Introduction
The sentences by Hellman and Lilley call for a discussion of the impact that interior design had on the identity and social dynamics of the French aristocracy in the eighteenth century.
Hellman’s Quote Analysis
The sentence by Hellman (p. 23) is as follows: “The elite body was thus doubly disciplined by fashion, shaped by both its decorative dressing and its decorated environment.” The sentence is important because it encapsulates the key idea that the elite’s physical appearance and the space in which they lived influenced their identities. The sentence can be linked to the Argument component of the STEAM model as it clarifies the author’s main point. The sentence in question makes the author’s point clear by saying that the decorated environment and fashion both served to discipline the aristocratic body.
Lilley’s Phrase Analysis
Lilley’s sentence, “The boudoir has become associated with light-hearted fictions of upper-class amorous dalliance, but it can, and arguably should, be treated rather more seriously” (p. 193), is rather intriguing. This sentence notes misconceptions about the boudoir, historically associated with sensuality, and doubts this perception. It calls for a re-evaluation of the historical significance of the boudoir, which makes it somewhat controversial. This sentence belongs to the Argument component of the STEAM model. It leads to the author’s key point by portraying the boudoir as a place deserving of a more in-depth analysis. The thesis gives the reader a clear indication of where the author stands.
Conclusion
To sum up, the analyzed sentences by Hellman and Lilley discuss the influence of interior design on the identity of the French elite of the eighteenth century. The two sentences belong to the argument section of the STEAM model; they sum up the central ideas of the works. These sentences encourage the re-evaluation of long-held beliefs and strengthen their texts’ main points on the complexity of aristocratic life.