Social Classes

If it weren’t for social classes, the central drama of Austen’s novel would not be possible because they all center on these distinctions. For example, the Bennets are decidedly middle class, something of which they are frequently reminded by the upper class Bingleys. Even Mr. Collins – a man of the cloth to whom classes should have no meaning (because religion teaches that God loves the poor and the rich alike) – is obsessed with social status. This is shown with his singular focus on Lady Catherine and pleasing her. Without classes, there would have been no reason for anyone to object to the union between Darcy and Elizabeth, because he would not be “above her.”