CHAPTER 26 – The Climber

In Chapter 26 of “Worldly Ways and Byways,” the narrative delves into the antics and aspirations of social climbers during the late 19th century, a period marked by pervasive ambition to ascend the social ladder, an ambition viewed with a blend of amusement and critique. The chapter opens by contrasting genuine ambition, seen in individuals striving to improve their lot for noble reasons, with the frivolous endeavor of social climbing for mere exclusivity. The author portrays social climbers as individuals obsessed with infiltrating elite circles, not for tangible benefits but solely for the prestige of association with exclusivity. This ambition is ridiculed for its lack of substance and the disproportionate efforts applied towards achieving what is essentially a trivial aim.

The chapter offers vivid illustrations of how climbers, particularly women, navigate the social terrain, often beginning as outsiders eager for acceptance among the elite. Their initial naïveté and indiscriminate socializing lead to early setbacks, but they quickly learn to strategize, leveraging connections, talents, or even material gifts to gain favor with influential figures. One example details a climber’s methodical approach to securing a “dear friend” within high society, using flattery and gifts to forge a pivotal alliance that facilitates her entry into exclusive circles.

Further illustrations of successful climbers depict them employing various talents or advantageous marriages to secure their place among the elite. Once established, climbers often adopt an even greater air of exclusivity, paradoxically decrying the very societal openness that facilitated their ascent. Their newfound elitism is painted as a protective measure to preserve the exclusivity that initially attracted them, thus maintaining the “market value” of their social standing.

The chapter closes by reflecting on the insatiable nature of the climber’s ambition. Despite achieving their goals, climbers find little satisfaction, often abandoning their newfound peers in pursuit of newer, more challenging conquests abroad. Their relentless pursuit of social elevation, likened to an addiction or a compulsion, reveals a deep-seated restlessness and a disconnection from genuine social bonds, ultimately portraying the climber’s journey as one marked by superficial successes but devoid of true fulfillment.