The Middle-Class Gentleman

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Molière, 1622-1673

Contributor:

Jones, Philip Dwight

Standardized Title:

Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme. English

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource : multiple file formats

Place of Publication:

Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg,

Summary:

"The Middle-Class Gentleman" by Molière is a comedic play written during the late 17th century. The story revolves around Monsieur Jourdain, a wealthy bourgeois who aspires to rise in social status and become a gentleman. Molière humorously critiques the pretensions of the middle class as they seek to imitate the nobility, highlighting the absurdities of social climbing. The beginning of the play introduces Monsieur Jourdain as he engages in preparations for a lavish entertainment, including hiring masters for music, dance, and fencing. His enthusiasm for blending in with the aristocracy is palpable, yet his lack of understanding and taste leads to comical situations. As he dons his new court attire, he seeks validation from his masters, who exploit his naivety for profit. The dynamic between Jourdain, his critical wife Madame Jourdain, and the various masters sets the stage for a satire of class and ambition, establishing both humor and social commentary early on. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Credits:

Produced by Philip Dwight Jones, and David Widger

Notes:

Reading ease score: 84.8 (6th grade). Easy to read.

Wikipedia page about this book: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_Bourgeois_gentilhomme

Release date is 2001-12-01