Oh, we don't have a class structure anymore. Not in America.
There are no titled lords, kings, queens, knights or even those that are called
servants. That is something that belongs
to the storied past we so often visit when we read those historical romances we
all adore. Right?
You had better think twice. How often do we hear of the Bush
fortune? Or even the
Clintons? In a land where every
child is told they can grow up to be president how true is that? It seems it
requires a great deal of wealth in order to attain the highest office in the
country. But that doesn't mean that there isn't a hierarchy left to those with
less money. There always has been--even
into the storied past of Europe's curious system of nobility and royalty.
In politics, whether we speak of the one in charge of a
country or even the servant at the top of the food chain in a great house,
there is always a class struggle. The butler has managed through hard work and
hopefully a sense of fair play to claw his way to the top of the servants
quarters. He is no longer seen as a mere footman, or worse--a chimney
sweep. He now had the comforts associated
with his new designation in life; a comfortable chair, perhaps his own
fireplace and even a fairly soft, clean bed.
Let's not forget the notoriety of being the single person in charge of
the comings and goings of this great house--who his master invited to stay
after supper this evening.
But dare he think of rising past his place into the House of
Lords? No, of course not. That belongs to yet another being. One born on silk
sheets. And yes, the un-named baron will
be accepted into his assigned place amongst his entitled brethren. However, the
larger question is how shall he stay there? Has he truly achieved his status in
life, or is he only on borrowed time?
For yes, money will buy you the spot at the head of the
table, but it won't keep you there. The butler knows that. Something greater is
required to maintain your spot within the greater society. You've got to make
friends and at least know how to obtain the kind of information that will
ensure their loyalty. Ah...loyalty. This
is the thing that wins votes, or swords, or simply a polite nod at a ball.
Garnering your loyal friends is truly how the class
structure has always worked. There will always be a single person at the top of
the food chain--no matter what their appellation might be. Whether we speak of
the ladies of the court, those serving as pages to the great men, or yes, the
one person elected to the highest office in the country. A single person will hold in their hands the
knowledge, and thus own the ability, to humble those who stand on the next tier
down ensuring the loyalty of all those beneath him.
Perhaps the most apt phrase when considering this pyramid of
political hunger is, "What goes up must come down." For somebody on that bottom step is likely to
whisper a secret that will shake the entire foundation, bringing those on top
crashing to their end.
However, watching those that climb to the top is perhaps the
most entertaining sport of all time. What glamour to be found! What lies will
be uncovered? Best of all--who will be dragged down by their own hubris? When
that pinnacle is vacant, what then? The inevitable next step--the next person
who has built the respect and loyalty of those around him will ascend,
reestablishing the symmetry of the world.
Leaving just one on top.
How utterly delicious.
~~~~
Thanks for joining me on my Bewitched Book Blog Tour! S.D.
Grady is celebrating the release of her latest novel "The
King's Mistress."
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