Class Inequality In The Collector By John Fowles

John Fowles is a well-known 20th century British author who has dedicated his life to the world of literature. His first novel, The Collector, published in 1963, deals with a man’s obsession with a woman that turns to kidnap and eventually death.The book is set around the two main characters of Frederick and the girl he is obsessed with Miranda and is mainly set in Sussex around the middle of the 20th century. His obsession with Miranda begins in his hometown where he watches her from afar but she then moves away to London to go to college so his obsession dies away. After winning a large amount of money his obsession takes a new turn. He moves to London and once in London, starts to develop a fantasy to abduct Miranda but never really intends

There is no official definition of the class system in England but not much has changed since its beginnings. People are still judged on how much land they own, the accent he or she might have, or the education they might have received. Typically, upper class people live on large estates, speak the ‘Queen’s English’, and have studied either at Oxford or Cambridge. While on the other had lower class people, including the middle class and working class, live in smaller housing, speak with rougher, northern accents, and study at lesser-known universities. The novel does an amazing job showcasing the subdivisions within the classes. In particular, how the upper class divide themselves between “New money” and “Old money.” A major theme in the novel is that of class lines and social striation. Frederick is very blatantly from a lower social class than many other characters in the novel. His deep resentment of the higher classes intensifies when he wins a large amount of prize money. Frederick immediately senses and resents the fact that being "new money" does not automatically cause the "old money" to accept him as one of their own.
With his prize, he is able to turn his wildest dreams about the beautiful upper class Miranda into realities. Money allows him to pursue and capture Miranda, but Fredrick is uncomfortable with his wealth because he feels that he does not have the class rank to match his improved financial circumstances. John Fowles intended for The Collector to explore the system and its dangers. Fowles wants the reader to understand the divisions in