Indeed, let us “wait to see what McCartney means”

Nov 08, 2012 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,
I read the fascinating piece by Columnist Freddie Kissoon about the class system. It is a subject that crops up fairly often on British TV and radio programmes, perhaps because Britain is such a class-conscious country.
I think social class may be thought of in both personal and general terms – how one perceives oneself and how one is perceived by the society in which one lives. In other words, one might ‘think’ working class but ‘live’ middle class and vice versa, probably.
Paul McCartney describing himself as “a working class boy” is understandable, his feelings may be described as ‘natal roots’, in the same way as an abiding love of one’s country has been defined as
‘spiritual roots’. Because of his material status, he has to live a certain lifestyle, entertain people who move in the same social circle and must be prepared to do so as his financial circumstances allow. But that does not mean he does not long for a quiet ‘log-cabin’ life, remembering his carefree, non-pressurised working class life, with so many people trying to capitalise on his talent and hard work.
Society, on the whole, will see him as rich and in a higher class (income bracket, really). Oprah W. and Tiger W. (and Michelle Obama) probably feel the same as Paul M. and try to give something back to the communities from which they sprang.
I am absolutely convinced one always remembers one’s roots, and the person who has seen life from both sides of the track is the most fortunate of all, because s/he has experienced both the agony and the ecstasy and later in life can appreciate the outlook of both sides. Unfortunately, many seem to concentrate more on the ecstasy, “scorning the base degrees by which they did ascend”.
I often wonder about my compatriot who married a man of great talent and now moves in the highest social circles.
I remember when her poor father died, leaving his wife to provide for a few small children. My father was an acquaintance of the family and when ‘the boys’ gathered at our home to attend the funeral, they were so concerned about the family’s welfare that they promised to do what they could to help. They need not have worried about the small daughter.
Indeed, let us “wait to see what McCartney means”.
Geralda Dennison

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