Elitism in Literature

Does anyone feel as if there is a chaste system present in the world of literature. I don’t mean a practical classist regime/system that is implemented as if based upon some truths— but a feeling of superiority harboured by those that read, what they read, and what they consider genres and types of books they would never “deign” to read.

The “intellectual” group, the “pseudo-intellectuals”, and the “common-folk”. These may be some strata that whoever is part of the variable “elite” may make and cast people into.

It is entirely possible that it’s all in my head, and, in fact, may be a reflection of whatever I have deep down— but I can’t shake the sense that there are those that behave in such a way. That there are those that believe they are better than others based on whether or not they read, and the content they choose to consume.

I’m sure there are such circles, though I won’t rule out the possibility of this being the product of my own beliefs— projection, if you will.

I am curious as to what everyone thinks and their thoughts on the matter.