# Class and Social Division in Mr. Standfast

> Theme guide for Mr. Standfast by John Buchan.

The setting of Biggleswick and the portrayal of intellectuals, pacifists, and working-class characters (like Andrew Amos) reveal tensions between different social groups, with the narrative often favoring practical, 'sound' common sense over abstract theorizing.

## Where it surfaces

- [The Village Named Morality](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_standfast_se/chapters/part-i-ii-the-village-named-morality): The pacifists are portrayed as detached intellectuals, contrasting with the soldiers 'sweating blood' at the front, highlighting a social rift.
- [The Reflections of a Cured Dyspeptic](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_standfast_se/chapters/part-i-iii-the-reflections-of-a-cured-dyspeptic): Blenkiron's undercover work among workers and the discussion of class war highlight social divisions in wartime Britain.
- [IV: Andrew Amos](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_standfast_se/chapters/part-i-iv-andrew-amos): The political meeting highlights class tensions, with the speaker attacking the rich, the middle classes, and army officers, leading to violent conflict with soldiers.
- [VI: The Skirts of the Coolin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_standfast_se/chapters/part-i-vi-the-skirts-of-the-coolin): The fisherman's lament over historical land clearances highlights the deep social and economic divides between lairds and crofters.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_standfast_se/themes/class_and_social_division
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_standfast_se/themes