Final answer:
John Bargrave's Cabinet is a representation of the self and the concept of semiophore man. Bargrave, a man of science, saw collecting as a bourgeoisie activity. The cabinet survived due to its unique placement and its unexceptional appearance.
Step-by-step explanation:
The subject of the question is the representation of the self in John Bargrave's Cabinet. The cabinet, created by John Bargrave in 1650, is a physical representation of the concept of semiophore man, someone who creates units of meaning. Bargrave's cabinet contained assorted objects, chosen because he was poor. Despite its unexceptional appearance, the cabinet survived due to its placement in an unusual location. Bargrave saw collecting as a bourgeoisie activity and considered himself a man of science with a focus on the senses and optics.