A combination of both wealth and one's lifestyle, the class system was very much a part of Victorian society and helped to dictate who one knew, what one did, where one lived, and every other element of one's life. While class mobility was possible, it was very far from the norm, and so when crafting your character it is important to understand their world, not just that of the broader Magical Britain. What follows are brief descriptions of the social classes, as well as professions that such individuals might find.
The internet is a wonderful tool full of useful information! If you want to learn more about a particular class, try Googling "_____ class in the 1880s" :)
The vast majority of Victorian society, the Working Class are not soot-laden slum dwellers with loose morals and missing teeth that one might imagine but generally hardworking, respectable individuals who simply do not have all the opportunities in life that the more affluent minority has been blessed with. In spite of a series of economic changes throughout the century, towards the end the average worker was decidedly better off, and magic allowed for better (but not perfect!) lifestyles still.
Depending on their level of income — which could vary widely even within this class — housing for working class individuals or families might consist of rented rooms, flats, or homes; or, if more affluent, own buildings themselves. Many business owners might own the business but not the property, but again — this could vary widely. In terms of education, most children would see a year at Hogwarts thanks to the First Year Fund, but few would stay past their O.W.L.s (if they didn't leave sooner to find employment!)
The broadest social group, the Middle Class contained those only just out of Working Class all the way up to those nearly as wealthy — but not as well established — as some of the Upper Class. In terms of education, members of this group would typically have their O.W.L.s if not better, but beyond that there is so much variation that one really must understand the working and upper classes to properly appreciate the middle! A good rule of thumb is that if one doesn't have at least a live-out general servant, one is not middle class.
The Victorian upper class and the magical upper class are two different entities with similar traits. While Wizarding Britain was tolerant of but did not pay much heed to those among their number who bore muggle titles, the true magical "aristocracy" consisted of old families with old properties and old artifacts and a pedigree they could trace farther than Merlin. While some might choose to have house elves for menial work, to employ no human staff would be seen as socially irresponsible. It was the duty of the upper classes to contribute to society by providing employment for their social lessers, and so a true occupation — bar certain Ministry of Magic posts — would be considered uncommon for this tier.
Homes — for members of this class were typically owned if in the country, and owned or let if in town. It would be a sure sign of impending ruin for an upper class family not to own property somewhere—but such things did happen. Members of this class would be the best educated, with almost everyone completing a Hogwarts education. Some young ladies, however, might acceptably be removed after their O.W.L.s for marriage or finishing, but for a child to leave school any sooner would be cause for speculation, regardless of their sex.
While in the VE, the Upper Class would have included the nobility, Charming allows such characters only as prizes.
The following lists are extensive but not all-inclusive.
Please ask if you're not sure under what category a job might fall!
WC: Likely
These jobs would be very well populated by members of the working class, though some may be restricted to males and others to females. | — Domestic service
— Factory work — Shop work — Shop manager — Trades work (such as carpentry) — Labour — Farming — Security and Secretary positions at the Ministry — Mediwizard, nurse — All "miscellaneous" jobs at the hospitals — Daily Prophet or Witch Weekly reporter or photographer — Hogwarts groundskeeper or caretaker — Performance jobs — Falconer, gamekeeper — Welcome Witch |
WC: Unlikely
These jobs can be out of reach to WC individuals due to lack of funds or education, or may simply be impractical for their lifestyle or needs. Regardless, few would bat an eye to hear of a WC person employed in any of the following! | — Quidditch player (rep drop for females)
— Quidditch coach (rep drop for females) — Shop owner — Ministry office jobs — Hit Wizard (rep drop for females) — Obliviator — Healer — Assistant to the hospital director — Museum tour guide — Artisinal trades (such as silversmith, jeweler) — Magical trades (such as broommaking) — Feminine trades (such as hatmaking) — Librarian — Curse breaker (rep drop for females) — Factory foreman — Landlord/landlady |
WC: Almost Impossible
