Social Class in English Literature

Running head: SOCIAL CLASS
Social Class
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1SOCIAL CLASS
Division of social class is one of the most noticeable factor in English literature. In the
male dominated social context, the women had been presented prominently by the author of
every ages. The notion of social class is one of the most common themes in English literature.
This is the basically the medium of dividing people (Chaucer and Ellis 2014). Present paper will
shade light on the way, through which social class had become an emerging factor in English
literature. Instances will be given from literary pieces like Canterbury tales by Chaucer, Hamlet
by Shakespeare and Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen in order to expand the argument.
Dividing people in accordance with social class is the most prominent concept in English
literature. The power of people is also being determined by social class. From the early 13 th
century, social class had remained a significant factor in English literature. The very notion of
social class is extremely evident in Canterbury tales by Chaucer. The societal hierarchy can be
seen in this literary piece. It is quite evident in Canterbury tales that, Chaucer was extremely
conscious about the class system. In this text, the true picture of British society had been
portrayed by Chaucer with utmost efficiency. The quote “A KNIGHT there was and that a
worthy man/ That from the time that he first began/ To riden out, he loved chivalry, / Truth
and honóur, freedom and courtesy” ((Chaucer and Ellis 2014) from Canterbury tales is needed
to be considered in this context, in which the notion of social class is extremely evident. Through
this quote, Chaucer had tried to show how the power of people is also being determined by social
class. Here, the knight belongs from highest social standing and bestowed with supreme power in
the society. According to Chaucer, the knight basically belonged from ruling class, who with the
assistance of his courage and courtesy had achieved such position in the society. The life style of
fashionable ladies of the society of that time had also been highlighted in the quote “There was
also a nun, a PRIORESS, /That of her smiling was full simple and coy. / Her greatest oath