Pride and Prejudice Group

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lucyylithium
lucyylithium
Student
High School - 11th Grade

In "Pride and Prejudice", does Sir William Lucas belong to the upper class?

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Posted by lucyylithium on Friday September 12, 2008 at 10:28 PM and tagged with characters, class, lucas, pride and prejudice.

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  1. lit24
    lit24 Teacher
    Doctorate

    eNotes Editor

    Sir William Lucas does not belong to the  'landed gentry' which is the upper class. Like Bingley and Mr.Gardiner he belongs to the 'trading class.' He is a trader, a merchant or a businessman.

    In the first paragraph of Chapter V, Jane Austen tells us that he "had been formerly in trade in Meryton where he had made a tolerable fortune." We also learn that he had been the Mayor of Meryton and that  the highlight of his mayoralty was that he had the good forune of  being 'presented' before the King of England at St.James's palace. On that occasion he praised and flattered the King with a flowery speech. The king immediately rewarded him with a knighthood, and from then on he came to be addressed as Sir William Lucas. The title of a knight is non-hereditary, that is, his son cannot be addressed as 'Sir' after Sir Williams' death. The knighthood carries with it no monetary benefits or privileges. It is merely decorative. However, it makes Sir William Lucas to feel very important, so he sells his business and leaves the "small market town of Meryton" and settles down with his family a mile away from Meryton in a house which he termed as 'Lucas Lodge.'

    In Jane Austen's time ownership of land was the single most important criterion which determined social status. The businessmen were rich but were considered to be socially inferior, that is why Sir William after he had become a knight became 'disgusted' with his business.

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    Posted by lit24 on Saturday September 13, 2008 at 6:27 AM