The Social Climbing Bourgeoisie

 

Through the revolution against the aristocrats the bourgeoisie attempted to

gain the status and privilege of the ruling class.

 

Welcome to the world of the bourgeoisie, a class that walked the line between middle class and aristocracy with image as its balancing pole. The bourgeoisie was a class fighting for freedom from the aristocracy while simultaneously striving to attain the privilege of that class. For their social standing image was crucial. Members of the bourgeoisie utilized fashion to mimic the air of the aristocracy, outings to the theater and the opera to inflate their public image, and appearances at restaurants and casinos to demonstrate their economic status and their aristocratic taste. In addition, members of the bourgeoisie spent many hours promenading through gardens. But in all places a social climbing bourgeoisie must behave with grace in order to fully mimic the noble image, thus proper etiquette was essential. This ironic mix of revolutionary spirit and high society aspirations forms the essence of the bourgeoisie.