What do you think Hardy thought about the class system in England? Refer to at least two storie that you have read.

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Mike Richards

What do you think Hardy thought about the class system in England, refer to at least two stories!

        Thomas Hardy has shown interest in the Social Class system in a large number of his stories and regularly makes comment on this issue.

At his time of writing the country of England is split into two definite bands of wealth. The richer sides of the spectrum are usually employers who either own land or exploit their workers to make themselves richer. Small proportions of the population occupy this wealth and are often referred to as the upper class. The lower classes usually work for the upper class for a low wage. It proves unusual for these two classes to spend time together as it is often believed that the upper class ‘look down’ upon the other, less fortunate people:

“In those days unequal marriages regarded rather as a violation of the laws of nature than as a mere infringement of convention.”

        The main topic of discussion in ‘The Sons Veto’ is class. There is a perfect example of how people allow the class system to affect them. Mr Twycott is aware that if he weds the domestic servant, Sophy that he would become ostracised from the social elite that he would have associated with before:

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“Mr Twycott knew perfectly well that he had committed social suicide by this step.”

I believe that Hardy feels that people are shallow to the extent that they will remove people from their social circle because of who they are wed to.

        Upon reading Hardy’s stories it always feels as if the main problem is the upper class ‘looking down’ on the lower class. As is illustrated, Mr Twycott, although he weds Sophy still worries about the effect this will have on his position with friends.

        Class can even change families’ views of each other. ...

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