Final answer:
Members of the middle class rented pineapples as a symbol of status and hospitality, and not necessarily to eat them. Pineapples were expensive and seen as exotic, so displaying them on dinner tables provided a taste of wealth and represented good hospitality.
Step-by-step explanation:
Pineapples were symbols of status in society and displaying one gave people a taste of being wealthy. They were highly valued and expensive, especially in the 18th century. Middle-class families would rent pineapples for special occasions to show off their social status and wealth, even if they couldn't afford to eat them.
In addition, pineapples came to represent hospitality and having one on your dinner table for a party was a symbol of welcome to your guests. It became a popular trend to display these exotic fruits as a sign of good hospitality.
Lastly, pineapples were not commonly eaten during the time when they were rented and displayed. They were seen as exotic and rare, and often used for decoration rather than consumption.
Learn more about pineapple rentals in the 18th century