Differences in the Lives of Bourgeois and Peasants

 Madison Blackburn

Geography 101

March 16, 2021

The Differences between Peasants and Bourgeois

The readings, “The Eaters and the Eaten” and “The Body and the Reproduction of Femininity” were both very interesting and great reads. I personally found the reading, “The Eaters and the Eaten” to be more interesting and felt like our world can relate to it so much. 

Peasants and Bourgeois live completely different lifestyles. Peasants' lives are much more difficult and have more effort put into it. Oftentimes, peasants are more grateful for things and appreciative of even the smallest acts of kindness. Bourgeois pretty much live the luxurious life where they don’t have to put much work in, but still get to enjoy life and get nice things. 

The difference in lives that peasants and bourgeois have, even affects their meals. Peasants are often spending most of their money on food for their family and have little to none left over. They also share silverware and dinner plates sometimes. Another thing they do, is they reuse the same plate for different meals. This is completely the opposite from bourgeois lives. Bourgeois always have nice meals and their food is always the top brand that is worth the most. They often host dinner parties at their large houses and use new plates for every meal and do not share or reuse anything. 

With a life where everything is basically handed to you like bourgeois, you learn to just be accustomed to it. Bourgeois people aren’t appreciative of small acts of kindness or gifts that don’t meet their high standards. They expect the most out of everyone else, but themselves. Peasant people are different, they are appreciative of almost anything and don’t expect things from others. Peasants have to work for their rewards, they aren’t just handed everything. 

This is how our world works. It is unfortunate that there has to be a major difference but there is, and it is everywhere. In conclusion, this reading described how the bourgeois and peasant lives differed, especially when it came to serving meals or having dinner guests.