Ulrich von Gradwitz is the upper-class character in this story. The "von" in his name indicates he is part of the aristocracy. Georg Znaeym is the character of more modest means.

Some word choices that allude to Ulrich's higher class status are as follows: He speaks of his "men," meaning the men in his employ. Later, as they begin to reconcile, Georg says to Ulrich:

I would come and feast on some high day at your castle

Words that give evidence of Georg's lower class status include "petty landowners:" by calling the Znaeym family "petty" or small landowners, Ulrich is denigrating them and showing he believes himself superior for owning more land. Ulrich also refers to Georg as a "game-snatcher and raider," as well as a "poacher" and "forest-thief," all of which suggest that Ulrich treats Georg and his claim to the disputed land with contempt. He treats Georg, at least at first, as no more than a lower-class poser.