Lefining The18th Century British Middle Class

Ann Radcliffe was one of the most important Gothic novelists in the history of the18th century British literature. Her gothic novels have been held in high esteem by many and her writing style has exerted great influence on later writers. In1794, Radcliffe’s masterpiece The Mysteries of Udolpho was published which proved a sensation in the literati circle as well as in the book market, being one of the best sold books.With the ongoing expansion of overseas colonialism and the booming domestic capitalist industry, the eighteenth century witnessed the rise of the so-called "middling class" in Britain. The "middling class", i.e. the middle class, on one hand, had accumulated a large amount of wealth, whose economic influence began to have impact on the entire social culture; on the other hand, they were still in need of a clear definition of identity and cultural recognition. Being a member of the middle class, Ann Radcliffe was no stranger to the anxieties and unease this class felt. Her work The Mysteries of Udolpho shows how eagerly the middle class wishes to improve their social status by the betterment of their cultural accomplishment. Their elegant taste and virtues help to draw a valid cultural distinction between the middle class and other classes, by means of which the cultural legitimacy of the middle class has been thus established.This thesis focuses on how the middle class members in The Mysteries of Udolpho distinguish themselves from others with their elegant taste and virtues as to maintain their own social status and establish its cultural legitimacy. It consists of five parts.The part of introduction gives a very brief account of Radcliffe’s life and her works. Then it makes a very general survey of the domestic and international research done on Ann Radcliffe. And the structure of this thesis is given.The first chapter introduces the social and cultural background of the18th century Britain, gives definitions of the middle class and taste, and examines the reasons for the rise of the middle class and the dilemma the middle class faces.The second chapter focuses on how the middle class members establish their own identity through their elegant taste. Radcliffe’s middle class are shown to own an elegant taste. They prefer a simple and peaceful living, with an avid interest in fine arts and strong ability to appreciate arts. They admire the sublimity of nature and appreciate the beauty of nature. In contrast, the upper class members indulge themselves in sensual pleasures and vigorously display their dissolute taste in life.The third chapter analyzes the virtues of the middle class. In the novel, the middle class members are kind, independent, self-controlled and thrifty. By way of their virtues, they achieve their current social position and ensure their cultural legitimacy.The fifth part is the conclusion of this thesis. It provides an overview of the thesis’content and reiterates its points of view. In this novel Radcliffe creates the middle class as elegant and virtuous in order to endow them with cultural significance. With their cultural influence, the middle class builds up an image of social elite and thus relieves themselves of the anxieties about their newly-gained social prominence.