Social Stratification
Social stratification is a recurring theme in many great works ofliterature. Social stratification can be defined as a "hierarchicalranking of groups (that is) based on the unequal distribution of societalresources and positions" (The University of Texas at Dallas). Throughouthistory, social stratification has influenced the class system of America,the caste system of India, and the feudal system of Europe. Today, socialstratification has a very real influence in America and Europe. Eventoday, Americans are often divided by income, race, gender, and social While this definition is undoubtedly complete and correct, it doeslittle to tell us about the real, human consequences of socialstratification. It is through an understanding of the impact of socialstratification on a real human life that makes us understand the humancosts. For example, the vivid descriptions of racism and scorn faced byEudora Welty's protagonist in A Worn Path give us an understanding of theemotional consequences of racism on a single human life. This descriptionhas a much more powerful impact on our understanding of socialstratification than a dry phrase like, 'social stratification i
Perhaps the most important realization that can be taken fromRoman Fever is that social stratification, while an ongoing feature ofhuman interaction, is at the same time transient and arbitrary. The Puritan ideals of piety and lack of sin are thebackbones of hierarchy within this religious community. Even the most pious of religious leaders, community elders, andGoodman Brown's wife, Faith, are sometimes tempted and fallen. The Prince's exclusion of the masses can be seenas symbolic of the tendency of the wealthy and elite to keep the wealthy tokeep the poor subjugated and inferior. As such, sexualjealousy becomes intertwined with social status and wealth within thissociety. Similarly, The Masque of the Red Death shows that socialstratification ultimately protects the elite from death and suffering. Dee rejects the oppression of her ancestry (in embracing herproud African heritage), but is blind to the fact that the antiques (suchas an old butter churner and the quilt) that she covets were actuallycreated out of financial need as a result of the oppression that shedistains. Ultimately, the Necklace reveals some of the dangers inherent insocial stratification. A Worn Path Eudora Welty's A Worn Path describes social stratification that isbased both upon age and race. As such, ideas of gender and wealth are intertwined as a basis ofsocial stratification within Roman Fever. She sees Dee as almost a movie star, and a stranger. Dee is college educated, and her mothermuses that Dee has become separate and distinct, largely on this basis. Social stratification is clearly represented in The Masque of the RedDeath, as Prince Prospero physically separates the "chosen" or social elitefrom the horrors that befall the masses.
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