3.3 Class, status, and performance
7 min read•august 13, 2024
Class, status, and performance are deeply intertwined in society. Our clothes, speech, and cultural activities all signal our social standing. These markers shape how we're perceived and treated by others.
Performance can reinforce or challenge class hierarchies. Media representations and social media posts often perpetuate stereotypes. But art and activism can also critique inequality and create spaces for solidarity across class lines.
Class Performance and Cultural Practices
Visible Markers of Class and Status
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- Clothing, accessories, grooming, and etiquette communicate class and social status through visible symbols
- These markers convey information about an individual's position within a social hierarchy
- Examples of visible class markers include designer clothing (Gucci, Prada), luxury accessories (Rolex watches, Louis Vuitton bags), and refined grooming (manicured nails, expensive haircuts)
Language and Communication as Class Indicators
- Language, accent, and vocabulary choices are powerful indicators of class and social status
- The way one speaks, the words they use, and their manner of expression reveal educational background, , and social circle
- Examples of class-based language differences include the use of standard English versus regional dialects, the incorporation of academic jargon, and the adoption of slang or colloquialisms
Cultural Activities and Class Performance
- Participation in certain cultural activities, such as attending opera performances, art exhibitions, or exclusive social clubs, affirms one's class identity
- These activities often require financial resources and cultural knowledge, serving as barriers to entry for those of lower socioeconomic status
- Examples of class-based cultural activities include attending the Met Gala, being a member of a private country club, or collecting fine art
Media Representations of Class
- Media representations, such as films, television shows, and advertisements, depict and reinforce class stereotypes and expectations
- These portrayals shape public perceptions of class and influence how individuals perform their own class identities
- Examples of class stereotypes in media include the "poor but happy" working-class family, the "evil rich businessman," or the "spoiled trust fund kid"
Social Media and Digital Class Performance
- Social media platforms are important spaces for the performance of class and status
- The content one shares, the brands they associate with, and the online communities they engage with contribute to the construction and communication of class identity in the digital realm
- Examples of class performance on social media include sharing photos of luxury vacations, tagging designer brands in posts, or engaging with exclusive online communities (private Facebook groups, invite-only forums)
Performance and Class Hierarchies
Reinforcing Class Hierarchies through Performance
- Performance can reinforce class hierarchies by reproducing and normalizing the behaviors, tastes, and values associated with dominant class groups
- When these performances are seen as the standard or ideal, they contribute to the marginalization and exclusion of those who do not conform
- Examples of performances that reinforce class hierarchies include the use of "proper" etiquette, the valorization of elite cultural forms (classical music, ballet), and the adoption of upper-class fashion trends
Challenging Class Hierarchies through Performance
- Performance can challenge and subvert class hierarchies by exposing their constructed nature and highlighting the experiences and perspectives of marginalized class groups
- This can be achieved through various forms of artistic expression, such as theater, music, and visual art
- Examples of performances that challenge class hierarchies include working-class theater productions, protest music, and street art that critiques wealth inequality
Satirizing and Destabilizing Class Authority
- Performances that critique or satirize the practices and symbols of the upper classes can destabilize their authority and reveal the absurdity of class-based distinctions
- By mocking or exaggerating these performances, artists encourage audiences to question the legitimacy of class hierarchies
- Examples of class satire in performance include the plays of Bertolt Brecht, the films of Luis Buñuel, and the stand-up comedy of George Carlin
Appropriation and Resistance in Class Performance
- The appropriation and recontextualization of upper-class cultural forms by working-class or marginalized communities can resist class-based oppression and assert alternative identities
- This can be seen in the use of high fashion by subcultural groups or the adaptation of classical music in hip-hop
- Examples of class appropriation in performance include the use of designer clothing in hip-hop fashion, the incorporation of opera in punk music, and the reinterpretation of Shakespeare in postcolonial theater
Creating Spaces of Class Solidarity through Performance
- Performance can create spaces of solidarity and empowerment for those excluded or oppressed by class hierarchies
- Community theater projects, grassroots cultural festivals, and other participatory performances provide opportunities for individuals to come together, share their experiences, and imagine alternative social arrangements
- Examples of class solidarity in performance include working-class theater groups, community murals, and participatory art projects in low-income neighborhoods
Class, Consumption, and Performance
Consumption as Class Performance
- Consumption practices, such as purchasing luxury goods, designer clothing, or exclusive experiences, can perform class identity and status
- The ability to engage in conspicuous consumption serves as a marker of one's economic capital and social position
- Examples of consumption as class performance include driving luxury cars (Bentley, Ferrari), wearing haute couture fashion, and dining at Michelin-starred restaurants
Aspirational Consumption and Class Mimicry
- The relationship between class and consumption is not always straightforward, as individuals may use consumption to aspire to or mimic higher class identities
