Bourgeois society

Definition

Bourgeois society refers to a social order characterized by the dominance of the middle class, particularly in terms of economic power and cultural influence. This societal structure emerged with the rise of capitalism and is marked by values such as individualism, material wealth, and private property. It played a significant role in shaping various artistic movements that critiqued or reflected the complexities of modern life.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Bourgeois society emerged during the Industrial Revolution, as industrialization created new economic opportunities for the middle class.
2. This social class valued education, hard work, and entrepreneurship, which contributed to its influence on cultural and artistic developments.
3. Many artists in the early 20th century reacted against bourgeois values, viewing them as materialistic and superficial.
4. Bourgeois society is often associated with specific aesthetic preferences in art that reflect its ideals of order, clarity, and harmony.
5. The tension between bourgeois society and more radical movements contributed to significant social and political changes throughout history.

Review Questions

• How did bourgeois society shape the values and practices in art during the late 19th and early 20th centuries?
  • Bourgeois society significantly influenced art during this period by promoting values like individualism, material success, and social responsibility. Many artists began to incorporate themes that reflected everyday life and the experiences of the middle class. However, this also led to a backlash from avant-garde artists who criticized bourgeois ideals as overly conventional and materialistic, pushing for more innovative and radical expressions in their work.
• Discuss the relationship between bourgeois society and the rise of the proletariat in the context of social change.
  • The rise of bourgeois society created a distinct economic divide between the middle class and the proletariat, leading to social tensions and conflicts. The bourgeoisie gained wealth and influence through capitalism while the proletariat struggled with labor exploitation. This dynamic contributed to various social movements advocating for workers' rights and social justice, ultimately laying the groundwork for political ideologies like socialism that sought to address these inequalities.
• Evaluate how artists from movements like German Expressionism responded to bourgeois society's influence on culture.
  • Artists from movements such as German Expressionism critically evaluated bourgeois society by rejecting its conventional aesthetics and focusing on deeper emotional truths. They sought to convey feelings of alienation, anxiety, and disillusionment that arose from modern life under capitalist structures. This critical stance not only reflected their dissatisfaction with societal norms but also aimed to provoke viewers into questioning the moral implications of a materialistic world.

Related terms

Capitalism: An economic system based on private ownership of the means of production and their operation for profit, where the production and pricing of goods are determined by competition in a free market.

Proletariat: The working class in a capitalist society, who do not own the means of production and must sell their labor to survive.

Avant-garde: A term used to describe innovative or experimental ideas in art and culture that challenge established norms and conventions, often associated with movements that emerged in response to bourgeois society.