Town and Gown

Town and gown refers specifically to those living in Cambridge who are unaffiliated with the university and those who are, respectively. The word "townee" is a derogatory name for those who live in town. Whereas gown refers, of course, to an academic gown. The history of town vs. gown in Cambridge spans some six hundred years. The basis of this tension is a feeling that those who attend and work for the university somehow believe that they are superior to those who do not. In Elizabeth George's novel, however, most of the animosity lies with those who live in town. A university the size of Cambridge in such a small city is likely to be a major contributor to the local economy, as well as an entity with a substantial amount of influence over local governmental policy and policing. In addition, there is an undercurrent of...