In considering the contrasts between the main female characters’ lifestyles, what do you think these differences reveal about class and privilege? How does wealth act as both an enabler and a barrier for different characters?
I thought that aspect of the book was intriguing. Lloyd uses characters representing a full spectrum of socioeconomic status to illustrate the cultural shifts of that time period. Daphne’s aristocratic background, Chrissie’s solid middle-class sensibilities, and Fern’s working-class roots all illustrate the broad spectrum of those who contributed to and were impacted by the rapid changes in post-World War II society. All of the characters cross lines, disrupting the status quo in gender expectations, fashion, and pop culture. Each of these characters is motivated by wealth and status to succeed as part of Quant’s retinue: Daphne is attempting to escape the confining expectations of aristocracy; Chrissie is searching for independence as a successful career woman; and Fern is trying to overcome a life trapped in generational poverty. All of these characters reflect the changes occurring in the cultural shift of the 1950s and 60s.
Before WWII, there were definite lines between classes. it was interesting to see how those lines became blurred after the war and how people in one class began to be able to interact with those in higher classes.
Patricia_M, I think you are right on target with your comments. I enjoyed seeing the characters have relationships with someone different than them, and see that person as a person not just their class. I think having a similar desire to be a model and be part of the fashion world, gave them similar values and goals that crossed the social classes.
For me this was one of my favorite parts of the book, I loved the dialogue between Daphne and Fern.
I agree with Susan. I thikn class was more important befroe the war then afterwards. I think it was inevitable as change was happening so quickly, and so many people, particularly the young, did not want to go back to the way things were before. i also enjoyed the conversations between Daphne and Fern. I think they both learned a lot about each other and assumptions they had always made in the past.