The Mouse Essay

In the satirical short story, “The Mouse” by Saki, Theodoric Voler can be analyzed through a socioeconomic lens, as it explores the concept of class and power. Theodoric is a sheltered man who is out of touch with the world outside his limited experiences. His lack of skills and knowledge can be attributed to his privileged upbringing, which has shielded him from deeper human connection and forced him to rely on others for his needs. According to Standford University, “classism is the institutional, cultural, and individual set of practices and beliefs that assign differential value to people according to their socioeconomic class”. One of the main ways in which classism is a result of socioeconomics is through the creation of social hierarchies.

Reflection of privilege is extremely prevalent in this quote and further reflects the ideas of class in relation to the text. Theodoric has been coddled by his mother and sheltered from the adversity and difficulty experienced by individuals of lower socio-economic status. The fact that Theodoric is a male indicates that he has been raised with slightly more power than his mother, in which his gender alone gives him “special privileges” and access to resources that are not available to those of other genders. In this way, his mother's efforts to keep him "screened from the coarser realities of life" fits into a larger pattern of class. This quote speaks to the power dynamics between classes and genders, and how this kind of power imbalance is perpetuated through the educational experiences of privileged

The narrative of Theodoric serves as a powerful representation of the pervasiveness and impact of classism on individuals and their relationships within a society. Through the experiences and self-awareness of Theodoric, the story illustrates how the rigid confines of social classes can distort one's understanding of themselves and their worth. The depiction of Theodoric's interactions with others exposes the prejudiced and, at times, cruel nature of human behavior when influenced by societal perceptions of class. The story prompts significant reflection on the consequences of such a mindset, such as the fostering of resentment, division, and discrimination. By examining these consequences, Saki emphasizes the detrimental aspects of a class-based society where individuals are conditioned to evaluate both themselves and others primarily based on their socioeconomic standings. Theodoric’s increasingly nuanced self-awareness of his position in the social hierarchy offers a compelling lens through which to explore the complexities of navigating a world shaped by class