# Class Mobility and Ambition in The Maid of Sker

> Theme guide for The Maid of Sker by R. D. Blackmore.

Davy's constant striving for status, money, and recognition, along with Bardie's potential rise from castaway to heiress, illustrate the possibilities and limits of social climbing in a stratified society.

## Where it surfaces

- [Hunger Drives Him A-Fishing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/ii-hunger-drives-him-a-fishing): Davy's fall from able-bodied seaman to a poor fisherman highlights themes of economic struggle and the need to work to survive.
- [How to Sell Fish](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xii-how-to-sell-fish): Davy's determination to sell his fish at a good price and his pride in his salesmanship reflect his ambition to improve his station through cleverness and hard work.
- [Confidential Intercourse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xx-confidential-intercourse): Bardie's recitation of a polite greeting and her awareness of social rank hint at her upper-class background.
- [Sound Investments](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xxiv-sound-investments): Davy's establishment of a fishing partnership for the children's money reflects his ambition to improve their fortunes through investment and industry.
- [A Visit to a Parson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xxix-a-visit-to-a-parson): Davy's willingness to take on the spying job for money reflects his ambition and desire to improve his station, even if it involves morally questionable work.
- [The Polite Ferryman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xxxv-the-polite-ferryman): Davy's entrepreneurial spirit in setting up a ferry and his aspirations for a better life for Bunny.
- [Under Fairer Auspices](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xxxvi-under-fairer-auspices): Davy's interaction with Miss Carey shows his ambition to improve his station through service and integrity, while she offers him a salary and a gun.
- [Notice to Quit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xxxix-notice-to-quit): Davy's dreams of owning a public house and training Bunny as a barmaid reflect his aspirations for upward mobility, which are dashed by the failure of his ferry business.
- [XLI: The Right Man in the Right Place](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xli-the-right-man-in-the-right-place): Davy's rise from fisherman to first gunnery instructor, driven by merit and ambition.
- [The Little Maid, and the Midshipman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xlii-the-little-maid-and-the-midshipman): Rodney's ambition to become a midshipman and Davy's role as an instructor show how naval service offered social advancement.
- [XLIII: A Fine Price for Bardie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xliii-a-fine-price-for-bardie): Hezekiah's scheme to pass Bardie off as a wealthy heiress highlights the desire for social and financial advancement through deception.
- [Provides for Education](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xliv-provides-for-education): Davy's rise in the Royal Navy and his efforts to secure a good education for the children reflect aspirations for social advancement.
- [XLV: Introduces a Real Hero](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xlv-introduces-a-real-hero): Davy's rise from a common seaman to a position of responsibility, and his observations on Nelson's leadership and ambition.
- [A Brave Man Runs Away](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/l-a-brave-man-runs-away): Davy's exaggerated claims of landownership and patronage, and the servants' perception of him as a man of substance, reflect themes of social aspiration and the fluidity of class identity.
- [Triple Education](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/li-triple-education): Bardie's education is seen as necessary because of her 'birth and nature,' suggesting that learning can elevate her station despite her lack of family.
- [Beating Up for the Navy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/liii-beating-up-for-the-navy): Davy rises from a fisherman to Master aboard a seventy-four, entrusted with a key recruiting mission, reflecting his social ascent through naval service.
- [Taming of the Savages](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/liv-taming-of-the-savages): The wild boy Harry is groomed and elevated from a savage state to a potential midshipman, illustrating themes of social transformation and ambition.
- [LVIII: More Haste, Less Speed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/lviii-more-haste-less-speed): Davy's decision to decline a lieutenant's commission due to age and pride, and his hope for a pecuniary reward, illustrates the tensions of class and ambition in the navy.
- [In a Rocky Bower](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/lix-in-a-rocky-bower): Bardie's noble birth is hinted at but she wishes she were a poor man's child; Rodney's proposal hinges on family approval, reflecting class barriers.
- [LXII: A Rash Young Captain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/lxii-a-rash-young-captain): Harry Savage's rise from a shamefully treated young man to a lieutenant under Nelson exemplifies ambition and merit.
- [Polly at Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/lxiii-polly-at-home): Polly's rise from servant to independent landowner and Davy's strategic courtship reflect themes of social advancement.

## Links

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