What socio-economic background did Sophie belong to? What are the indicators of her family’s financial status?

‘Going Places’ details the middle class people with their stages of hardwork, helplessness and satisfaction. They are not well-off people to lead a luxurious life. They belong to a lower middle class family. Two classmates Sophie and Jansie have a lot of difference in their attitudes and temperament of life. Sophie is a sophisticated type of girl who goes on day dreaming and fantasizing. She dreams of having a boutique, becoming an actress and a fashion designer. She goes on looming in the unrealistic life which is far from their approach. Jansie is a practical girl who knows that both are earmarked for the biscuit factory. She urges Sophie to be sensible and she understands the financial and other social implications.

In the lesson one can note that Geoff has to go to a far off place to learn apprentice mechanic. He has left schooling three years earlier. Their father works hard and the drops of sweat are visible on his plump face. He is worried about the welfare and peace of the whole family. It is a poor family where all the domestic chores are done in the family. The ladies do all the washing and other household works and the piles of dirty clothes can be seen near the sink. The people are fond of enjoying matches. Her father goes to the pub on his bicycle to celebrate. All these facts indicate that they belong to a lower middle class family.