Research Proposal

For my research paper I want to discuss the issue of social class in literature, as it also relates to real life. The two books I want to focus on are The Outsiders and Pride and Prejudice. Although the stories are very different, the characters in both books come to the conclusion that social status is not as important as it is made out to be.
In The Outsiders there is a gap between the rich and poor characters most distinctly defined by the gangs, The Greasers and The Socs. Just the names of the gangs begin to show the difference in social status between the two groups. The difference in social class is the source of hate towards each other and reason they are constantly be at odds. Throughout the book, however, several of the characters in both groups realize that they are dealing with many of the same issues despite their social standing. People in both classes have family problems, strong friendships, and are figuring out who they are. By the end of The Outsiders this rift between the groups leads to death on both sides. The deaths are unnecessary and help to further show that social status does not have to divide people.
In Pride and Prejudice the social class divider is again very obvious, yet sets the people apart in a totally different way. The Bennets, a middle class family, still intermingle with the upper class, such as the Bingleys and Darcys but their inferior class causes issues on both sides. Although both Elizabeth and Jane end up marrying into the upper class, their social status works against them for most of the book. These marriages demonstrate that despite social class the characters can still relate and bring each other love and happiness. Distinct from The Outsiders, Pride and Prejudice shows characters, like Mr. Collins and Mr. Wickham, that are trying to work their way into upper class or that truly believe they are inferior because of a middle class standing.
I plan to use both of these books as well as articles about how social class can affect people’s attitude towards others for my research paper. I chose this topic because I feel that it is important for adolescents to understand that different backgrounds do not have to divide people. Reading books such as these show two distinct examples of the problems that this sort of attitude brings. Even though these books tell completely different stories and are written with different styles, they share this similarity showing that social status is an label that leads to unnecessary conflict.