Change in the Village

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

27518

Title

Change in the Village

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

George Sturt chronicles the transformation of a Surrey valley from a self-sufficient peasant community into a modern residential suburb. Blending sociological observation with personal memoir, the text explores the erosion of traditional rural life, the widening class divide between employers and laborers, and the psychological impact of industrialization on a once-proud working class.

Summary up to 500 words

In *Change in the Village*, George Sturt chronicles the profound transformation of a small English parish between 1861 and 1912, documenting the erosion of a unique 'peasant' way of life. Initially, the community consisted of squatters living independently on the edge of a heath, maintaining a self-reliant existence far removed from the modern industrial world. However, the enclosure of the common in 1861 forced this independent folk to abandon their traditional autonomy. By the turn of the century, the valley had evolved into a suburb of a growing town, its inhabitants shifting from farmers to railway navvies and casual laborers dependent on the town for employment. Sturt contrasts this new reality with the 'old English country' spirit, where masters and men shared a provincial outlook, local skills, and mutual respect. In that earlier era, the employing class was countrified, and work itself offered pride and dignity through the application of local skill and knowledge. The laborers were not viewed as an inferior race but as capable peers within a shared civilization. Sturt details how the social landscape fractured as the employing class evolved into an intellectual elite driven by competitive thrift and wealth, while the laborers remained stagnant. This divergence created a gulf of mutual incomprehension; the new civilization became 'barbaric,' valuing possessions over personal qualities and demanding the laborer become a profitable drudge. The old dialect and customs, once sources of identity, became subjects of derision. Yet, the narrative also captures a slow awakening among the villagers. Sparked by the distress of unemployment following the South African War and the rise of newspapers, the community moved from fatalism to political awareness. They began to understand that poverty was not an act of God but a result of removable causes. Although hindered by poverty and fatigue, the villagers started to think for themselves, breaking away from ancient prejudices. Sturt laments the loss of the quiet, genial atmosphere of the past, noting that modern life has become sordid and anxious. Nevertheless, he views the destruction of the old system not as a tragedy, but as a painful yet necessary prelude to a potential renaissance of the English countryside, hoping that the next generation will achieve a new, modern vitality.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• History
• England
• Rural Life