Class v. Love

In Edward Jones' "Bad Neighbors," class plays a big role in determining the view of the Benningtons on Eight Street. They were of lesser means, and their neighbors had no problem or qualms. Sharon seems to be the only neighbor with a desire to see the Benningtons for who they really are, but she inevitably buckles under the weight of want for upperclassness and her relationship with the Benningtons fades away in favor for a relationship with the college boy, Terrance Stagg.

Years later, Derek Bennington will say to Sharon, "I lied. I lied. Red wasn't a bad color It was way good enough for you. Any color you put on is a good color, didn't you know that? You make the world. It ain't never been the other way around. You first, then the world follows."

This is a moment of tenderness from the tough Derek as his true feelings are surfacing verbally. Later on, we read that the gift Sharon received one Christmas from Neil might really have been crafted by Derek and delivered by Neil. This reinforces the idea of a longstanding love for Sharon by Derek, who even all this time later is still gentle toward Sharon.

My question is, what significance does class have in relation to love? Why do many people, and in this story Sharon, wish to marry the callous doctor rather than the sincere underclass neighbor?