- Aspirational consumption involves purchasing goods associated with a desired lifestyle or social group
- Examples of aspirational consumption include buying knockoff designer handbags, subscribing to luxury lifestyle magazines, or attending events associated with high-class culture (art auctions, polo matches)
Rejection of Consumerism as Class Performance
- In some contexts, the rejection of consumerism and the embrace of minimalism or anti-consumption practices can perform class identity
- This can be seen in the "voluntary simplicity" movement, which is often associated with middle-class values of sustainability and self-sufficiency
- Examples of anti-consumerist class performance include adopting minimalist lifestyles, shopping at thrift stores, and participating in "buy nothing" groups
Spaces of Class-Based Consumption
- The spaces and contexts in which consumption occurs can also be sites of class performance
- Luxury shopping districts, high-end restaurants, and exclusive resorts cater to and reinforce upper-class identities, while discount stores and fast-food chains are often associated with working-class consumption
- Examples of class-based consumption spaces include Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, the Dubai Mall, and Walmart
Cultural Variations in Class, Consumption, and Performance
- The relationship between class, consumption, and performance can vary across cultural contexts
- In some societies, traditional markers of status, such as land ownership or family lineage, may be more important than consumer goods in signaling class identity
- In others, the acquisition of Western luxury brands may perform modernity and global citizenship
- Examples of cultural variations in class and consumption include the importance of caste in India, the significance of "face" in Chinese society, and the role of tribal affiliations in parts of Africa
Performance and Class Identity
Asserting Class Identity through Performance
- Individuals may use performance to assert their class identity and claim membership in a particular social group
- This can involve adopting the dress, mannerisms, and cultural practices associated with that group, as well as distancing oneself from the markers of other class identities
- Examples of asserting class identity through performance include wearing business attire to signal professional status, adopting a posh accent to indicate upper-class origins, or displaying working-class pride through tattoos or clothing choices
Negotiating Class Identities through Performance
- Performance can be a means of negotiating or navigating between different class identities
- Individuals who experience social mobility or who occupy liminal class positions may use performance to manage the expectations and demands of multiple social contexts
- Examples of negotiating class identities through performance include code-switching between different accents or language styles, selectively revealing or concealing one's background, or strategically adapting one's self-presentation to fit in with different class groups
Code-Switching and Class Navigation
- Code-switching, or the ability to shift one's language, behavior, and self-presentation to suit different social situations, can be a key performance strategy for those navigating class boundaries
- This can involve adjusting one's accent, vocabulary, or cultural references to fit in with different class groups
- Examples of code-switching in class navigation include adopting a more refined accent in professional settings, using slang or colloquialisms with working-class friends, or selectively discussing one's educational background depending on the context
Subverting Class Identities through Performance
- Performance can be used to subvert or resist dominant class identities and hierarchies
- This can involve the use of parody, satire, or other forms of critical performance to expose the contradictions and inequalities of class-based systems
- Examples of subverting class identities through performance include drag performances that critique gender and class norms, street theater that mocks the excesses of the wealthy, or art installations that highlight the experiences of marginalized class groups
Reclaiming and Revaluing Class Identities
- The subversion of class identities through performance can also involve the reclamation or revaluation of stigmatized or marginalized class identities
- This can be seen in the celebration of working-class culture in folk music or the embrace of "ghetto fabulous" aesthetics in hip-hop fashion
- Examples of reclaiming class identities through performance include the use of working-class slang in poetry, the incorporation of blue-collar imagery in visual art, or the celebration of low-income communities in film and television
Individual and Collective Class Performances
- The use of performance to assert, negotiate, or subvert class identities can have both individual and collective dimensions
- While individuals may use performance to navigate their own class positioning, collective performances, such as protests or cultural festivals, can serve to challenge broader class-based inequalities and assert alternative visions of social justice
- Examples of collective class performances include labor union demonstrations, community theater productions that address class issues, or cultural festivals that celebrate working-class heritage
Key Terms to Review (18)
Audience engagement: Audience engagement refers to the interaction and connection between performers and their audience, where the audience is actively involved in the experience of the performance. This relationship enhances the overall impact of the performance and can influence how the message is received, creating a dynamic exchange that shapes both the performance itself and the audience's reactions.
Bourdieu's Theory of Practice: Bourdieu's Theory of Practice is a sociological framework that examines how individual actions and cultural practices are shaped by social structures and the distribution of power within society. It emphasizes the interplay between habitus, capital, and field, revealing how people's social background influences their tastes, behaviors, and access to resources. This theory connects closely with notions of class and status, illustrating how performance is affected by both individual agency and systemic constraints.
