Plum Bun · Question
How does Plum Bun develop the theme of Social Class and Ambition?
Answer
Plum Bun by Jessie Redmon Fauset develops Social Class and Ambition across the chapters the companion marks for this theme.
The contrast between the modest, satisfied ambitions of Angela's parents on Opal Street and Angela's restless desire for wealth, luxury, and a broader, more glamorous life, which drives her actions.
The nursery rhyme's reference to 'market' and 'plum bun' subtly evokes themes of commerce, desire, and the pursuit of social or material gain.
Mattie's past as a domestic worker and her desire for a better life, as well as her observations about the ease of life with a white skin, highlight class and ambition.
Virginia's appointment and the family's improved financial situation allow for greater comfort and leisure, reflecting upward mobility.
Evidence in the book
- Epigraph
The nursery rhyme's reference to 'market' and 'plum bun' subtly evokes themes of commerce, desire, and the pursuit of social or material gain.
- III
Mattie's past as a domestic worker and her desire for a better life, as well as her observations about the ease of life with a white skin, highlight class and ambition.
- V
Virginia's appointment and the family's improved financial situation allow for greater comfort and leisure, reflecting upward mobility.
- Market
The market setting highlights economic activity and social stratification, reflecting characters' aspirations and daily realities.
- II
Angela's move to a more expensive apartment and her confidence in her affairs reflect her ambition and desire to rise socially, even as she navigates the bohemian world of artists.
- III
Angela contrasts the serious, survival-focused discussions of her Philadelphia community with the detached intellectualism of Martha's circle, and worries about her dwindling finances.
- V
Angela's acceptance of Roger's proposal is driven by her desire for wealth, protection, and social status, as she envisions a future free from financial worries and imagines herself as powerful like Cleopatra.
- I
Angela considers using Roger's desire for her as leverage for marriage, reflecting her ambition and class consciousness.
