Customs in Common

A companion volume to The Making of The English Working Class, extending the studies there to include the examination of plebeian culture, working class consciousness, and industrial life. E. P. Thompson’s main thesis is that in 18th century England there was a tacit agreement of social behaviour and stability between the gentry and the poor. Both were allowed to take certain measures to achieve their aims–the gentry did it via the parliament, and the poor via civil disobedience. Most interestingly, however, was the symbolic struggle, or cultural struggle–what E. P. Thompson calls the theatre and counter-theatre. The theatre meant the social attitudes–the gentry had its wigs, its fancy outfits, and its arrogant attitude, and the poor had its popular culture. This was a way to channel power and discontent through cultural manifestations.