Lack of education, funds, or social standing can put these posts entirely out of reach for WC individuals. Those to hold such jobs would be the exceptions to any rule. | — Unit or Asisstant Head at the Ministry
— Hogwarts professor — Auror (rep drop for females) — Unspeakable (rep drop for females) — Ministry lawyer — Healer in Charge — Museum Curator |
WC: Scandalous
Nice people do not take these jobs. All will incur a reputation drop. | — Prostitute
— Ownership or employment at a shady establishment — Job rooted in crime |
MC Males: Likely
Jobs common to males within the middle classes. | — Ministry departmental jobs
— International liaison — Healer/in Charge — Hospital director — Assistant to the hospital director — Artisanal trades (such as silversmith or jeweler) with employees — Magical trades (such as broommking) with employees — Hogwarts professor — Schoolmaster — Librarian — Museum curator or director — Daily Prophet columnist — Religious authority — Scholar — Solicitor or barrister — Merchant — Physician — Estate agent — Landlord |
MC Males: Unlikely
These jobs are either often financially out of reach or fiscally/physically imprudent for someone of this class. Jobs may see a reputation drop of up to -2 depending on the job and the character's circumstances. | — Quidditch player
— Quidditch coach or sponsor — Performance jobs — Business owner (factory, hotel, etc.) — Shop owner — Investor — Mediwizard — Shop worker in a family business — Daily Prophet reporter or photographer |
MC Males: Don't
Jobs not appropriate to their class. Will see a reputation drop of at least -2 | — All other WC listed jobs
— Shop worker in a business not owned by the family |
MC Females: Likely
Unless there is a financial necessity, a working woman is seen to be choosing a career over a husband and family—regardless of her actual intentions! No matter her reason, these jobs are considered entirely appropriate for a MC woman who works. Some more casual posts may be considered a "hobby" by society even if income is garnered. | — Healer
— Assistant to the hospital director — Teacher or Hogwarts professor — Governess — Librarian — Museum curator — Daily Prophet or Witch Weekly columnist — Lady's companion — Chaperon — Feminine trades (such as hatmaking) performed while married |
MC Females: Unlikely
These jobs would be considered strange for a woman to hold, but not wholly scandalous within magical society. They may incur a reputation drop of up to -2, and some might be financially unrealistic for most. | — Ministry of Magic office jobs
— Quidditch sponsor — Business owner (such as a factory or hotel) — Shop owner — Mediwitch — Shop worker in a shop owned by family — Artisinal trades (such as silversmith or jeweler) — Magical trades (such as broommaking) — Scholar — Solicitor or barrister — Authoress — Welcome Witch — Landlady |
MC Females: Don't
Jobs are considered to be inappropriate and will incur a reputation ding of at least -2. | — Quidditch player or coach
— Shop worker in a shop not owned by the family — Auror — Hit witch — Performance jobs — Daily Prophet reporter or photographer — Curse breaker — All other WC listed jobs |
UC Males: General
A gentleman may need to work depending on their birth order, may choose an illustrious career like politics in order to better their family status or society, or may simply seek a way to pass the time. For those with the means, though, simply subscribing to a life of leisure is always acceptable! | — Gentleman of leisure (living off of investment and/or land income)
— Quidditch player or sponsor — Ministry of magic departmental jobs — Auror or investigator — Obliviator — Owner of a large-scale business (such as a large factory or shipping company) — Healer or hospital director — Museum curator — Curse breaker — Daily Prophet columnist — International liaison |
UC Males: Don't
These jobs are not suited to a gentleman of your stature, and will earn you a reputation drop of at least -2. | — Artisinal or magical trades (UNLESS they were what earned the class)
— All WC listed jobs — All other MC listed jobs |
UC Females: Unlikely
For an UC woman to work is peculiar, to say the least! Jobs may incur a rep drop of up to -2. | — Ministry of Magic departmental jobs
— Healer or hospital director — Hogwarts professor — Investor — Quidditch sponsor — Owner of a large-scale business (such as a large factory or shipping company) — Museum director — Lady's companion |
UC Females: Don't
What are you doing?! Will incur a reputation drop of at least -2. | — Quidditch player
— Auror or investigator — Obliviator — Actress or other performer — All other WC listed professions — All other MC listed professions |
UC Females: Non-Income
Upper class women who are actively and appropriately involved in society may volunteer their time or 'work' for a small honorarium without too much strife. | — Hospital welcome witch
— Museum tour guide — Chaperon — Daily Prophet or Witch Weekly columnist |
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