Final answer:
Members of the eighteenth-century Southern gentry set a cultural standard of aristocratic refinement and luxury.
correct answer is c
Step-by-step explanation:
The members of the eighteenth-century Southern gentry set a cultural standard of aristocratic refinement and luxury. They modeled themselves after the English aristocracy, emphasizing refinement and gentility.
The gentry built elaborate mansions, supported the arts, indulged in luxury goods, and practiced lavish lifestyles to demonstrate their status and power.
correct answer is c