Recommendation.

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

CLASS: A guide to the American status system. By Paul Fussell.

This book is an excellent writing aid cuz it clearly defines American social classes. Fussell leaves nuthin in doubt. That is, the book stereotypes people well, and the stereotypes are accurate.

I was surprised to learn who populates each class. Cops, firemen, military officers, nurses, and most trade union members are low class. If your job is dangerous, youre low class. If youre supervised at work, youre low class. Low class drinks beer. Low class likes roller-derby, wrestling, boxing, bowling, football. Low class decorates their car with bumper nutz and bumper stickers. Low class reads Tom Clancy, Cosmo, National Enquirer, and fuck books.

Fussell samples each class in depth and detail.

 

[Loring2]

I read ...

... it too and was similarly surprised while not being surprised. Fussell has been sitting in my head though.

 

[TE999]

'Class' was written in 1983, has it been updated?


Here's Paul's bio on Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Fussell

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

'Class' was written in 1983, has it been updated?


Here's Paul's bio on Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Fussell

I dont know. But the particulars are less relevant than the traits of each class.

 

[wet_special]

Not to sound like a cheapskate who won't buy the book, but what about class mobility?

 

[R. Richard]

I was surprised to learn who populates each class. Cops, firemen, military officers, nurses, and most trade union members are low class. If your job is dangerous, youre low class. If youre supervised at work, youre low class. Low class drinks beer. Low class likes roller-derby, wrestling, boxing, bowling, football. Low class decorates their car with bumper nutz and bumper stickers. Low class reads Tom Clancy, Cosmo, National Enquirer, and fuck books.

I must disagree. Scumbags have no class at all. While it's not impossible that some of them have learmed to read, they move their lips as they do so. JMNTHO.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Not to sound like a cheapskate who won't buy the book, but what about class mobility?

So far the mobility is entirely down the ladder.

Money never improves people like the Clampetts or Kennedys.

If your character wins the lottery theyre still gonna eat pork & beans and Spam.

 

[scriptordelecto]

Low class reads Tom Clancy, Cosmo, National Enquirer, and fuck books.

So where are those that write fuck books classified, since most of the posters here (myself included) fall into that category?

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

So where are those that write fuck books classified, since most of the posters here (myself included) fall into that category?

Middle-class, of course.