The Ruling Class

The Ruling Class Summary | Prologue Summary

The 13th Earl of Gurney, attending a formal banquet, proposes a toast to the glory of England. The National Anthem plays as the scene changes to the Earl's bedroom where Tucker, the Earl's manservant, helps him undress. Their conversation reveals that the Earl's father took the room's ornate bed all over the world with him. The Earl's older brothers have all been killed, leaving him with the title, and the Earl plans to get married again to someone named Grace Shelley in order to produce a new heir. There are indications that Jack, the Earl's son, is unsuitable.

As the Earl talks about the tedium of duty, Tucker prepares a noose of silk rope, hanging at just the right height, and a set of portable steps. The Earl orders his usual whisky and soda, and Tucker goes out. As he talks about memories of his father and of family traditions, the Earl dresses in a ballet dancer's skirt, a three-cornered hat and a ceremonial sword. He climbs the steps and then places his head in the noose. He talks about a woman whose love he remembers and comments on how worms are eating their way through her body. He calls her to him and then steps off the steps. He kicks and struggles for a moment and then puts his feet back on the steps. Gasping for breath, he speaks of the glimpses he caught of death. He wonders what more there is to see, realizes he's got time to try and steps off again. This time, he accidentally knocks over the steps and can't get himself out of the noose. He spasms violently, and then he dies. As his body swings at the end of the rope, Tucker comes in with whisky and soda on a tray. He sees the body and swears loudly.