Plum Bun · Theme
Social Class and Ambition
How Plum Bun develops Social Class and Ambition.
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.
Where it surfaces
- 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.
- III
Angela's ambition as an artist and her desire for independence clash with Roger's reliance on his father's wealth. Rachel's dreams of a poor but happy marriage also illustrate class and ambition dynamics.
- V
Angela's fall from financial security and her struggle to maintain her lifestyle highlight the intersection of class, ambition, and survival in New York.
- III
Angela is caught between the allure of wealthy society and her own economic limitations; she dreams of climbing with Anthony but fears the impermanence of relationships based on generosity.
- Market Is Done
The market setting highlights social stratification and the aspirations of characters as they navigate public spaces.