ABSTRACT
This chapter presents two case studies reflecting the ideological evolution of Jamaica's middle class. Miss Furneaux presents the conservative position wherein the Jamaican middle class is seen as the source not merely of Jamaican culture, but also the source of a moral position which not even the democratic state ought to challenge. She regards education as an ascriptive characteristic, imbued at birth or lost forever. For her, the formal training of the school system cannot change the working class. Mr. Stove rejects the moral stance of the conservative ideology and presents the social democratic views of one who believes in justice and equality. However, this should be an equality of opportunity and achievement; a social revolution wherein schools will be the major vehicle. Mr. Stove believes that those who do not succeed in this individualist revolution are culpable for their position and ultimately comes to deny his own egalitarian stand.
