MovieChat Forums > 49 Up (2005) Discussion > Maybe I'm not understanding the 'class s...

Maybe I'm not understanding the 'class system'

posted 14 years ago by quirkygamer
1 reply | jump to latest

Whenever I read summaries about the series, Charles is always referred to as "middle class" along with Bruce.

Charles went to the same prep school as John and Andrew, two boys always defined as wealthy. What distinguishes Charles as being middle class if he had a similar boarding school upbringing?

The same logic applies to Bruce, always described as middle class. He too was shown at prep school in "Seven Up!" and appeared to be attending an expensive boarding school at 14.

As an American, it would appear that all four of these boys had the same advantages. I'm not sure what I'm missing. Is the class system even relevant today, or does one have far more advantages in the UK now?

[–] Adie 14 years ago

At the risk of presenting myself as an expert on class (I'm not!), "Class" in this context is about background, rather than the school you go to or how much money your family has. Middle-class (or even working class) children might get the opportunities to attend public (i.e. non-state) schools, but they would still be looked down on as "oiks" by the more "privileged" children. Doctors' families (for instance) would mostly be seen as middle-class, despite being relatively wealthy, and some self-made millionaires might still insist on describing themselves as working class!

The context of "Class" here is about family history and connections, "the old school tie", "the old boy network", the absolutely certain knowledge that (in Andrew's case for instance) his places at Broadstairs, Charterhouse and Trinity Hall Cambridge had all been arranged by the time he was 7 years old, maybe even (just guessing) his first solicitor's job, too... this is why notions of "privilege" persist beyond money & education, even as the class system appears to be ever-dismantling...

Hope that helps!