Persuasion Social Class
Naila Parker Sanchez
Persuasion Essay
Strassberger
In Jane Austen's novel Persuasion, the reader easily gains an understanding of the social classes and its structure during the time period surrounding 1814 to 1815. During this time period in Britain, social rank determined your position in society, your wealth, and how people respected you. The Industrial and Agricultural Revolution caused social class to change in Britain and threw off the balance of society. To add on to multiple changes, the Napoleonic war also brought new French ideals that changed society in Britain.
Prior to the French Revolution, common people and low class civilians had no say in government. In the 1740s, the lower class, also known as the “Third Estate” (Marx, 2014) …show more content…
Modern day society is very different from British society in the 19th century because it is more laid back and people are not so worried about financial status. One can marry outside of their social class and they will not be looked down on for doing so. In Persuasion, Sir Walter Elliot can not bear to think of going down a social rank in fear of embarrassment of being in debt. Today, if this sort of situation were to happen to any common person, society would most likely be accepting rather than disappointed. Although many people who are upper class citizens may come from wealthy families, it is very possible that one can work their way up to the top even if they started from a low social rank. Today, we still carry specific social class labels, yet they are not as strict as they were before. Today the majority of US citizens are part of the middle class and are highly respected citizens that have a say in everyday life. Even lower class citizens still have complete rights to vote and have say in society and …show more content…
(2014, April 03). Social Class and Revolution. Inscriptions Journal. Retrieved from http://www.inscriptionsjournal.org/social-class-and-revolution/
Thomas, P. (n.d.). Social Changes Before 1815. Fashion Era. Retrieved from http://www.fashion-era.com/social_changes_before_1815.htm
SparkNotes (n.d.). Europe 1815-1848. Spark Notes. Retrieved February 15, 2017, from http://www.sparknotes.com/history/european/1848/section2.rhtml
(n.d.). 19th Century England Social Hierarchy. Hierarchy Structure. Retrieved February 15, 2017, from http://www.hierarchystructure.com/19th-century-england-social-hierarchy/
Helmer, M. (n.d.). 19th Century England: Society, Social Classes, & Culture. Study. Retrieved February 15, 2017, from
Persuasion Essay
Strassberger
In Jane Austen's novel Persuasion, the reader easily gains an understanding of the social classes and its structure during the time period surrounding 1814 to 1815. During this time period in Britain, social rank determined your position in society, your wealth, and how people respected you. The Industrial and Agricultural Revolution caused social class to change in Britain and threw off the balance of society. To add on to multiple changes, the Napoleonic war also brought new French ideals that changed society in Britain.
Prior to the French Revolution, common people and low class civilians had no say in government. In the 1740s, the lower class, also known as the “Third Estate” (Marx, 2014) …show more content…
Modern day society is very different from British society in the 19th century because it is more laid back and people are not so worried about financial status. One can marry outside of their social class and they will not be looked down on for doing so. In Persuasion, Sir Walter Elliot can not bear to think of going down a social rank in fear of embarrassment of being in debt. Today, if this sort of situation were to happen to any common person, society would most likely be accepting rather than disappointed. Although many people who are upper class citizens may come from wealthy families, it is very possible that one can work their way up to the top even if they started from a low social rank. Today, we still carry specific social class labels, yet they are not as strict as they were before. Today the majority of US citizens are part of the middle class and are highly respected citizens that have a say in everyday life. Even lower class citizens still have complete rights to vote and have say in society and …show more content…
(2014, April 03). Social Class and Revolution. Inscriptions Journal. Retrieved from http://www.inscriptionsjournal.org/social-class-and-revolution/
Thomas, P. (n.d.). Social Changes Before 1815. Fashion Era. Retrieved from http://www.fashion-era.com/social_changes_before_1815.htm
SparkNotes (n.d.). Europe 1815-1848. Spark Notes. Retrieved February 15, 2017, from http://www.sparknotes.com/history/european/1848/section2.rhtml
(n.d.). 19th Century England Social Hierarchy. Hierarchy Structure. Retrieved February 15, 2017, from http://www.hierarchystructure.com/19th-century-england-social-hierarchy/
Helmer, M. (n.d.). 19th Century England: Society, Social Classes, & Culture. Study. Retrieved February 15, 2017, from