Social Class and Wealth

Where it surfaces

• Jasper Treverton's Will

  John's eagerness for wealth and the contrast between the manor and the Sampsons' modest home highlight class distinctions.

• III: A Mysterious Visitor

  John Treverton's tour of the estate and Mr. Sampson's detailed account of the property's value highlight the centrality of wealth and land to social status and personal fortune.

• A Disappointed Lover

  Laura's modest income and independence are contrasted with the estate's wealth; Edward's hopes for fortune through marriage highlight class aspirations.

• VII: "A Little While Such Lips as Thine to Kiss"

  Eliza Sampson's anxiety about providing a suitable dinner for the heir of Hazlehurst highlights the social and economic divide between the gentry and the middle class.

• X: Engaged

  The marriage settlement discussion highlights the financial stakes of the union, with John's apparent indifference to wealth contrasting with Sampson's focus on income.

• No Trousseau

  The discussion of the trousseau and the quiet, unostentatious wedding reflect the social expectations of the gentry, while Edward's suspicion that John is motivated by the estate highlights class and wealth concerns.

• What the Diamonds Were Worth

  The contrast between the impoverished Chicots and the diamond merchant's world underscores class divisions and the value of material wealth.

• The Church Near Camelot

  Edward Clare's bitterness is tied to his lack of inheritance and social standing, contrasting with Laura's newfound happiness and wealth.

• XXI: Halcyon Days

  John's new role as squire, the planning of estate improvements, and the pressure to host society dinners reflect class obligations and the responsibilities of wealth.

• XXIV: “And Purple Light Shone Over All”

  Laura uses her wealth to provide for the poor, contrasting her benevolence with Celia's skepticism about gratitude and pauperism.

• XXVI: A Disinterested Parent

  The negotiation over financial support and the contrast between Stephen Malcolm's degraded state and John's wealth highlight class and economic tensions.

• George Gerard

  Celia's awareness of Gerard's poverty and her discomfort with it contrast with the Trevertons' prosperous lifestyle, highlighting class distinctions.

• George Gerard in Danger

  Gerard's poverty is contrasted with Celia's aspirations for a comfortable marriage; the chapter highlights the economic realities of genteel poverty.

• The Tenant from Beechampton

  The Vicar emphasizes the enormity of surrendering a fortune of fourteen thousand a year, contrasting Laura's willingness to live on a pittance with her husband.