CLASS DISTINCTION AND PREJUDICE

The first 200 words of this essay...

CLASS DISTINCTION AND PREJUDICE

In

GOD OF SMALL THINGS AND PERSUASION

Class distinction and prejudice in 'The God of Small Things' and 'Persuasion' are brought about by social, political and economical developments in the periods the novels are set. These developments arise through "war", "Revolution", caste and class bias. Firstly, in 'Persuasion' the behaviour of Anne's family is so vile that their bigoted opinions affect the moral, spiritual and cultural lives of their victims. From the onset we become aware that It is either the family or people with the power to "persuade" who create divisions within the classes and sexes. Austen's 'Persuasion' exposes the inequalities in Britain that existed. In France the same divisions prompted the French Revolution of 1789. The British Government, taking the events in France on board decided to initiate political and social policies before French history repeated itself in Britain. These policies challenged the status of upper class families, like the Elliots, as the location of wealth and power in British society was changing due to the industrial revolution and "Napoleonic" wars. Anne's father, Sir Walter fears losing control over what he has acquired or inherited. Sir Walter dismisses