Victorian Ladies and Gentlemen

I actually enjoyed reading the Perspectives section Victorian Ladies and Gentlemen because it describes a world that is vastly different than the world that we, as Americans, live in today. In most households both the mother and father have jobs and are considered to be providers for the family, but in this section the world described is far different. I really took interest in the way that the section talks about the terms “lady” and “gentleman” and how important they were to most people of the Victorian era. I found the part that says:

“The terms “lady” and “gentleman” had enormous significance, particularly for those aspiring to these ranks, or for those in danger of slipping out of them.”

I found this interesting because I have never thought of the terms “lady” and “gentleman” as a rank at all, but rather a term of respect held between people. I found it a bit odd that one could lose the rank of “lady” or “gentleman” because the text states that

“Some social distinctions were obvious: regardless of conduct, people born into the aristocracy and landed gentry were indisputably ladies and gentlemen; people who worked with their hands in home, field, or factory were not.”

The text clearly states that regardless of their conduct, the wealthy were given the titles of ladies and gentlemen so I found myself being very curious of how one would lose his or her rank. Though I still do not understand this peculiar part of the text, I do find it very interesting and I hope to eventually figure it out.