Analyse af Alan Sillitoes novelle 'Beggarland'

In society, families in the upper class put a lot of effort into looking successful and maintaining a good image. This can create a noticeable contrast with working-class families. While working-class families often prioritize practicality, the upper class tends to prioritize appearances and social status. This difference highlights different values and challenges that people from different backgrounds might experience, as seen in Alan Sillitoe’s short story “Beggarland,” published in the women’s magazine “Woman and Home" in the 1990s.

Jane is an upper-class woman who likes to maintain a good image for herself and her family. She lives in her own comfortable bubble of luxury. While recognizing the less fortunate, she has an ‘out of sight, out of mind approach. Jane is concerned about how her children are perceived by others (page 4, lines 99–100): “Don’t say me and Angie’. It’s Angie and I, as you know.” Speaking correctly is associated with social status, which is why Jane corrects her children’s speech. Although Greta wasn’t her first choice for an au pair, she places more importance on her children's happiness than Greta’s unconventional appearance.

There is a big difference in Greta and Jane’s values when it comes to childcare. Greta cares for the children’s happiness and well-being, but Jane simply sees her as someone to amuse and entertain her children, while she is selfishly preoccupied with her own work and passion. Greta values connections and strives to create genuine relationships with the children she looks after. Jane values maintaining a good image and social status. When she sees her children begging in the underground, she gets angry and ashamed at the thought of her children engaging in behaviours associated with poverty. She is also concerned about how their actions might affect her family’s reputation. Calmness can also be considered one of Jane’s values based on her reaction to challenging situations. Despite feeling angry, ashamed, and even having violent thoughts when discovering her children begging, Jane chooses to remain calm instead of reacting impulsively.