Mr Perks Birthday Analysis

Despite the disregard of their status, the issue of class hierarchy returns during Mr. Perks’ birthday. In preparation of the birthday gifts for Mr. Perks, the children’s mother brings up a stereotype of the underprivileged class when she states, “I only hope he won’t be offended and think its CHARITY. Poor people are very proud you know.” () The mother explains that poor people refuse gifts due to the implication that if they were to accept, they had failed to support their own family. In a sense, the mother provides an adult’s perspective on gifts, its parallelism to charity, and its negative effects on pride. Similarly, Mr. Perks had the same mindset when it came to the gifts, when he refused to accept the presents because he believed it …show more content…
Szezpansky, a Russian exile taken into their household. Resembling the previous event with their ill mother, the children write to the old gentleman to help find Mr. Szezpansky’s family. Shortly after receiving the letter, the old man arrives at their home and tells of his success in locating the Russian’s family. Following the great news, the family was overjoyed with Mr. Szezpansky being able to reunite with his beloved family. Despite the good that came out of the old gentleman’s assistance, the mother explained to him that, “we live very quietly. I am so sorry that I can’t ask you to come and see us again.” By refraining the old gentleman from visiting again, the mother reveals her disgrace on the constant dependence on him and apologizes for her ungratefulness. It is through this interaction does the mother impose the hierarchical order upon the old gentleman, explaining that her class is preventing her from accepting his help. However, he responds with, “you could never seem anything but a most charming and gracious lady.” () The old gentleman informs the mother that he never saw her as anything less than how she presents herself, which is a charming and gracious person. By viewing the mother’s individuality rather than class, the old gentleman resembles the children by overlooking class hierarchical order. Subsequently, the conflicting views about class hierarchy amongst the adults display how they can contribute to and deviate from equality. As children struggle against class hierarchy, the children constantly refer to the adults as dear friends which not only blurs hierarchy within class, but also between adults and