ClassThis book traces the phenomenon of class from the medieval to the postmodern period, uniquely examining its relevance to literary and cultural analysis. Drawing on historical, sociological and literary writings, Gary Day: * gives an account of class at different historical moments * shows the role of class in literary constructions of the social * examines the complex relations between 'class' and 'culture' * focuses attention on the role of class in constructions of 'the literary' and 'the canon' * employs a revived and revised notion of class to critique recent theoretical movements |
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abstract argues aristocratic bourgeois bourgeoisie Britain Cannadine 1998 capitalism capitalist character Chartist cited claims class consciousness commodities concept of class conflict contrast criticism cultural materialists distinction division economic eighteenth century emphasis England English estates example exchange relation exploitation expression feudalism fiction groups Harmondsworth hence heroic couplet hierarchy Hoggart Howards End human ibid idea identity ideology idiom individual industrial interests labour power language literary literature London Marx and Engels Marx's Marxist mass medieval ment middle class modernist moral nature nineteenth century nobility Norman yoke novel organisation Penguin period philanthropists Piers the Ploughman plain style poet poetry political poor popular Post-structuralism poverty problem proletariat Ragged Trousered Philanthropists relationship representation Restoration comedy Revolution Routledge seen sense social order socialist society status structure surplus value term class Thompson tion traditional Tressell Tressell's ture University Press Vicinus wages words workers working-class culture