Middle-class values

Definition

Middle-class values refer to the set of beliefs, attitudes, and norms that prioritize individualism, hard work, respectability, family, education, and moral responsibility. These values emerged prominently during the 18th century, especially in relation to sentimental comedy and bourgeois drama, where the focus shifted towards the experiences and challenges of the rising middle class, reflecting their aspirations and moral ideals.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Middle-class values were crucial in shaping the themes of 18th-century theatre, reflecting the social changes as this class gained more prominence in society.
2. The emphasis on morality and social responsibility in sentimental comedies often served to elevate the status of middle-class characters, showcasing their virtues over those of the aristocracy.
3. The rise of bourgeois drama marked a shift from aristocratic themes to stories centered around everyday life, challenges, and triumphs experienced by the middle class.
4. Middle-class values promoted education as essential for personal improvement and social mobility, which became a common theme in the narratives of this era.
5. These values often critiqued excesses of both aristocracy and poverty while advocating for a balanced lifestyle grounded in hard work and familial duties.

Review Questions

• How did middle-class values influence the development of sentimental comedy during the 18th century?
  • Middle-class values significantly shaped sentimental comedy by emphasizing themes such as moral integrity, emotional depth, and family relationships. Playwrights crafted characters from the middle class who embodied these virtues, allowing audiences to connect with their struggles and triumphs. This genre not only entertained but also served as a platform to promote the ideals of respectability and personal responsibility that were central to the emerging middle class.
• In what ways did bourgeois drama reflect the aspirations and challenges of the middle class?
  • Bourgeois drama mirrored the aspirations and challenges of the middle class by focusing on relatable characters dealing with everyday conflicts related to love, ambition, and morality. These plays often depicted realistic situations that resonated with audiences who identified with or aspired to a middle-class lifestyle. By portraying these experiences authentically, bourgeois drama underscored the importance of middle-class values such as hard work, family commitment, and ethical living.
• Evaluate the impact of middle-class values on 18th-century theatre's role in society and its reflection on cultural norms.
  • Middle-class values profoundly impacted 18th-century theatre by transforming it into a vehicle for social commentary and moral instruction. This shift allowed theatre to reflect cultural norms that celebrated individual merit and responsibility while critiquing both aristocratic decadence and social inequality. As plays began to spotlight middle-class concerns and morality, they contributed to broader societal changes by validating the experiences of this group and promoting ideals that would shape modern Western culture.

Related terms

Sentimental Comedy: A genre of comedy that emphasizes emotional responses and moral lessons, often featuring middle-class characters who face dilemmas related to love, family, and societal expectations.

Bourgeois Drama: A form of theatrical representation that centers on middle-class life and values, often highlighting the struggles and aspirations of this social class in a realistic manner.

Moral Responsibility: The idea that individuals are accountable for their actions and must adhere to ethical standards that reflect societal norms, particularly emphasized in middle-class narratives.