Question

a striking feature of the salons was that a. philosophes, nobles, and members of the upper middle class intermingled. b. members of the working classes often attended. c. clerics were banned. d. they were often sponsored by the government.

Answer 1

The correct answer is a. In the salons, a striking feature was that philosophes (intellectuals), nobles, and members of the upper middle class intermingled. Salons were social gatherings held in private homes, usually hosted by wealthy and influential women, where intellectuals, artists, and members of the elite would come together to engage in intellectual discussions and cultural activities. These gatherings provided a unique space for individuals from different social classes to interact and exchange ideas, promoting social cohesion and intellectual exchange during the Enlightenment period. Members of the working classes were generally not part of these salons, and clerics were not necessarily banned but may not have been the primary participants. The salons were typically privately organized and sponsored, rather than by the government.