In a society where judgement and rank define us as humans, I was intrigued by Victor Hugo’s opposing proposal on his definition of class. In researching this idea, I ran across numerous causes for the placement of class in a nineteenth century society. In trying to intertwine them all, I stumbled, thus causing me to lose my original purpose of my research. However, after countless circles in place, I finally came across the primary purpose, the commencing factor for all the underlying causes. During this time of despair and anguish there was a luminosity or rather said: industrialization. This idea of industrialization brought about revision and adversity during this time period. Leading me to suspect that perhaps the definition of class deviates from the industrialization in nineteenth century France. …show more content…
As industrialization in France was a lengthy, yet fulfilling process, we can understand that specific characters, such as Jean Valjean and Fantine, relate to this in the way that they wanted a new beginning for themselves and endured it knowing that it would be a prolonged and burdensome process. In going through their development, they had their times of misery, however it does not define them as human beings. In order to do a thorough study of this topic, the defining factor of a human being, we have to start with the beginning. With ideas that branch out from one another, we can start with identifying industrialization during the nineteenth century, which then leads us to the jobs it provided, from there we can classify the placement your occupation provided you with, and conclude with Victor Hugo’s explanation of the defining element of a
There were huge gaps of isolation between the four different classes. It was as if each class was a separate nation, because there were far greater differences between the educated and the ignorant, as well as the rich and the poor (pg.37). There was the notion that none of the higher classes acknowledged or associated with lower ones. If one looks back, it is evident that people during the 19th century were devoted to religion and faith. Also, they believed that individuals were in their economic and social classes for specific reasons.
Thus, it was believed that conflicting classes existed because individuals developed an appropriate sense of class-consciousness (Buckler 740). This consciousness is very obvious when looking at the mindset of the middle-class owners. They were primarily focused on production and gave little thought to the environment of their workers. As a result, most early factories contained extremely unpleasant work conditions. Mills and factories were dangerously loud, and they were sweltering hot in the summer while poorly heated in the winter. Work days consisted of endlessly long hours and holidays were rarely granted. Furthermore, no laws or unions stood protecting the early urban proletariat workers. Despite these horrid conditions, the proletariat workers were desperate for jobs and were entirely dependant on their employers. Also, because of class-consciousness, they came to accept their positions in society as grueling factory workers. On top of terrible work conditions, the Proletariats’ living conditions were less than satisfactory due to the rapid population increase in urban cities. Until the Industrial Revolution, most of the continent’s population was rural. However, by mid-nineteenth century, half of all Europeans lived in cities and worked in the new industrial factories instead of farms. This transformation of Europe from a rural to urbanized society depressed the living standards of workers to horrendous levels. In doing so, however, it
Class, the system of ordering a society in which people are divided into sets based on perceived social or economic status. An economical structure where individuals are grouped in lower, middle and upper class. A social structure powered by gender roles, defining masculinity, manliness and femininity. Are we truly living the American Dream? Throughout this essay we will discuss the condition of the working class, women’s right to vote, taking a look at the rise of the Progressive Era and how it changed relationships between big businesses, government, and the working class.
Throughout The Communist Manifesto, Marx expresses the political, economic and social turmoil that were present in their society. During this time period, agriculture production was the main occupation. This resulted in a class struggle between the landowners and the serfs who labored the land. A new, manufacturing class emerged from this conflict called the bourgeoisie. Bourgeoisie changed the focus from agriculture to industrialization and commerce. Having “less dexterity and strength [that] is required in manual labor, [helps] modern industry develop” and prosper throughout society (Marx 131). This more proficient way to produce commodities helped the bourgeoisie control global and domestic trade. They eventually reached a point where they were inhibited by the feudal government and could not progress at the original rate they were going. Resulting from this, the French Revolution occurred and the bourgeoisie demolished the aristocracy that was originally present during this primitive time. Unfortunately, this did not resolve the primary
This image, displays the general hardships of workers in the industrialization, and the class disparities that came of it. The picture, shows/displays a factory. In this factory, the upper-middle class, the lower-middle class, and the working class are displayed properly. The highest class on this social order, is the “hierarchy” role in industrialization. The hierarchy, is known as the “higher class”, or the “rich” or the “factory owners.” This class during the industrial revolution, benefitted largely from the production of the worker’s. The hierarchy, in this mage, benefits
Not only did the bourgeoisie run the businesses, but also political matters. The power was shifting to the side of the owners, causing the gap between the proletariats and the bourgeoisie to grow bigger and bigger. The dominant force in Europe was actually creating a weapon without the realization of what they were doing. The labors, living conditions, and status of the proletariats created tension within the structure of the French society. The peasants even paid for the way of others, "it was on the peasants that all the abuses in the assessment
The purpose of this essay is to provide an explanation on why sociologists are interested in class. This assignment will define what class is and to what extent class matters. Other social divisions will be explored in this assignment to show how they intersect with class. The social divisions which intersect with class which will be discussed include economic and social inequalities, social mobility and identity. The beliefs from well-known theorists, Karl Marx and Max Weber who disagreed on the nature of class, will also be included to support the main points which are
The seventeenth and eighteenth centuries were full of evolving social and economic ideas. These views of the social structure of urban society came about through the development of ideas taken from the past revolutions. As the Industrial Revolution progressed through out the world, so did the gap between the class structures. The development of a capitalist society was a very favorable goal for the upper class. By using advanced methods of production introduced by the Industrial Revolution, they were able to earn a substantial surplus by ruling the middle class. Thus, maintaining their present class of life, while the middle class was exploited and degraded. At this time in history, social
Anthony Giddens (2006) defines class as “a large-scale group of people who share common economic resources, which strongly influence the type of lifestyle they are able to lead.” (pg 300). Karl Marx, a sociologist in the 19th
Most societies throughout history and the world have developed a notion of social class. It is refers to hierarchical distinctions between individuals or groups within society. How these social classes have been determined has been a common topic among social scientists throughout time. Two individuals who have headed this long standing debate are Karl Marx and Max Weber. In this paper I will be summarizing Marx and Weber’s theories on social class; how they are determined, their interests, and problems that may exist among groups. I will then provide my own critiques of their arguments.
