Categories Quote by E. P. Thompson
“I do not see class as a 'structure', nor even as a 'category', but as something which in fact happens (and can be shown to have happened) in human relationships... the notion of class entails the notion of historical relationship. ...And class happens when some men, as a result of common experiences (inherited or shared), feel and articulate the identity of their interests as between themselves, and as against other men whose interests are different from (and usually opposed to) theirs”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Making of the English Working Class, E. P. Thompson, 1963
Class is not a fixed structure but a lived, historical relationship formed through shared experiences and collective identity.
In simple terms: Class emerges from shared experiences and identity.
Key Takeaway
Recognize class as dynamic and relational.
Themes
social class
history
identity
relationships
power
Mood
critical
reflective
analytical
Type
sociological
philosophical
historical
When to use this quote
- labor movements
- community organizing
- policy analysis
- educational curricula
- media representation
Key Concepts
Marxism
social constructionism
historical materialism
Questions to Reflect On
- How do personal narratives reshape class perception?
- What role do intersecting identities play in class formation?
A Different Perspective
Class analysis can overlook individual agency and intersecting identities.
![“I don't think in national categories. For me it [policy] is about concepts and substance.” quote by Jean-Claude Juncker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/911/jean-claude-juncker-3277_categories_i-don-t-think-in-national-categories-for_14194.jpg)
![“I read so ravenously that I would read through whole categories. I was crazy about reading biographies. [...] I think biographies are very urgent to children.” quote by Joan Didion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a53/joan-didion-497_biographies_i-read-so-ravenously-that-i-would-read-t_43631.jpg)
