“The Necklace” - Paris in the 19th Century (Social Classes) Link to social classes in Paris during the 19th Century: http://gallery.sjsu.edu/Paris/social_classes/upper/index.html

Pre-reading Activity: Answer the following questions about the social classes in Paris during the 1800s, and remember, check the appropriate links for the answers. The Upper Class: 1. How did upper class Parisian women often spend their time? They spent their time at operas and Concerts. 2. What was visually notable about upper class Parisian women? The women were very elite and proper. The Middle Class: 1. What caused an explosion in middle class population in Paris during the 1800s? There were lots of job openings that brought in a lot of people. 2. How did artists depict middle class Parisian women during the 1800s? They were shown outdoor in their public and private environment. The Lower Class: 1. What skills were primarily used by the lower class Parisians during the 1800s? They used their physical skills more than their mental skills. 2. What were some of the jobs lower class Parisian women held during the 19th century? They were peasants, seamstresses, shop keepers, wet nurses, and maids.