Power and Social class in Past Centuries

Within the modern day and age, the concept of power is determined by how much money one person has. However during the past centuries, power is determined by which social class one was born into. Some were born into a class that has more power to satisfy their needs and have more than enough to do whatever they want. Others had not so fortunate births and therefore could either have just enough power or insufficient power to fulfill their needs in life. However, power is not determined by a person’s birthright, each gender had an obligation to fulfill depending on their social class. So therefore, the concept of power is ultimately comprised of privileges, abilities, and obligations.
Upon birth to certain segments of society, the newborn would gain certain privileges as they are becoming of age. Fantomina, in Eliza Haywood’s story, plays several roles and utilizes the privileges given to the women of the social classes of Romantic Britain in order to keep her husband satisfied when he thinks he is dating several women. Since these privileges constitutes towards the development of power, Fatomina can accomplish the deeds that is acceptable within one class, but would not be tolerated if the same female within another classes committed the deed in question. Males however, have far more privileges within the earlier societies than their female counterparts due to the high standards that are established upon them.
As one begins to play a role in society, that person would obtain the abilities related to that role, and in return begin to develop power within that social standing. Pushkin’s “The Bronze Horseman” however, depicts Tzar Alexander as a king who does not have the ability to undermine the Neva River flooding the town where Ev...

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... is demanded by the societies of the Romantic, and Early Modern era, the rewards for such tribulations comprises of new abilities and privileges that accompany the amount of power that is earned through satisfying society’s demands. However, that power is lost the exact moment one fails to maintain control of their situation.

Works Cited

“The Thousand and One Nights.” Trans. Haddawy, Husain & Powys Mathers. The Longman Anthology World Literature. Ed. Joseph Terry. New York. Pearson Education, Inc., 2008. 1102-1160. Print
Haywood, Eliza. “Fantomina: Or, Love in a Maze.” The Longman Anthology World Literature. Ed. Joseph Terry. New York. Pearson Education, Inc., 2001-2021. Print
Pushkin, Alexander S. “The Bronze Horseman”. Trans. Johnston, Charles. The Longman Anthology World Literature. Ed. Joseph Terry. New York. Pearson Education, Inc., 2008. 2166-2177. Print