Social class

A person's position within society, associated with factors such as wealth, occupation, education and family background.

A person’s position within a society’s hierarchy, influenced by factors such as occupation, wealth, family background and education.

Social class concerns someone’s position in society; snobbery means judging people’s worth by that position. These ideas connect with ambition, but they are not identical. Pip’s ambition concerns what he wants to become; his snobbery concerns how he judges and treats other people.

A system of social groupings shaped by factors such as family background, occupation, education, wealth and inherited status.

Part (a): analyse the printed extract’s language, form and structure. Connect precise words, narrative viewpoint and contrasts to how Brontë presents social class.

Extract-based question on social class: analyse the printed passage closely, then develop links to relevant moments elsewhere in the novel. An answer confined to the extract cannot exceed Level 3; only brief wider-text reference cannot exceed Level 4.

Discursive question — ‘Brontë challenges the belief that social class determines a person’s worth.’ How far do you agree? Develop at least two moments in detail. One moment limits the answer to Level 3; only brief reference to a second limits it to Level 4.

A division within society connected to occupation, wealth and family background, which can influence a person’s status and opportunities.

A division of society based on factors such as occupation, wealth, family background and social status.

In An Inspector Calls, Priestley explores how social class affects whose wishes matter, whose reputation is protected and whose life can be disrupted. The Birlings and Gerald enjoy comfort and influence; Eva Smith depends on employment and other people’s decisions for her survival. Their encounters expose the unequal power behind apparently ordinary activities: running a business, shopping, forming relationships and administering charity.

A person’s position in a society’s hierarchy, influenced by family background, occupation, education, wealth and social connections.

A person’s position in a social hierarchy, influenced by factors such as wealth, occupation, family background and education.

A social grouping shaped by factors such as occupation, wealth, family background and status.

A division within society associated with factors such as occupation, wealth, education and family background.

A person’s position within a social hierarchy, shaped by factors such as wealth, occupation, family background and status.

In An Inspector Calls, social class shapes who can give orders, who can secure employment and whose account of events is believed. The Birlings enjoy wealth, servants and influential connections. Eva Smith depends on wages and, later, help from people with greater power.

A person’s position within society in relation to factors such as wealth, occupation and access to opportunities.

A social grouping associated with a person’s wealth, occupation, family background and position in society.

A person’s position in a social hierarchy, shaped by factors such as family background, wealth, occupation and education.

A division of society associated with differences in wealth, occupation, family background and social status.

In An Inspector Calls, Priestley explores how social class gives some people control over other people’s lives. Social class involves wealth and occupation, but also family background, manners and connections. Privilege means the advantages that come with a particular social position.

A person’s position within a society organised by differences such as wealth, occupation and family background.

A division in society associated with wealth, occupation, property and inherited status.

A hierarchy that groups people by factors such as family background, occupation, education, wealth and social status.

Definition

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AQA GCSE English Literature · 8702

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Edexcel GCSE English Literature · 1ET0

OCR GCSE English Literature · J352

Eduqas GCSE English Literature · C720