Class and Poverty

Class and Poverty appears as a literary theme in 5 works in the BetterReads curated set. Each book develops the idea in its own plot, voice, and historical moment — the links below open the book-scoped theme guide beside the text.

The Bundrens' rural poverty is contrasted with town life, as seen in Cora's cake-baking venture, Anse's obsession with getting false teeth, and the family's dependence on neighbors and small sums of money.

The stories explore the struggles of the poor and working class, highlighting social hierarchies, economic hardship, and the shame of poverty, as in the fisherman's village, the shoemaker's fall, and the plight of the farmer's daughter in court.

The struggles of the rural poor and tinkers are central, with characters like Sarah and Michael Byrne bargaining for marriage fees, and the Tramp wandering without shelter, highlighting economic hardship and social marginalization.

Economic hardship is evident in characters like Mrs. Roberts, who begs for food, and the contrast between domestic servants, storekeepers, and laborers highlights class divisions within the Black community.

The book contrasts the wealth and privilege of the English gentry with the poverty of Venetian lace-makers and the struggles of the Marchant family, highlighting how economic circumstances shape characters' choices and social standing.