# Their Masters — Moribund Society and Anarchy character guide > Their Masters in Moribund Society and Anarchy by Jean Grave. **Role:** minor **Also known as:** their masters **First appearance:** 0001-moribund-society-and-anarchy ## Who they are A collective referent for the ruling class or authority figures in society. ## Relationships ### [Anarchy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moribund_society_and_anarchy_se/characters/anarchy) _rivalry_ Anarchy stands in direct opposition to Their Masters, representing a fundamental conflict between freedom and authority. ### [Unknown Narrator](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moribund_society_and_anarchy_se/characters/unknown_narrator) _psychological_ The Unknown Narrator observes Their Masters with a critical, analytical eye, often depicting them as oppressive figures. ### [The Workman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moribund_society_and_anarchy_se/characters/the_workman) _rivalry_ The Workman is in direct conflict with Their Masters, representing the exploited laborer versus the oppressive ruling class. ### [Dr. Manouvrier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moribund_society_and_anarchy_se/characters/dr_manouvrier) _professional_ Dr. Manouvrier may serve as an intellectual authority whose work is used by Their Masters to justify social control. ## In the story ### [I: The Anarchistic Idea and Its Development](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moribund_society_and_anarchy_se/chapters/i-the-anarchistic-idea-and-its-development) Referred to as the reigning exploiters whom the people drive away only to abandon themselves to new masters. ### [II: Individualism and Solidarity](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moribund_society_and_anarchy_se/chapters/ii-individualism-and-solidarity) Implied as the governing class that introduces agents to divide or mislead anarchists. ### [III: Too Abstract](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moribund_society_and_anarchy_se/chapters/iii-too-abstract) Referred to as the exploiters whose privileges workers are persuaded to defend; the chapter explains how changing masters does not end exploitation. ### [IV: Is Man Evil?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moribund_society_and_anarchy_se/chapters/iv-is-man-evil) Mentioned as the privileged class that exploits workers and uses deception to maintain power. ### [V: Property](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moribund_society_and_anarchy_se/chapters/v-property) Implied as the ruling class that assigns misery and privation to the masses. ### [VI: The Family](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moribund_society_and_anarchy_se/chapters/vi-the-family) Their Masters are referenced as the bourgeoisie who claim the family and property are unassailable, yet have admitted divorce as a corrective. ### [VII: Authority](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moribund_society_and_anarchy_se/chapters/vii-authority) The bourgeoisie who use universal suffrage to maintain control. ### [VIII: The Magistracy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moribund_society_and_anarchy_se/chapters/viii-the-magistracy) Referenced as the new masters who created the entity of 'law' to defend privilege after the bourgeoisie seized power. ### [IX: The Right to Punish and the Savants](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moribund_society_and_anarchy_se/chapters/ix-the-right-to-punish-and-the-savants) Implied as the governing class whose interests are masked by legal institutions. ### [X: The Influence of Environment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moribund_society_and_anarchy_se/chapters/x-the-influence-of-environment) Described as the bourgeoisie who exploit workers and maintain privilege through division and control. ### [XI: “The Country”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moribund_society_and_anarchy_se/chapters/xi-the-country) Identified as the bourgeoisie and ruling class who benefit from war and patriotism. ### [XII: The Patriotism of the Governing Classes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moribund_society_and_anarchy_se/chapters/xii-the-patriotism-of-the-governing-classes) The governing class whose patriotism is exposed as a cover for exploitation and war profiteering. ### [XIII: Militarism](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moribund_society_and_anarchy_se/chapters/xiii-militarism) Referred to as the bourgeoisie who force everyone under their flags, revealing the infamies hidden behind military tinsel. ### [Colonization](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moribund_society_and_anarchy_se/chapters/xiv-colonization) The ruling classes are depicted as the beneficiaries of colonization, using it to secure markets, exploit peoples, and maintain armies. ### [XV: There Are No Inferior Races](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moribund_society_and_anarchy_se/chapters/xv-there-are-no-inferior-races) Implied as the capitalist and political class who use race inferiority arguments to justify exploitation. ### [XVI: Why We Are Revolutionists](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moribund_society_and_anarchy_se/chapters/xvi-why-we-are-revolutionists) Implied as the exploiting class that maintains power through army, police, and magistrates. ### [XVII: As to What Means Follow from the Principles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moribund_society_and_anarchy_se/chapters/xvii-as-to-what-means-follow-from-the-principles) Referenced as those who would become masters if anarchists sought power through elections or delegated authority. ### [Revolution and Anarchy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moribund_society_and_anarchy_se/chapters/xviii-revolution-and-anarchy) Implied as the ruling class whose injustices create malcontents and rebels, contributing to the revolutionary situation. ### [XIX: Efficacy of Reforms](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moribund_society_and_anarchy_se/chapters/xix-efficacy-of-reforms) Their Masters represent the exploiting class that lives at the expense of the workers and opposes any real reform. ### [XX: The Experimental Method](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moribund_society_and_anarchy_se/chapters/xx-the-experimental-method) Referenced as the class that exploits new inventions and reforms for its own benefit, worsening the condition of the workers. ### [XXI: What Then?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moribund_society_and_anarchy_se/chapters/xxi-what-then) Implied as the governing classes who reject reforms and oppose revolution. ### [Anarchism and Its Practicability](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moribund_society_and_anarchy_se/chapters/xxii-anarchism-and-its-practicability) Implied as the owning class that exploits workers and refuses to give up anything. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moribund_society_and_anarchy_se/characters/their_masters - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moribund_society_and_anarchy_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moribund_society_and_anarchy_se/characters