The clearest information we are given about the social
structure of Raveloe in this fascinating novel is in Chapter Three, which introduces us
to the "head" of Raveloe. Of course, as with any village, Raveloe consists of a mix of
different groups of people, each having their own social standing. Thus there are the
landed gentry, at the top of the social ladder, with other various groups taking their
place below them until you reach the very poor. However, Chapter Three begins with an
introduction to the Cass family:
The greatest man in Raveloe was Squire Cass, who
lived in the large red house, with the handsome flight of stone steps in front and the
high stables behind it, nearly opposite the
church.
We are likewise told
in this chapter about the relationship between the rich and poor of
Raveloe:
...the rich ate and drank freely, and accepted
gout and apoplexy as things that ran mysteriously in respectable families, and the poor
thought that the rich were entirely in the right of it to lead a jolly life; besides,
their feasting causes a multiplication of orts, which were the heirlooms of the
poor.
Thus Raveloe exists
with the head of its social structure being Squire Cass, with other members of the
landed gentry who live a fine life. There also exists the poorer members of the
community who do not begrudge their supposed "betters" the life they
lead.
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