”George wanted to abolish the upper classes altogether. She thought the huge houses they lived in were too big for anybody. They ought to be turned into libraries and schools and hospitals. They could easily be converted into apartment buildings that could each house a dozen factory families. Mary, on the other hand, openly coveted that lifestyle. Once she had Marie out of the way, she seemed to have every intention of walking into her house and taking her place.” (357)

Now, I’m no political scientist, and I don’t even think I have the proper language to describe my thoughts, but this feels like such a great simplistic description of modern politics. George is undoubtedly a leftist. Working for the people, with the people in mind. Mary is perhaps more of an authoritarian? I mean, she’s disguising herself as being aligned with the cause that George is promoting, but very clearly doesn’t care about the other people with whom she stands. Plus, she’s got the violent rhetoric in the bag, as explicitly mentioned in the text in the pages leading up to this one.

Would it be better described as simply collectivism versus individualism?

I’d love for anyone who is better versed in the intricacies of political labels to weigh in on this! I know the concepts I’m trying to illustrate but fear I don’t have the right terms to do so 🫶