Customs in Common

E.P. Thompson's main thesis is that in 18th-century England there was a tacit agreement of social behaviour and stability between the gentry and the poor. Both were allowed to take certain measures to achieve their aims – the gentry did it via the parliament, and the poor via civil disobedience. Most interesting, however, was the symbolic struggle, or cultural struggle – what E.P. Thompson calls the theatre and counter-theatre. The theatre meant the social attitudes – the gentry had its wigs, its fancy outfits, and its arrogant attitude, and the poor had their popular culture. This was a way to channel power and discontent through cultural manifestations.