Jack the Ripper & the Victorian under class

In the late 19th century, an unidentified serial killer dubbed ‘Jack the Ripper’ roamed the streets of the largely impoverished Whitechapel area (the slums) preying on women. His victims were those of the impoverished under class – specifically, women earning income as prostitutes. The rapid urbanization simulated by Industrial Revolution in combination with the large influx of people in Britain in the 19th century led to the development of a massive economic under class. The huge population increase added to the overcrowding and the already worsening work and housing conditions. This poverty drove many women to prostitution. In October 1888, there was an estimated 1,200 prostitutes “of very low class” resident in Whitechapel and about 62 brothels (wiki). The social classes can be distinguished by inequalities in areas including (but not limited to) power, wealth, working and living conditions and life-styles. Among the classes are the: upper class, middle class, working class (divided between skilled and unskilled labor), and at the bottom of the heap is the under class. Those in the Victorian under class consisted of the homeless and prostitutes. Individuals of the underclass lived in poverty and were much more susceptible to exploitation, and were therefore exploited (victorian web).

Victorian Era, Jack the Ripper, Social Class,