The play by Strindberg focusses on the conflict Miss Julie a divorced countess is going through and how she exerts her frustration on the manors in the society. In the kitchen, she interrupts Jean and Christine by entering their house without permission. Even though she knew they were engaged, she asked Jean to dance with her at a festival. Jean had no choice and I was wondering, who is Miss Julie and what was her position in the society? Jean quotes, “It don’t look well to prefer one servant to all the rest who are expecting to be honored in the same unusual way”/ As you command, Miss Julie! I am at your service (Strindberg 4). Meaning he was a servant to her richer or noble ranking family and even though, Julie was the daughter of a count, he had to obey her order and his fiancée couldn’t influence his decision.
Servants during the time had no courage to disagree with the countess “When Miss Julie is so gracious, it isn’t for him to say no” Christine allowed Jean go dance with Julie (Strindberg 4). When Jean returned from the dance, he asked Christine if she was mad she responded by saying,” Not for a little thing like that, you know! And also, I know my place. Any count, countess or nobility could intrude into the lives of servants, and servants couldn’t question them (Strindberg 5). Julie also expressed her love for Jean and he suggested he will move with her to Basel or other cities so they can start a new life. He was concerned of what people will say about their relationship and her father’s reaction to it. This conflict created a hesitation for both lovers to be together. All these situations in the plays beginning clearly shows how far servants will go to serve noble families.