What would be the likely connotation of the term "rabble" in literature?

The term "rabble" typically carries a negative connotation, referring to a disorganized or unruly group of people often characterized as coarse, disrespectful, or lacking refinement. In literature, this term is frequently used to depict a crowd or populace that is seen as lower class or lacking in sophistication and manners. This portrayal can serve to highlight themes of social class, mob mentality, or the chaos that can arise from a group that is not guided by order or intellectual thought.

In contrast, the other options present much more positive or neutral groupings: a noble class denotes aristocracy and respect, wealthy individuals imply affluence and status, and the intellectual elite suggests a class characterized by high education and thoughtful discourse. None of these alternatives capture the essence of "rabble" as they lack the disrespectful and coarse undertones that define that term.