Assignment 104 : Servants of Destiny: Exploring the Impact of Maids on Fate in Literature through a Marxist Lens

 This blog is part of an assignment for the paper 104 - Literature of Victorians, Sem - 1, 2023.

Servants of Destiny: Exploring the Impact of Maids on Fate in Literature through a Marxist Lens

Table of Contents:-

• Personal Information
• Assignment Details
• Abstract
• Keywords
• Introduction
• The Social Implications of Miss Prism's Mix-up in "The Importance of Being Earnest"
• The Maid's Rebellion: A Symbol of Inequality in Post-Colonial India
• Conclusion
• References

Personal Information:-

Name:- Dhatri Parmar

Batch:- M.A. Sem 1 (2023-2025)

Enrollment Number:- 5108230032

E-mail Address:-dhatriparmar291@gmail.com

Roll Number:- 7

Assignment Details:-

Topic:- Servants of Destiny: Exploring the Impact of Maids on Fate in Literature through a Marxist Lens

Paper & subject code:-104 - Literature of the Victorians & 22395

Submitted to:- Smt. Sujata Binoy Gardi, Department of English, MKBU, Bhavnagar

Date of Submission:- 01 December,2023

Abstract : 

This paper looks at how maids and servants in famous books impact the main characters and society. It uses ideas from Marx about social class struggles. Two servants are compared - Miss Prism from the comedy play “The Importance of Being Earnest” and Mary Pereira from Salman Rushdie’s magical realist novel “Midnight’s Children.” Though these two ladies are very different, they both make key mistakes that shape the life journeys of their wealthy masters. Deeper analysis shows these servant characters actually highlight tensions between upper and lower social classes. The things they do wrong on accident or on purpose manage to put rich families’ money and power at risk. But in the end, the rich families stay in charge and order is restored. These two stories show how much influence domestic servants have over powerful groups because they work so closely raising their children. However, the servants stay trapped in their lower status. So they reveal authors’ views about wealth gaps and class differences affecting personal identities as well as national political issues.

Keywords:  Social classes, Domestic workers and maids, Identity, Fate

Introduction : 

Maids, nannies, housekeepers and other domestic workers are everywhere in books, plays and movies. They cook and clean in the background of rich people’s homes. These characters often seem minor, even silly. But when we look deeper, they actually have a huge impact on the main characters they serve. As Encyclopedia Britannica mentioned  Marxism is a social, political, and economic philosophy that originated in the mid-19th century with the work of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. It is a critique of capitalism and advocates for a classless society in which the means of production are owned and controlled by the workers.  Marxism developed in response to the social, political, and economic conditions of the time.

 Marx and Engels were both socialists who were critical of the excesses of capitalism, which they saw as leading to exploitation, inequality, and social unrest.The central idea of Marxism is that history is driven by class struggle. Marx believed that there are two main classes in society: the bourgeoisie (capitalists) and the proletariat (workers). The bourgeoisie owns the means of production and exploits the proletariat in order to generate profit. This exploitation leads to class conflict, which Marx believed would eventually lead to a socialist revolution. (“Marxism - Class, Capitalism, Dialectic”)

At first glance, Miss Prism and Mary Pereira appear to have little in common. Miss Prism is a clumsy, forgetful nanny in Victorian England, while Mary Pareira is a mysterious maid in post-colonial India. However, Marxist thinking reveals that both characters are caught in class struggles that shape the fates of those around them.

The Social Implications of Miss Prism's Mix-up in "The Importance of Being Earnest" : 

In Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest," the character of Miss Prism plays a pivotal role in resolving the play's central conflict. Through her accidental mix-up of a baby and a book manuscript, Miss Prism sets the stage for the comedic revelation of Jack's true identity and his subsequent acceptance into the upper class. However, beneath the surface of the play's lighthearted dialogue lies a deeper commentary on the social and economic realities of Victorian England, particularly the rigid class structure and the anxieties of the upper class about their status and power.

Miss Prism's mix-up, initially presented as a humorous blunder, takes on a more significant meaning when viewed through her position. As a governess, Miss Prism occupies a liminal position between the working class and the upper class. She is not a member of the working class, but she also does not possess the wealth and privilege of the upper class. This ambiguous social standing aligns with Miss Prism's aspirations for upward mobility, a common desire among individuals in her position during Victorian England.

Miss Prism's declaration, "I can be trusted. You should marry me," can be interpreted as a reflection of her desire to improve her social standing. While the statement may appear to be a romantic overture, it also suggests Miss Prism's belief that marriage with Mr.Chasuble  is a pathway to social advancement. This belief was prevalent among women of her time, who often sought marriage as a means of securing financial stability and social elevation.

By revealing Jack's true identity as the lost baby, Miss Prism not only restores order to the upper-class family but also secures Jack's place within that social circle acceptable for Lady Brecknell. This resolution reinforces the power dynamics of Victorian society, where the upper class maintains control over the working class and their destinies.

Miss Prism's actions, though seemingly frivolous, can be justified through a class struggle. Her desire for upward mobility and her belief in marriage as a means of social advancement are understandable given the societal expectations of women in Victorian England. Her mix-up, while unintentional, ultimately serves to reinforce the power dynamics of the time, placing Jack firmly within the upper class and reaffirming the existing social hierarchy.