In his novel, Les Miserables, Victor Hugo identifies the principle social evils of French society through the actions and qualities of his characters. By depicting each of his characters’ struggles through destitute and oppressed measures, Hugo is able to identify the social errors of 19th century France. The fact that characters such as Valjean, Javert, Fantine, and Cosette, attempt to rise above poverty and redeem themselves indicate that such inequalities did, and still do, exist to this day. Through the use of feminist ideals and the criminal injustice system, Hugo attacks the principle social evils that each of his characters face in Les Miserables.
Additionally, by studying class, sociologists allow themselves a greater understanding of the apparent ‘class conflict’ which is suggested by Marx. Although Marx’s understanding of class is outdated, due to its reliance on people’s relationship to the means of production being the main influence over their class, and its lack of consideration towards the social or cultural aspects of class (McLellan, 1986), his understanding of the conflicting interests of the classes bridges an important gap between the personal influence of class on people’s lives, and how this impacts society as a whole. Furthermore, sociologists study class because of its influence over society and its structure, as Marx said ‘the history of all hitherto existing society is a history of class struggles’ (Cannadine, 2000, p. 1). Thus, class must be studied in order to
This change signalled a shift in the methods of production from a smaller scale on close to self-sufficiency for peasants to peasants only producing commercial crops and goods such as grain and wine and using profits from this to buy what they needed and did not produce. In addition, in some way the peasants were aware of their class and their subordinate position even within their own Estate as a result of the creation of the cahiers de doléances and their subsequent politicisation. However, I do not believe this is equivalent to Marx’s class consciousness. This is because Marx’s idea of class consciousness revolved around the fact that the proletariat became aware of their exploitation and thus created a revolution. I do not believe that the peasants were aware of their exploitation or whether Marxian exploitation existed in France, therefore they did not posses a ‘class consciousness’, indicating that the Revolution cannot be understood as a ‘class
Karl Marx describes “Society as a whole [as being] more and more [split] up into two great hostile camps, into two great classes directly facing each other-bourgeoisie and proletariat” (Marx 124). As Marx made his distinction between upper class, bourgeoisie, and lower class, proletariats, it is important to keep in mind the societal structure at the time. To understand how classes were created and the disparity between the rich and poor, or, bourgeoisie and proletariat, it is necessary to examine how people came to be rich and poor. Exploring a time before money existed will help us to process and understand reasons why the binary between rich and poor exists and how it is reflective of low and high art distinctions.
During the 19th century, Europe underwent political and economic change resulting in a shift from craft production to factory work. This was a time known as the Industrial Revolution, in which class division and wage labor were the most foregrounded aspects of society (Poynton). Karl Marx’s theories during this time gave way to new perspectives and different ways of viewing oneself in class positions. Comparisons between social and political structures in the 19th century and the 21st century expose the similarities that have yet to be modified. Marxist theory proved to offer a framework for society to undergo evolutionary change that would put an end to the capitalist mode of production that developed during the Industrial Revolution in Europe (Connelley). Marxism greatly outlines the struggle between different classes and groups belonging to the political world and how this class struggle affects the means of production. Broadly speaking, capitalism is a structure of political inequality and once overcome will lead to communism, inevitably weakening the boundary between classes. Although beneficial for the workers who want to live as free men, the upper class will be placed on that same wavelength. The greater political structure will form into a realm that will abolish the exploitation and oppression of workers, thus placing power in the hands of those who do not benefit from the unequal distribution of wealth. It involves a combination of political and economic factors