Joe Lampton is a fictional character from the novel "Room at the Top," written by John Braine in 1957. He is portrayed as an ambitious young man from a working-class background who seeks to rise in social status and wealth. The story is set in post-war England, reflecting the class struggles of the time. Throughout the novel, Joe navigates his relationships and career in the industrial town of Warley. His desire for upward mobility leads him to make morally ambiguous choices, highlighting the conflicts between personal ambition and ethical considerations in a changing society.