Class and Economic Inequality

Macrae uses the theme of class and economic inequality in order to show how disadvantaged those in lower economic classes are within a variety of aspects. This is primarily done by the use of Roddy Macrae, the main character of the novel, who is certainly on the lower tier of the class system in his society. The author implies that many of the tribulations that Roddy and his family go to are due to his economic place in society.

The most obvious sign of this theme is that the Macrae family is constantly taken advantage of by those who are higher up in the class system. The person that probably takes advantage of the Macraes (and families like them) are Lord Middleton and those associated with him. Throughout the novel, it becomes very clear that Lord Middleton is making a tidy profit off...