The mandate of history can be described as the study of the actions, successes and failures of our ancestors with the aim that students acquire the ability to understand the parallels between modern times and our ancestral past. This study is carried out in the hope of enlightening the mind of the learner, in order to avoid repeating the mistakes made in the past. Norman Cantor was a professor at New York University where he taught history, sociology and comparative literature. After retiring from teaching, he wrote a series of books illuminating his life's work. One of his last published literary works was "The Last Knight, the Twilight of the Middle Ages and the Birth of the Modern Era." In this profound and profoundly illuminating novel, he discusses the lives of John of Gaunt and his family, and the wealth and privileges bestowed upon them simply for being born into the nobility. For an educated mind, he managed to establish parallels between the elites of today's high society and that of this landed aristocracy of the Middle Ages, not only in a comparative analysis of their wealth but in the desire to maintain the status quo when it comes to division. social classes. The study of the social interactions of society has led to very important theories about the social structure of a given society. Karl Marx, considered the father of conflict theory, asserted that in any society there is a division into social classes, where one group gains and maintains control over other groups, often exploiting those of lower social rank. This consequently leads to conflict between social classes in a struggle to gain or retain power. The names of these distinct social classes have changed over time, but their defining character...... middle of paper ......t offers similarities between ancient cultures and modern times. There will always be a division of social classes. Power, prestige, and wealth mostly seem to be consistent in nature. As with any form of power over others, there will be abuses of the power granted. Even if the possibility of removing this aggressor from power has become easier over the centuries, there still exists a certain discrimination between social classes. The only weapon capable of ending social injustice is an enlightened and educated mind. Norman Cantor's book clearly shows that although society appears to be progressing and changing, its social constructs remain relatively unchanged. Works Cited Cantor, Norman F. The Last Knight: The Twilight of the Middle Ages and the Birth of the Modern Era. New York: Free Press, 2004. Print. (p.. 191, 168, 40, 214)