[Blumin, Stuart Mack. . Mobility in a nineteenth-century American city: Philadelphia, 1820-1860. series [Philadelphia], 1968.
Call#: Van Pelt Library F158.44 .B49 1968a]

 

Blumin, Stuart Mack. Mobility in a Nineteenth-Century American City Philadelphia, 1820-1860. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania, 1968.

 

This book explores how demographics in Philadelphia shifted in the nineteenth
century. Blumin focuses primarily on the time period before, during, and after
the Civil War arguing that it was this phase in which a major transition occurred
in American culture. 1815-1845 is defined as the period in American history
most characterized by change. Blumin cites the classic popular notion that
the United States "is a country of self-made men" and spends this volume
assessing the accuracy of this statement; he seeks to determine if 1815-1845 was
indeed as 'open' a time period as popular history would suggest. Through archival
data in the form of tables, graphs, and charts, Blumin takes a look at the lives
of each of the social classes in Philadelphia in the nineteenth century. He looks
most carefully at data that reflects socio-economic status as manifest through
the value of real estate, occupation, and annual income. After collecting and
analyzing this data, Blumin determines that the idea that any American can
propel himself up in society by making money (and that the origins of one's
birth are meaningless in the modern era) is very much a myth.

A look into the history of Philadelphia society and historical shifts in general
American demographics helps give a bigger picture of the context in which
"The Philadelphia Story" transpires. Blumin informs his reader that Philadelphia
was a city with extremely stratified social classes for over a century. His
emphasis on the potential for economic mobility but lack of opportunity for
social mobility for the working man in the nineteenth century helps explain
some of the underlying issues that the characters in the film reference. We can better
understand Dexter's social laziness, Tracy's easy grace, George's insecurities, and Mike's
frustrations with the social system in Philadelphia after being briefed on the
historical context that bred these attitudes.