Veneerings Position In Society example essay topic

'Quotations. 1) Mr and Mrs Veneering were bran-new people in a bran-new house in a bran-new quarter of London. Everything about the Veneerings was spick and span newt he surface smelt a little too much of the workshop and was a trifle sticker. (P. 48) The nouveau-riche class in London are epitomised by the Veneering household. Dickens shows his own perception of this new class springing up within the city with his less than favourable descriptions of the Veneerings. In this introductory passage, Dickens clearly shows that in order to attempt to fit in with the society with which they now associated, the Veneerings had brought a lot of flashy, showy, bran-new furniture, and their whole lives revolve around putting on an act for the rest of the world that is only just a veneer. As the name suggests, the Veneerings are shallow, hollow people who use the acquired riches to cover over all their own shortcomings.

2) There is excitement in the Veneering mansion in order that tomorrows feast may be crowned with flowers. (P. 159) The Veneerings are clearly intending to enhance their position in society by this gesture. Their extreme generosity in laying on the wedding for two of their acquaintances does not come out of kindness, but out of their wish to show those around them how wealthy they are. The outcome of the wedding also shows that Veneering is not the most astute of characters as he fails to recognise that both Alfred and Sophroniaan have deceived him as regards to their financial situations. The whole picture of Veneering laying on a large wedding for two almost strangers simply adds to the impression of Veneering being a shallow character only concerned with advancing his own situation by means of showing himself to be a rich aristocrat with money to burn. 3) Mr Podsnap was well to do and stood very highly in Mr Podsnaps opinion and he felt conscious that he set a brilliant social example in being particularly well satisfied with most things, and, above all other things, with himself (P. 174) This opening few lines of the chapter entitled Podsnappery give us as readers a particularly good insight into the person of Mr Podsnap. Throughout the story he is the object of Dickens disdain.

He thinks himself to be better than all of those around him. He enjoys being in society, but only in order to bring himself into the limelight, show off his wealth and further advance his own position as a wealthy, well to do gentleman. He uses people simply in order to enhance his own ego and make him feel better about himself. He is pompous, arrogant and full of self-importance. This is the type of character Dickens attempts to portray as a typical upper class gentleman. The passage continues showing Podsnaps reluctance to deal with difficult problems, his dislike for foreigners, his regular existence moving from day to day in a set pattern (getting up at eight, shaving close to quarter past, breakfasting at nine, going to the City at ten, coming home at half-past five, and dining at seven.) and his unwillingness to look outside of his own existence, shows what a shallow, meaningless existence he leads and how blissfully unaware of this fact he is.

4) These may be said to be the articles of faith and school which the present chapter takes the liberty of calling, after its representative man, Podsnapperyand they were enunciated with a sounding pomp that smacked the creaking of Mr Podsnaps own boots. (P. 175) It is clear through this quotation that Dickens realises that the stereotype to which he refers in Mr. Podsnap is not simply confined to few and far between, but in his description of Podsnap, Dickens refers to a class of people, and is making a profound statement about the lives they lead. His profound criticism of their existence is the lack of meaning in it; he thinks them pompous, conceited and totally self-orientated, obsessed by position and power. 5) The majority of the guests were like the plate, and included several heavy articles weighing ever so much. (P. 177) Showing the indulgence of the rich society, and the desire to show off what they have. 6) But there was a foreign Gentleman among them which one would seek in vain among the Nations of the Earth. (P. 179-181) Podsnap here shows his profound belief that he is superior to everybody else in every way despite evidence to the contrary.

His broad and sweeping statements are based on no evidence except his own convictions, and by treating the Frenchman as inferior to himself he shows his belief that the English and particularly himself are better than all foreigners no matter who they are. His beliefs, although sincere, are wholly unfounded and his pretence at superior intelligence is no more than that. He shows himself in this passage to be conceited, arrogant, full of self-importance, ill educated and irrational. 7) Britannia, sitting meditating one fine day but he says he will give Veneering four hours. (P. 295) This passage shows Dickens illustration of the corruption both within parliament and within the upper classes at time. 8) Veneering then says to Mrs. Veneering, We must work, I am not strong enough to bear him. (P. 295-306) This passage is concerned with Veneering becoming an M.P. Although he is offered the job on a plate through bribery, he insists upon rushing around asking his friends to gather round him. This although it is wholly unnecessary gives the appearance of him doing something that he considers work.

It is clear that Veneering has never really worked and has led a life of luxury. He is also unintelligent, as he has been given the job anyway via the bribe, the day spent rushing to see his friends is quite unnecessary. However, it does serve the purpose of enhancing Veneerings position in society by announcing his newly acquired position to all in society. 9) Now I shall be plain with you, Veneering, Then Ill work for you. (P. 299) Podsnap shows just how superior he considers himself to be by his insistence that he would be in parliament if he chose to be so. It appears that he has to be one better than anybody else who succeeds in order to keep his ego at its current over-inflated level. His unashamed belief that he is superior to Veneering in every way is shown by his attitude towards Veneerings request and his condescending attitude to his friend shows his apparent disregard for everything outside of himself.

10) Veneering, M.P., the vanished person has been spirited away or otherwise harmed. (P. 472) This extract shows that already Veneering is beginning to put on the airs and graces of a M.P. when it is quite unnecessary to do so. He is using his position to advance his respectability and position in society so that he can feel superior to all those around him. 11) But, nobody is half so much surprised as Hamilton Veneering, Esquire, M.P. a wondering dinner (P. 683) As soon as the Lamm les lose their money and respectability through their position in society, they are instantly disregarded as friends or acquaintances; the whole of society deems them to be outcast from their previous place among them. This is the fickle nature of the Veneerings, the Podsnaps and al of their closest contacts that they will not accept anybody as a friend who lacks money, power or position. Their friends therefore are not really friends but objects for selfish goals.

Veneering is particular surrounds himself with the rich and powerful for his own self-aggrandisement. 12) I, Podsnap casually remark elsewhere that I dined last Monday with a gorgeous caravan of camels. (P. 684) Podsnap seizes an opportunity here to enhance his own position in society through telling others about his rich and important connections with which he dined last Monday. 13) Veneering pervades the legislative lobbies bran-new faces overnight. (P. 683) Veneering is intent on showing his friends and acquaintances his newfound importance by bringing other M. Ps to dine with him. This is yet another attempt by Veneering to display his new powerful position in society. 14) The Veneerings have been, as usual, indefatigably dealing dinner cards to society. (P. 886) The Veneerings deal out diner cards on a regular basis to give the impression that they have a huge fortune and can afford to give large, lavish diner parties, and thereby enhance their own position in society, as the more money one appears to have, the more influential one is! 15) Yes and in a perfectly private and confidential manner. (P. 887) The Veneerings through lavish expenditure and desire for importance and influence in society have over expended and lived beyond their means.

In their desire for acceptance they lost their money and through the fickle nature of their importance they have lost all friends and acquaintances once their money has gone. This shows the total lack of real friendship within the upper-class society epitomised by the Veneerings and the Podsnaps. When Veneering loses his money, society rejects Veneering as does parliament, and all that Veneering had worked for has gone along with his money.