Reading 1001 discussion

8. Maggs is never a "gentleman"; Phipps is. What does this tell us about the class system in nineteenth-century England, and about the author's attitude toward it? What changes were occurring in the class system at that time, and how are these changes illustrated by the novel and its characters? Tobias and Buckle look on Maggs as a servant, themselves as masters: how does Carey subvert this idea? Mercy says that although he had two children of his own, Maggs "had an aim to find a better class of son" [p. 346]. Are Maggs's motives really as simple as this?

In the true sense of the word, Phipps really isn't a gentleman either. Through Maggs' benefaction, he was elevated to that status, but it was really an illusion. Hence, his fear that he would lose his status if the truth came out about how he acquired it.

Maggs has become a successful, respected member of Australian society, but he will never be viewed as anything other than a criminal in London society. Even though he has completed his sentence, returning to London is punishable by death.

Agree with Diane society accept Phipps because he has a disposable income and education but he is really not a gentleman.

I don't thing Maggs motives are that simple I think he is trying to live his life again through Phipps by giving him everything he never had.

I think Carey's ideas about the class system are quite nuanced. Maggs tries to make a gentleman of Phipps, but Phipps is spoiled by his unearned income and lives a dissolute life, terrified of losing his status. Buckle tries to act like a gentleman, but his wealth is newly acquired so he doesn't quite succeed. Maggs has made the transition from convict to gentleman successfully in NSW but he will never have status in England, however wealthy he is.