This book traces the phenomenon of class from the medieval to the postmodern period, uniquely examining its relevance to literary and cultural analysis. Drawing on historical, sociological and literary writings, Gary Day: * gives an account of class at different historical moments * shows the role of class in literary constructions of the social * examines the complex relations between 'class' and 'culture' * focuses attention on the role of class in constructions of 'the literary' and 'the canon' * employs a revived and revised notion of class to critique recent theoretical movements.