Class-based performance: Class-based performance refers to the ways in which an individual's social class influences their style of expression, behavior, and the reception of their performances. This concept highlights how class status can affect the types of performances that are produced, the manner in which they are delivered, and the audiences that engage with them, thereby shaping cultural narratives and social hierarchies.
Cultural Capital: Cultural capital refers to the non-financial social assets that promote social mobility beyond economic means. This includes education, intellect, style of speech, and even tastes in art and music. Cultural capital plays a critical role in how individuals navigate social spaces and is often tied to class and status, influencing one's ability to perform in various cultural contexts.
Cultural Critique: Cultural critique is the examination and evaluation of cultural phenomena, practices, and artifacts with a focus on understanding how they reflect, reinforce, or challenge societal norms and values. It often aims to uncover underlying power dynamics and ideologies within culture, shedding light on issues of identity, representation, and social justice. This critical analysis connects deeply with the ways gender, sexuality, class, and status are performed and perceived in society.
Erving Goffman: Erving Goffman was a Canadian sociologist and a key figure in the field of performance studies, particularly known for his work on the presentation of self in everyday life. His ideas emphasize the notion that social interactions are performed, suggesting that individuals manage their impressions in various social contexts, which connects deeply to concepts of identity, roles, and societal norms.
Feminist perspective: The feminist perspective is a critical framework that examines the ways in which gender, particularly women's experiences and issues, shape social dynamics and cultural practices. It focuses on the systemic inequalities and power imbalances between genders, seeking to understand how these dynamics affect performance and representation in various contexts, including class and status.
Goffman's Dramaturgical Theory: Goffman's Dramaturgical Theory presents social interaction as a theatrical performance, where individuals play roles in front of an audience to manage impressions. This theory emphasizes the importance of context, identity, and the roles that individuals adopt depending on their social environment, revealing how performance is influenced by class and status dynamics within society.
Hegemonic performance: Hegemonic performance refers to the ways in which dominant social groups establish and maintain their power through culturally accepted norms, rituals, and expressions that often reflect their interests. This concept highlights how certain performances reinforce social hierarchies and norms, making them appear natural or inevitable, while marginalizing alternative perspectives. The idea plays a crucial role in understanding how class and status influence the representation and valuation of performances in society.
Identity Politics: Identity politics refers to political positions and movements that are based on the interests and perspectives of social groups with shared identities, such as race, gender, sexual orientation, or class. This concept emphasizes how these identities shape individual experiences and collective struggles within the socio-political landscape, influencing advocacy and representation.
Interviews: Interviews are structured conversations where one person asks questions and another provides answers, often used as a qualitative research method to gather insights about individual experiences, thoughts, and perceptions. This method allows for deep exploration of topics related to personal identity, social roles, and the impact of class and status on performance in various contexts.
Marxist Perspective: The Marxist perspective is a social theory that focuses on the conflict between different social classes, primarily the bourgeoisie (owners of production) and the proletariat (working class). It emphasizes how economic structures shape societal relationships and power dynamics, highlighting issues of inequality, class struggle, and the influence of capitalism on human behavior and culture.
Participant observation: Participant observation is a qualitative research method where the researcher immerses themselves in a community or social setting to observe behaviors and interactions while actively engaging in the daily life of the participants. This approach allows researchers to gain deeper insights into cultural practices, social dynamics, and lived experiences, making it essential in understanding various aspects of performance and its contexts.
Performative privilege: Performative privilege refers to the advantages and benefits that certain individuals or groups experience in social contexts due to their status, identity, or perceived power. This concept highlights how performance can reflect and reinforce social hierarchies, affecting the ways in which people are viewed and treated based on class and status.
Pierre Bourdieu: Pierre Bourdieu was a French sociologist and anthropologist known for his theories on social structures and cultural practices. His work focuses on how various forms of capital—social, cultural, and symbolic—interact to influence individuals' positions within social hierarchies, which is essential to understanding class distinctions and performance in society.
Representation: Representation refers to the way in which individuals or groups depict, embody, or express aspects of identity, culture, and experience through performance or artistic mediums. This concept plays a crucial role in how social dynamics like class and status are perceived and constructed, influencing how audiences understand and relate to different identities and narratives.
Social class: Social class refers to a division of society based on social and economic status, encompassing factors such as wealth, education, occupation, and lifestyle. This concept is essential for understanding how individuals and groups are positioned within a society, influencing their access to resources and opportunities. Social class shapes cultural norms, values, and expectations, affecting people's interactions and performances in various social contexts.
Status performance: Status performance refers to the ways in which individuals enact their social status through behaviors, expressions, and interactions in various contexts. This concept connects to how people project their identities and navigate social hierarchies, showcasing how different statuses influence the expectations and interpretations of their performances in daily life.