Social Class

“The aims of these three groups are entirely irreconcilable. The aim of the High is to remain where they are. The aim of the Middle is to change places with the High. The aim of the Low, when they have an aim...is to abolish all distinctions and create a society in which all men shall be equal.” (Page 277)

Since the beginning of human history, there has existed the concept of social class. Although the determining factors of class have changed over the years, the overall concept usually takes into consideration a person’s income and consequential wealth, education, and power. Social class is also usually dependent upon culture, and thus many countries, such as India with its caste system, still govern themselves based on their citizens’ social status. Despite the various differentiations that have occurred throughout history, class systems have invariably maintained the stereotypical “upper, middle, and lower” classes. The above description of social class is based on 1984’s society. Rather than being about occupation and income, as it is typically regarded, Orwell bases this class system on competition. While this excerpt hints that the society of the novel is somewhat similar to what we, as readers, are used to, it also shows how vastly different it is. Instead of having the upper and middle classes epitomize success, wealth or hard work, Orwell portrays these groups as being greedy (which, of course, relates to Big Brother’s mentality). Likewise, the lower class is portrayed as a group of revolutionaries instead of a group of poverty-stricken individuals.

"What Is Class." Class Action. Web. 11 May 2010. http://www.classism.org/WhatIsClass.php.