John Macdonald's Arguments Of Imperial Mobility

“He spoke to me about you; and said you were more like a gentleman than a servant; now, I am plain dressed, and I have got the place.” This excerpt from the account of Scottish valet, John MacDonald, represents the difficulties that faced the lower classes since their place within society was tenuous; based on appearances and their financial circumstances. His dress places him an image of one of above the position of a footman, thus causing him a job. MacDonald’s travel account and others show themselves traveling the empire and learning about their place in society and the empire. For The British in the eighteenth-century, identity and class were one and informed each other. One’s identity was constructed from their family, education, their …show more content…
Daniel Saunders, sailor, utilizes the growing long distance trade of the empire to constantly travel the globe by never staying long in port. The empire provided the lower classes’ opportunities to travel the globe such as commercial opportunities, the military, adventure and employment. Historians have extensively explored imperial mobility through the upper middle class, aristocracy, and gentry such as with the Nabobs of India. Although they left fewer sources, the lower classes wrote travel accounts that reveal the spatial and social mobility they achieved as the voyaged around the empire, as it expanded all over the globe. The genre allows for the lower classes to describe their imperial experiences with how their perspectives and place within society were challenged. Moreover I will explore these challenges to lower class status, identity, and their role in the growing global …show more content…
Concepts of slavery, culture, commerce and captivity impact how the empire is experienced for an individual. For example, John MacDonald travels to India and during his time there he assimilates with aspects of Indian culture, such as making curry and dress. His return to Britain has MacDonald utilizing the skills he gained in India in order to gain employment and this experience allowed for him to get more jobs traveling abroad. The interactions of the empire and society are further seen in the authors’ perspectives with the ideas, cultures, and reflections of the various locations and how the author’s identity evolves as a result of their travels. By analyzing these accounts through a societal and financial lens, I can compare how mobility was utilized and impacted the lower classes. The financial framework is examining how these individuals interacted with the larger economy. Again this did not always benefit the individual such as those who were sailors or worked for the navy and receive little pay; examples are Mark Moore and Tom Tackle. Mark Moore was born in the American colonies then works for the British Navy and uses his military experience to his benefit. Tom Tackle works as sailor in an attempt to improve his life. Analysis of these works builds off the works of Linda Colley,