Context of Home to Harlem

Throughout the entire novel, there is a defining perspective of toughness and frustration associated with the working class in Harlem.  Historically, Harlem has been an area of New York City consisting of mostly working class/lower middle class families that must struggle to keep food on the table and often find work in menial or labor intensive tasks such as factory work or becoming a maid for a wealthier family.  The main character of Home to Harlem, Jake, is often frustrated by the fact that he can't seem to get further than the place he's in, whether this be romantically or financially.  In your personal opinion, does being in the middle class make someone more frustrated and/or ignorant, or more humble and open-minded?