In the novel Pride and Prejudice the
concept of upward mobility is evident in the love matches of Elizabeth and Jane to
Darcy and Mr. Bingley, respectively.
Although both sisters
belong to a respectable family they are by no means aristocrats nor, for that
matter, "fashionable" enough to be found mingling in elite social circles like
Darcy's or Bingley's.
In fact, Darcy went as far as
admitting that he felt that the distance in social ranking between himself and Elizabeth
(as well as Bingley and Jane) was big enough for him to consider his proposal to
Elizabeth a form of self-sacrifice.
Later in the story we
witness a change in Darcy's views of pride and prejudice and the story ends with both
couples reunited.
We also know that the lives of Elizabeth
and Jane certainly improved thanks to the joys and comforts that are often associated
with rich households.
Therefore, upward social mobility is
possible as long as the person of rank who chooses to marry a person of lower birth is
content with knowing that there will be no dowry, no fusion of family estates, and no
increase in the family fortune.
That would have been a rare
thing for any rich and prestigious family to accept, so it was not the norm. In any
case, the benefit remains entirely on the person of lower birth who will basically be
living a dream come true.
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