The 19th century was a transformative era for French society, particularly in Paris. As the city underwent rapid industrialization and urbanization, economic inequality and class conflict became a vital issue. The city’s evolution from a medieval urban center to a modern metropolis was marked by the emergence of distinct social classes. The bourgeoisie, a name given to newly wealthy industrialists, merchants, and professionals were at the forefront of change, challenging the traditional dominance of the aristocracy. The working class, comprising laborers, artisans, and factory workers, bore the brunt of industrialization. The opulent homes and squalid apartments portrayed in The Ladies’ Paradise mirror the stark disparities between the social classes. The social hierarchy, once firmly rooted in ancestry, faced disruption by an emerging capitalist economy. Zola’s novels, particularly those in the Rougon-Macquart cycle, vividly portray class conflict in Paris. Zola exposes the harsh realities faced by the working class, illustrating the struggle for survival in an increasingly industrialized and capitalistic society.

The 19th century witnessed the rise of consumerism as a driving force behind economic growth and social change. The Industrial Revolution led to an unprecedented surge in production, resulting in a plethora of low-cost goods that could be distributed through new technologies such as railroads and steamships.