Concetti Chiave
- The middle class began gaining significance from the sixteenth century, eventually merging with the aristocracy after 1688.
- Unlike the French Revolution, England saw a peaceful integration of the middle class with the aristocracy.
- Wealthy tradesmen and manufacturers acquired estates and parliamentary seats, aligning interests with the aristocracy.
- Intermarriages between the middle class and aristocracy further unified their commercial, agricultural, and industrial interests.
- Daniel Defoe's "Robinson Crusoe" exemplifies the worldview and values of the emerging middle class.
The Rise of the Middle Class
The middle class had been increasing in importance since the sixteenth century and after the glorious revolution of 1688, it gradually merged with the aristocracy. There was no violent conflict between the two classes as a century later in France with the revolution. In England rich tradesmen and manifacturers bought estates and with them seats in the parliament, while her sons and daughters married into the aristocracy. This meant that gradually the interests of both the classes became the same: they Joined forces, in commercial, agriculture or industrial ventures.
Literary Example
We can find a example of this vision of the world in Robinson crusoe by Defoe: it's the perfect novel that shows the uses and the conception of world for the new Middle Class (Robinson is from middle class).
Domande da interrogazione
- How did the middle class in England integrate with the aristocracy after the Glorious Revolution of 1688?
- What distinguishes the English integration of the middle class and aristocracy from the French experience?
- How does "Robinson Crusoe" by Defoe reflect the values of the new middle class?
After the Glorious Revolution of 1688, the middle class in England gradually merged with the aristocracy without violent conflict. Rich tradesmen and manufacturers bought estates and parliamentary seats, and their families intermarried with the aristocracy, aligning their interests in various ventures.
Unlike in France, where the integration of the middle class and aristocracy led to a violent revolution, in England, the process was peaceful. The middle class and aristocracy joined forces in commercial, agricultural, and industrial ventures, aligning their interests without conflict.
"Robinson Crusoe" by Defoe exemplifies the worldview and values of the new middle class. The novel portrays the middle class's practical and enterprising spirit, as seen through the character of Robinson, who embodies the middle class's approach to life and work.
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