Bourgeois values

Definition

Bourgeois values refer to the cultural, moral, and social norms associated with the middle class that emerged in capitalist societies, particularly during the 19th century. These values typically emphasize individualism, material success, work ethic, family stability, and a belief in progress. In the context of avant-garde movements and manifestos, bourgeois values are often critiqued for their perceived emphasis on conformity and a lack of appreciation for experimental or radical artistic expression.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Bourgeois values became prominent during the Industrial Revolution when the middle class gained economic power and cultural influence.
2. These values are often associated with consumerism and materialism, where success is measured by wealth accumulation and social status.
3. Avant-garde movements emerged partly as a reaction against bourgeois values, seeking to redefine art and challenge societal norms.
4. Critics of bourgeois values argue that they promote mediocrity and suppress creativity by prioritizing conventional standards of beauty and taste.
5. Many avant-garde manifestos explicitly reject bourgeois values, calling for radical change in both art and society to embrace innovation over tradition.

Review Questions

• How do bourgeois values influence artistic expression within avant-garde movements?
  • Bourgeois values shape artistic expression by promoting conventional norms and styles that emphasize commercial viability and mass appeal. In contrast, avant-garde movements often reject these standards, favoring experimentation and innovation. This opposition creates a tension where avant-garde artists seek to challenge or subvert the expectations set by bourgeois culture, pushing boundaries in ways that may not align with mainstream tastes.
• Analyze how the critique of bourgeois values by avant-garde artists reflects broader social changes during their emergence.
  • The critique of bourgeois values by avant-garde artists mirrors significant social changes occurring during their time, including shifts toward modernity, industrialization, and the rise of individualism. As societies transitioned from agrarian economies to urban centers, traditional norms were challenged. Avant-garde artists responded to this transformation by questioning the status quo and advocating for new forms of expression that aligned with contemporary realities rather than outdated bourgeois ideals.
• Evaluate the impact of bourgeois values on the accessibility and reception of avant-garde art in society.
  • Bourgeois values significantly impact how avant-garde art is received and accessed in society. These values often prioritize mainstream tastes that align with established norms, making it challenging for avant-garde works to gain acceptance among broader audiences. This creates a divide where innovative art is sometimes viewed as elitist or inaccessible, limiting its potential influence on cultural discourse while simultaneously fueling ongoing debates about artistic merit and societal progress.

Related terms

Capitalism: An economic system characterized by private ownership of the means of production and the pursuit of profit, which significantly influenced the rise of bourgeois values.

Avant-Garde: Artistic movements that seek to challenge established norms and push boundaries, often in opposition to bourgeois values and traditional forms of art.

Proletariat: The working class who sell their labor for wages and are often contrasted with the bourgeoisie, particularly in discussions about social class struggles.