The Garden Party(Katherine Mansfield): The Class Distinction in Western Society in the 20th Century

In a 1922 short story, The Garden Party, the protagonist Laura comments “the class distinction” when she reflects on the reason why she cannot become a friend with the guy who is setting up the marquee. She thinks that’s because of “the absurd class distinctions.” Class distinction means a characteristic that is observed to differ based on social class. Here, the class distinction in western society in the 20th century was based on the disparity in economic status between the bourgeoisie and the working class.

 

The first difference between the bourgeoisie (represented by Laura) and the working class (represented by the working guy) was whether they had the means of production, such as capital, land or machine. The bourgeoisie had means of production while the working class did not, which made inequality between them. More specifically, it was necessary for the working class to contract labor with the bourgeoisie because the working class did not have any means of production except for workforce. As a result, the bourgeoisie held a dominant position on a labor contract, with relationship between subordinates and superiors formed, while the working class was vulnerable to exploitation from the bourgeoisie. The unequal relationship between the bourgeoisie and the working class can be found in The Garden Party, when it describes the way Jose orders to her servants.

 

Also, The economic inequality led to class distinction in terms of social status. The bourgeoisie received the education of high quality with inherited wealth, resulting in the circulation that their kids inherited the high social status and so did the kids’ kids. The educational divide hindered class mobility between each class and caused the bourgeoisie’s contempt for the working class as the bourgeoisie thought the working class as intellectually inferior beings. A series of the contempt can be also found in the short story, when Laura’s mother calls the working class as “people of that class” and “people like that” and deems them one-dimensional.

 

In short, disparity in economic status between the bourgeoisie and the working class led to the class distinction. The upper study on the class distinction that economic disparity led to social discrimination to the working class in 1900s has the implication on the current society. Today, income inequality and polarization continues to deepen in almost all countries. So do es the conflict between each of classes. The case in the 20th century tells the current society that people are vulnerable to the class distinction under the economic disparity. 

 

November 1, 2022

© Lee Sihu (keepedia06@gmail.com)