The Class Game (Mary Casey)

The Class Game by Mary Casey is a poem that delves into the complexities of social class and identity. Through the speaker's reflection on the perceptions and judgments of others, the poem highlights the prejudices and stereotypes associated with class distinctions. The poem begins with a series of rhetorical questions posed by the speaker, questioning how others can determine their social class based on superficial observations. The speaker demonstrates their ability to adopt a posh accent and mannerisms, yet they are judged for their colloquial language and second-hand clothes, which are markers of their working-class background. You can read the poem below and find analysis further down the page.

The Class Game by Mary Casey

How can you tell what class I’m from? 

 I can talk posh like some 

 With an ’Olly in me mouth

 Down me nose, wear an ’at not a scarf

With me second-hand clothes.

 So why do you always wince when you hear

 Me say ‘Tara’ to me ‘Ma’ instead of ‘Bye Mummy 

 dear’?

 How can you tell what class I’m from? 

 ’Cos we live in a corpy, not like some

In a pretty little semi, out Wirral way

 And commute into Liverpool by train each day? 

 Or did I drop my unemployment card

 Sitting on your patio (We have a yard)?

 How can you tell what class I’m from? 

Have I a label on me head, and another on me bum? 

 Or is it because my hands are stained with toil? 

 Instead of soft lily-white with perfume and oil? 

 Don’t I crook me little ­finger when I drink me tea

 Say toilet instead of bog when I want to pee? 

Why do you care what class I’m from? 

 Does it stick in your gullet like a sour plum? 

 Well, mate! A cleaner is me mother

 A docker is me brother 

 Bread pudding is wet nelly

And me stomach is me belly

 And I’m proud of the class that I come from.

Analysis:

Title and Imagery:

The title "The Class Game" immediately introduces the central theme of the poem: the social divisions and inequalities based on class. The use of "game" suggests that social class is treated as a competitive and arbitrary construct, where some people have inherent advantages over others.

Structure and Form:

"The Class Game" is written in free verse with irregular line lengths, reflecting the fluidity and complexity of social dynamics. The lack of a regular rhyme scheme contributes to the poem's conversational tone, allowing for a more direct and impactful exploration of the theme.

Language and Tone:

Casey uses simple yet evocative language to convey the experiences of the children in the playground. The tone of the poem is critical and incisive, with Casey shining a light on the injustices and inequalities faced by working-class children in a society that privileges the upper class.

Imagery and Contrast:

The poem is rich in imagery, particularly in its depiction of the contrasting experiences of the upper-class and working-class

Themes:

Social inequality: The poem explores the theme of social inequality. The reader is proud to be working class and perceives that they could be looked down on because they are working class.

Identity and social mobility: The poem reflects on the impact of social class on individuals' sense of identity and their opportunities for social mobility, highlighting the barriers faced by working-class people in a society and the snobbery of the upper class.

Conclusion:

The Class Game by Mary Casey explores the physical and cultural differences that are often associated with social class. The speaker questions whether their hands, stained with labour, and their colloquial language are indicators of their working-class identity. They challenge societal norms by embracing their cultural heritage and refusing to conform to upper-class standards of behaviour. In the final stanza, the speaker defiantly asserts their pride in their working-class roots. They emphasise the importance of family and community, highlighting the resilience and strength of working-class individuals in the face of social prejudice.

The poem's inclusion in the Edexcel GCSE English Literature Conflict Poetry Anthology provides students with an opportunity to reflect on themes of social injustice and the impact of social class on individuals and society.

You can find analysis of all the Edexcel Conflict Poetry Anthology Poems here.