealth and family ties. There were many different social classes in the era. The highest class in society was the royal family, consisting of the king, queen, prince, and princess. The next highest class would be the aristocracy. This would include dukes, marquesses, earls, viscounts, and barons (Ray 37). Knights and baronets were not included in this class. They were considered commoners (Ray 38). The gentry was a very wide class. Land-owning males in the gentry, like Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice, were called gentlemen (Ray 39; Gao). Ladies were also considered gentry (Ray 12). With all of these different classes, one might say that social classes played a big factor in Regency England society.
The average life a person lives in this time period comes easy. Though we may carry certain struggles, they don’t compare to the daily troubles of lower class throughout the Victorian Era. Of course, there were countless successful people during this time, poverty became a huge predicament for the common family. Shortage issues influenced adults as well as the children. All ages got the enjoyment of life stolen from them in this rigid era. Lack of help would only ruin these people as well as the time period as a whole.
Before the industrial revolution there were only two social classes, the poor and the upper class. Then, due to the growing urban, machine-driven manufacturing economy the Middle Class emerged. This new class was the biggest section of the population and it included a diverse selection of people including bankers, shop keepers, merchants and manufacturers for “it was in trade and industry that the middle classes excelled” (Potter, 1987: 223).
In the Victorian Era, life for the impoverished often proved to be grim and because of the circumstances, not very long. Although they worked long and hard, their efforts often tended to bear little fruit. Women and children were considered cheap labor. The destitute and desperate worked in factories and coal mines and in many other dangerous places to perform dangerous jobs. The well-off only saw them as labor and not worth their time. Overcrowding was a large problem that led to sanitation issues. These issues In modern times, the lower class can receive and education and more potential opportunities and potential careers. It is much easier to become successful. The opportunity to live a gratifying and more fulfilling life is more accessible than it ever was before, which can most definitely undermine class rank. But, that does not mean that the lower class is given every chance that the upper class is given. It is much less troubling for those of higher stature to get a job or compared to the less
Social classes play a major role in society and shape the roles of the people. Since the Elizabethan period began, the social classes were well structured with many influences, such as prestige or wealth. Many citizens found ways to elevate their status and become more successful citizens in the public. The social class structure in the Elizabethan Era was thought to be strict and very well organized, yet still had many opportunities and flaws which lead to changes in citizens’ lives.
Class distinction was one of the major problems of the 18th century.The class one was coming from, the reputation of your family was taken into consideration by society.Society was divided into three classes;upper class which consists of people who had power and authority to control everything with money, middle class which includes merchants, farmers, shopkeepers and working class which consists of people who were living under the control of the upper class, usually servants and house keepers.This hiearchical order based on the worth of the people and wealth brought about some strict rules.One of these rules was to remind one one's place and to act according to that.Interaction between classes in the 18th century was limited.A man of upper
The Victorian Era was a time of peace and prosperity. During the Victorian Era the society was divided into various social classes like the working class, middle class. Upper class, Dickens/Victorians. Above all those classes the middle class was the most hard working class with all the various occupations but also they also had quite relaxing life also speaking of which let's get into the middle class.
The society under the reign of Queen Victoria had three classes divided into the Upper Class, Middle Class, and the Lower Class. The Upper Class contained royalty, nobility, and aristocrats while the Middle Class contained many business men or knights in the Queens’ court and the Lower Class was filled with groups of skilled workers and the poor. Throughout the Victorian age, the class that prospered the most was the Middle Class.
The upper classes had all of the political power, and the middle and lower classes had absolutely none. There was also a group below the working class called the sunken class. They lived in poverty and struggled immensely in their daily lives. While the lower class people were working for a living, the rich were living glamorously. They had large houses, plots of land, and maids and butlers. Even with all of these amenities, the upper class paid no taxes. The citizens under the aristocrats paid nearly all of the taxes, even though they worked for pennies a day. This created hostility towards the upper class, and made the class disparity even more severe. In A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens, Ebenezer Scrooge was a wealthy, upper-class man. He did not do anything to help the poor or the lower-class society. Meanwhile, Bob Cratchit had a sizable family that lived in a cramped house, and struggled to make ends meet. Scrooge treated Bob Cratchit, his employee, poorly, and said multiple times that the poor should be able to work their way out of poverty. He was incredibly disconnected from the lower classes, and this showed in his treatment of them. He was unaware of the struggles of the poor, and he was unwilling to learn until he was forced to. This is one very apparent example in fiction of the class disparities of Victorian