Culture and the Middle Classes - 9780754675334

Stewart (sociology, University of Portsmith, UK) revisits the construct known as the "middle class". In the course of his introduction, he redefines this as "middle classes" a number of groups with similar but not homogeneous lifestyles. One constant appears to be that members of the middle class are dominant in society in terms of economy and both social and physical mobility. Stewart focuses on an often overlooked aspect of the middle class, that of another slippery term "culture". His main research is into what he terms those of a "silver disposition" an apt phrase for those who regularly attend the theater as a night out. The rationale behind choices of which plays to see begins to seem like a British sit-com, but Stewart notes both the underlying insecurity in selecting classic plays and the desire for a return to a fantasy Britain, as displayed in the work of Agatha Christie. The form of the murder mystery demonstrates the uncertainty of the middle classes as to who they really are. He further states that this is because there are so many often opposing elements to being middle class. It is only when they are threatened as a group, particularly by social unrest on one side or government take over on the other, that the middle classes can be said to become a unit. Stewart closes with suggestions for further research, especially on the composition of the next generation down from the silvers. Middle class may soon have a new set of cultural markers. Annotation ©2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)