urbanization and westward expansion in gilded age, history assignment help

1. symbolic role did the West have in shaping American culture? How did the "imaginary West" differ from the reality of life in the West?

2. How did the definition of “middle class” change in the late 1800s? What new groups were included? What groups were obviously excluded? How might an individual display “middle class” status during the late 1800s? What concerns or values might identify an individual as “middle class”? How were certain goods promoted to such customers?