# Class and Social Mobility in Robbery Under Arms

> Theme guide for Robbery Under Arms by Rolf Boldrewood.

The book examines class distinctions in colonial Australia, with characters like Starlight (a fallen gentleman) and the Marstons (bush natives) navigating a society where wealth and status can be gained or lost through crime or luck.

## Where it surfaces

- [Terrible Hollow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/v): Father's admiration for Starlight as a 'gentleman' despite his criminal life reflects the colonial Australian fascination with class and the perceived natural superiority of the educated elite.
- [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/vii): Dick contrasts the struggles of poor farmers with the resources of wealthy squatters, highlighting class inequality in the colony.
- [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/viii): Mr. Falkland represents the possibility of improvement through hard work, but Dick is skeptical that the upper class will share opportunities.
- [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/ix): The encounter between Miss Falkland, a wealthy landowner's daughter, and Jim Marston, a shearer, highlights class boundaries and moments of cross-class kindness.
- [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xii): Starlight's ability to pass as a wealthy squatter and dine at Government House illustrates the fluidity of social class in colonial Australia, where money and performance could mask a criminal past.
- [Homecoming and Family Tension](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xiv): George Storefield's rise from humble beginnings contrasts with the Marstons' stagnation, highlighting themes of hard work versus outlawry.
- [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xv): George's rise from humble beginnings to prosperous farmer contrasts with the Marstons' descent into outlawry.
- [The Trial and Sentencing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xviii): The defense criticizes wealthy squatters for monopolizing land and creating temptation for the poor, highlighting class tensions.
- [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xxiv): Dick and Jim regret missing the chance to make honest money on the goldfields, contrasting their outlaw life with the opportunities available to others.
- [XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xxvi): George Storefield's rise from humble beginnings to wealth contrasts with the Marston family's decline, highlighting class divisions and the possibility of upward mobility through hard work.
- [The Ballabri Bank Robbery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xxvii): The gold rush disrupts social norms, allowing bushrangers and strangers to move freely, and the gang's accumulated wealth tempts them with the possibility of a new life abroad.
- [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xxviii): The diggings offer a leveling ground where outlaws and English lords mix freely, and wealth from gold allows social fluidity.
- [Jim's Marriage and the New Inspector](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xxx): George Storefield's rise from digger to respected businessman, contrasted with the rigid social hierarchy of the goldfield.
- [XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xxxi): Dick reflects on the mix of honest miners and criminal scum on the goldfields, and his own desire to escape his past and start anew with Gracey.
- [XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xxxiv): Starlight's ability to pass as a gentleman miner among the upper-class Clifford and Hastings highlights the fluidity of social identity on the goldfields.
- [XLII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xlii): George Storefield's rise from humble beginnings to magistrate and wealthy landowner contrasts with the Marstons' decline, underscoring class divisions.
- [Chapter XLIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xliv): Illiteracy is highlighted as a barrier that drives men like Dad Marston to drink and despair.
- [XLVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xlvii): The ball and wedding highlight class distinctions, with Starlight's disguise allowing him to move among the elite, while characters like Bella Barnes marry for social advancement.
- [XLVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xlviii): Starlight's ability to pass as a gentleman and mingle with high society at the races and ball illustrates the fluidity of class boundaries in colonial Australia.
- [LI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/li): George Storefield's rise to wealth contrasts with the outlaws' stagnant situation, and his offer of a new start highlights the possibility of social redemption.
- [LII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/lii): George Storefield's rise from a cottage to a stone mansion exemplifies upward mobility through hard work and shrewd investment.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/themes/class_and_social_mobility
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/themes