Admiral Croft who was among the nouveau rich, had the financial means to rent
Kellnych From Sir Walter, one of the so-called landed gentry. How does Jane Austen's
treatment of class and social mobility reveal about these men and their women such as
Anne Elliot and Mrs. Smith? Which group fares better and why?
In Jane Austen's novel Persuasion, treatment of class is demonstrated focusing on the importance of social status as well as how social status can change significantly. In addition, Austen’s novel displays the variation of class differences as social mobility becomes further accepted after the war. The novel presents two different types of Englishman. One type describes the likes of Sir Walter, a traditional, titled, land-dwelling gentleman who splurges and enjoys the finest luxuries in life. The other type describes the likes of Admiral Croft, a naval officer who worked hard and made his own fortune. Admiral Croft was considered nouveau rich and didn’t have the same high social position as Sir Walter. Many of the naval officers had titles but did not have money because their property value was declining. (Austen).
During this era, the nouveau rich were perhaps better off financially but were not recognized socially by titled men such as Sir Walter. Sir Walter believed his wealth and his high social class would last forever. Unfortunately, when Sir Walter’s wife died he lost all logical reasoning regarding money. At this point, realism hit home and he was forced into forfeiting Kellnych to a naval officer and he moved to an apartment in Bath to lessen his money problems. Though Sir Walter dislikes that the Navy, as it brings "men of obscure birth into undue distinction," he is satisfied with Admiral and
