The Moonstone Research Paper

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Within his novel The Moonstone, Wilkie Collins conveys the class distinctions present in Victorian England through depicting the search for a lost treasure.While offering the perspectives of all of the characters associated with the loss of the moonstone itself, Collins carefully portrays the hierarchies present in his culture, and the ways that they shape the perceptions and roles of people in different classes. Through his depictions of servants, Collins both reinforces and challenges the traditional hierarchies that were pervasive within Victorian culture. An essential theme that Collins uses to reinforce the Victorian conception of servants, obedience serves as an important means to depict the ideal work ethics that servants are expected …show more content…
Indicating that Betteredge is the most respected servant, Collins notes that he has access to the bell through his saying, “My lady desired me to ring the bell, and order the washing-book” (insert pg #). While seemingly insignificant, this scene elevates Betteredge above the other servants as he is the only one who is permitted to use this paradigm of status. That Betteredge is still submitting to Miss Verinder as he elevates himself over the other servants denotes their subordinate status, since Betteredge’s means of achieving a higher standard involve obeying the command of his master. To further complement this notion of subordinate superiority, Betteredge claims, “But, in my position in the household, waiting at dinner (except on high family festivals) was letting down my dignity in the eyes of the other servants—a thing which my lady considered me quite prone enough to do already, without seeking occasions for it” (insert pg#). By both considering how the other servants perceive him, and noting that his status prohibits him from performing such a task as waiting the table, Betteredge evidently elevates himself above the other servants. That Betteredge is still subordinate to the other members of the household is evident in his concession that “My mistress rang the bell, and ordered her waterproof things” (170). Thus, while superior to his other servants, Betteredge remains below lady Verinder, who by ringing the bell to summon him, effectively affirms his subordinate standing relative to
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