In David Mitchell's novel "The Bone Clocks," the author explores the stark divide between social classes and the mechanisms that maintain this disparity. One poignant quote highlights the elite's reliance on inadequate state schools to keep gifted children from lower socioeconomic backgrounds from infiltrating their privileged circles. This reflects a broader theme of societal structures designed to preserve wealth and status within a select group.

Mitchell illustrates how education can serve as a barrier, preventing talented individuals from achieving upward mobility. The idea that elite classes impose limitations on education for the working-class serves as a critique of a system that prioritizes the maintenance of privilege over equal opportunities for all children, regardless of their background. It underscores the need for systemic change to create a more equitable society.