I greet you, my educated fellow bourgeois, whose interests and whose doubts I share

I greet you, my educated fellow bourgeois, whose interests and whose doubts I share

Cyril Connolly was a British intellectual and literary critic known for his sharp wit and insightful commentary on society and culture. In his work, Connolly often addressed the concerns and anxieties of the bourgeois class, of which he himself was a member. His famous quote, "I greet you, my educated fellow bourgeois, whose interests and whose doubts I share," encapsulates his understanding of the struggles and contradictions inherent in the lives of the middle class.

The bourgeois class, as Connolly saw it, was caught between the demands of tradition and the pressures of modernity. On one hand, they were expected to uphold the values of respectability and social status that had been passed down through generations. On the other hand, they were confronted with the rapid changes and uncertainties of the modern world, which challenged their beliefs and assumptions about the nature of society and the individual.

In addressing his "educated fellow bourgeois," Connolly acknowledged the intellectual curiosity and critical thinking that were characteristic of this class. He recognized that they were not content to simply accept the status quo, but were constantly questioning and seeking to understand the world around them. At the same time, he understood their doubts and insecurities, as they grappled with the contradictions and complexities of their own lives.

Connolly's empathy for the bourgeois class stemmed from his own experiences and struggles. As a writer and critic, he was acutely aware of the tensions between art and commerce, creativity and conformity, that defined the lives of the middle class. He understood the desire for success and recognition, as well as the fear of failure and rejection that haunted many of his contemporaries.