by Bridget Webber

Created on: October 18, 2007   Last Updated: August 04, 2011

In the past the class system was clearly defined and stuck to rigidly by most people. Those in the upper classes didn't socialize with those in the lower classes and those in the middle could only really rise in status via marrying someone rich. Poor people were looked down upon, and the wealthy were looked up to. This was evident in the way great halls were designed to house low ranking staff members regarded as peasants, and could be spied down on by their rich employers from galleries above.

This cut and dried classist society was rebelled against as humans moved through time, hopefully evolving ethically simultaneously, and the 'have nots' decided that they deserved a piece of the wealthy pie. No-longer were they happy in their position below the higher classes, and they challenged societies label given to them as being from the lower classes. Employers didn’t treat their staff quite so poorly, and individuals began to be given human rights.

Along with this change in the view points of some people came a change in the demands of society when it came to entertainment. People started to enjoy watching television programs where characters from poor backgrounds would rise in social rank. This became society’s new fairytale as it succeeded in fitting in with the wishes of the general public majority.

Shows and programs which depicted or actually let people see 'real life' characters do well caught on, and became a public obsession. No longer did celebrities need to be wonderful actors or, indeed, be especially talented. All they had to do was seem poorly educated, entertaining and ultimately to succeed in reflecting what poorer people in society wanted to see. What they wanted to see of course, were people who came from a similar background to them rising like a Phoenix from their 'lot' and exceeding all expectations.

This voyeurism comes from a desire to improve and signals a change in the movement of society as people all over the world seek to abandon the out-dated class system and be viewed as human beings rather than by their bank balance. Unfortunately the only way that many people feel that they can do this is to first become richer, which takes them full circle rather than relieving the problem.

The only way in-which the class system could be eradicated, is if we all had an equal share of the world’s wealth. Now that’s a far finer fairytale to consider, although one full of moral dilemmas of its own.

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