Generally, in industrial activity, the factors of production are needed in producing goods and services. Eyiyere argues that the factors of production are nature, labor and capital. Labor is an active resource which is one of the factors in the smoothness of a production process. Workers in their activity should be supported by good, human forms of management work so that they can work well. However, in reality, many employers exploit their workers. Exploitation of one social class by another is seen in industrial capitalism. Capitalist society is confronted by an economic contradiction that shapes the class distinction and creates class conflicts. Isaac also maintains that the relations between the social classes are relations of power, where the capitalist class has power over the working class. Labor is not considerate as equal partners, but an object for capitalists interest. The economic and power contradiction between the
social classes has caused the exploitation of labor, where the capitalist treats labor unjustly for his own advantage. Labor exploitation is happened because in capitalist society, the means of production are privately owned by a minority of the members of society who tend to employ these means in such a way to maximize the profit. In capitalist system, the capitalist search for higher profit. Private property gives power to the capitalist and allows him to use his labor to obtain more profit and wealth. The above questions also appear in literary works, since literature reflects human life or the attitude of society. Wellek and Werren states that literature is mirror or expression of life. Based on the illustration of the background above, the aim of this research is to describe the class distinction in the capitalist society depicted in the novel Serena by Ron Rash, as well as the exploitation of work in the capitalist system.