← Back to Concept Index

social-class-and-identity

The encounter with the supposed milliner underscores issues of social identity, appearance, and the suspicion cast on those outside established norms.

1 chapter across 1 book

Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell (2004)Susanna Clarke

Chapter 42

In this chapter, Mr Norrell faces political and social challenges as he attempts to regulate magic in England during wartime. Despite his reluctance, he is pressured by government officials to consider creating a school for magicians, but he prefers to focus on eliminating street-sorcerers, successfully lobbying for a committee that grants him exclusive magical authority within London. The chapter concludes with Vinculus, a street magician, resisting eviction and encountering a suspicious customer claiming to be a milliner with a commission for him.