As Marion Amies argued that wealthy people in the late 1800s were concerned about losing their status and wealth due to social changes and the influence of servants.(Amies) Miss Prism's careless mistake could have disrupted the family legacy and deprived them of their inheritance.Miss Prism is eventually forgiven and helped by the upper-class characters, demonstrating their dependence on the wealthy. The play's humorous tone masks a deeper message about the significance of preserving social order and the upper class's power.

The Maid's Rebellion: A Symbol of Inequality in Post-Colonial India : 

In Salman Rushdie's magical realist masterpiece, "Midnight's Children," Mary Pereira, a humble maid, emerges as a complex and enigmatic figure, her life intricately intertwined with the protagonist, Saleem Sinai. Driven by a misguided sense of social justice, Mary commits an act that alters the course of Saleem's life forever – she switches him at birth with Shiva, the son of her wealthy employers. This act, rooted in a deep-seated resentment against the stark inequalities of post-colonial India, sets in motion a chain of events that profoundly shapes Saleem's identity and experiences.

Mary's decision to switch the babies is not merely a careless mistake; it is a deliberate act of rebellion against the unjust social order she inhabits. On the eve of India's independence, as the nation celebrates its liberation from British rule, Mary witnesses firsthand the persistence of class divisions. She recognizes that the promise of freedom has not extended to the underprivileged masses, who remain trapped in a cycle of poverty and marginalization. Her act of switching the babies is a desperate attempt to disrupt the perpetuation of privilege and inequality.

Mary's maternal connection to Saleem develops over time, and she comes to love him as her own son. Despite her initial intentions, she acknowledges the gravity of her actions and dedicates herself to making amends. She becomes Saleem's ayah, his surrogate mother, providing him with the love and care he craves. This maternal bond transcends their social boundaries, highlighting the power of love to bridge the gap between classes.

Throughout the novel, Mary's presence in Saleem's life serves as a constant reminder of the class struggle that continues to plague India. Her guilt over her actions weighs heavily on her, and she struggles to reconcile her desire for social justice with the unintended consequences of her act. Her story mirrors the broader narrative of post-colonial India, a nation grappling with the challenges of forging a new identity amidst the remnants of a deeply entrenched class system.

In the end, Mary's fate becomes intertwined with Saleem's once again. Saleem, now an adult, seeks her out and brings her to live with him. This reunion signifies the enduring connection between the two, despite the complexities of their relationship. Saleem's introduction of Mary to his son as his "mamma" further underscores the depth of their bond, acknowledging Mary's role as a maternal figure in his life.

Mary Pereira's character stands as a poignant representation of the class struggle in post-colonial India. Her actions, driven by a desire for social justice, have unintended consequences that reverberate throughout Saleem's life. Yet, amidst the complexities of their relationship, a deep maternal bond emerges, transcending social barriers and highlighting the enduring power of love. Mary's story serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of individuals in a society grappling with the challenges of inequality and the pursuit of true freedom.

Conclusion : 

Even though main characters like Saleem get the most attention in famous books, low status servants behind the scenes often quietly change everything. Miss Prism with her silly baby mix-up and Mary Pereira pulling off an intentional switch at midnight birth seem very different. But using Marx’s ideas about layered social class tensions shows that both maids invisibly shift balances of power, opportunity, belonging through the choices they make influencing the next generation.Inside their posh employer homes, these ladies - one bumbling, one bitter - take actions revealing injustice and inequality for the ignored lower economic groups. 

Their brief intrusions into protected wealth spotlight ongoing unfair realities linked back historically to things like English industrialization or Indian colonialism. But in the end, despite revealing hard truths, both beloved stories protect comforting status, silence maid voices again. The rich families simply carry on stronger once disruptions pass. Everything falls back in place according to old rules. So Marx would say these famous tales mirror larger cycles where the working class drives change and gets blamed but the elite class keeps reaping rewards. Still, memorable maids like Miss Prism and Mary symbolize unsettled social forces rumbling beneath, demanding that signposts up ahead include fairer detours so more people arrive safely someday.

References : 

Amies, Marion. “The Victorian Governess and Colonial Ideals of Womanhood Marion Amies Victorian Studies, Vol. 31, No. 4 (Summer, 1988), pp. 537-565 (29 pages) https://www.jstor.org/stable/3827856.” Jstor, 16 June 2023, Accessed 22 November 2023.

“Marxism - Class, Capitalism, Dialectic.” Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Marxism/Analysis-of-society. Accessed 22 November 2023.

Rushdie, Salman. Midnight's Children. Avon, 1982.

Sharp, Kaity, and Hannah Laflin. “The Saleem and Shiva Principle in Rushdie’s Midnight’s Children | Synaptic.” Central College, 21 May 2019, https://central.edu/writing-anthology/2019/05/21/the-saleem-and-shiva-principle-in-rushdies-midnights-children/. Accessed 22 November 2023.

Wilde, Oscar. The Importance of Being Earnest. MAPLE PRESS PVT Limited, 2019.

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