How does Fred Gross Stories develop the theme of Social Status and Class Anxiety?

Fred Gross Stories by Ring Lardner develops Social Status and Class Anxiety across the chapters the companion marks for this theme.

Fred and Grace are deeply concerned with their social standing in their new community. They join a golf club, print calling cards with Fred's job title, and try to make friends with the 'right people,' while simultaneously feeling snubbed by neighbors like the Hamiltons and Carpenters, leading to petty feuds and attempts to one-up each other.

Grace's social calls and the mix-up with Fred's detective cards highlight anxieties about social standing and how they are perceived by neighbors.

Fred's concern about being snubbed by the Hamiltons and Carpenters highlights the anxiety over social standing in the community.

Fred's observations about Mrs. Martin's dress and the social dynamics of the neighborhood reflect class consciousness.