The whole strength of England lies in the fact that the enormous majority of the English people are snobs.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Shaw sarcastically claims England's strength comes from its citizens being socially status-obsessed.
- In plain terms
- England is strong because its people care too much about social rank.
- What can you take from it?
- National strength can be built on conformity and status.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What defines a nation's strength?
- Is snobbery a weakness?
Another view
It generalizes an entire population with a single trait.
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