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Was literary Bond an upper-, working-class or a classless hero?


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#1 nanolark

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Posted 20 June 2015 - 05:48 AM

Considering his connection with Fleming I'd say upper-class but there is no clear description suggesting his high status in the society, when it comes to his past. On the other hand, films first presented Connery who is said to reflect more of a working-class or even a classless hero.



#2 AMC Hornet

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Posted 20 June 2015 - 04:53 PM

Connery was a working-class hero. Bond is a hero with a lifestyle to aspire to, regardless of your current social/economic class.

 

Bond himself was not born into wealth and influence (as Fleming was) - his father was an engineer for Vickers. Bond developed a taste for the finer things in life, and found that employment with MI6 provided him with an expense account that allowed him to indulge himself occasionally.

 

Fleming's books - and the early films - are blueprints for how to elevate your status through conspicuous consumerism; snobbery is another matter altogether - Bond may be ostentatious, but he isn't pretentious.



#3 Pierceuhhh

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Posted 21 June 2015 - 01:12 AM

He's described as a lone wolf who doesn't quite fit in anywhere. At Blades, he's described as foreivn-looking and out of place. He's also IMO more of a fastidious OCD type rather than posh - he wears the same mangy suit every day, his suitcases are always described as old & battered, etc. He pours his money into that which he enjoys - car maintenance, holidays, problem gambling, etc.