Meaning: George Grosz, a prominent German artist and critic of the bourgeois society, made this statement to highlight the use of culture as a tool for the bourgeoisie and the petty bourgeoisie to maintain their power and suppress the rising proletariat. This quote reflects Grosz's perspective on the role of culture in reinforcing class divisions and perpetuating the existing social order.

The term "bourgeoisie" refers to the capitalist class that owns the means of production and wields economic and political power in society. The "petty bourgeoisie" comprises small business owners, professionals, and white-collar workers who, while not as economically dominant as the bourgeoisie, still benefit from the capitalist system. In contrast, the "proletariat" refers to the working class, who labor for wages and lack ownership of the means of production.

Grosz's assertion that the bourgeoisie and the petty bourgeoisie have armed themselves with "culture" indicates their use of cultural institutions, practices, and values to maintain their privileged positions and suppress the proletariat. The concept of culture as a weapon in class struggle aligns with the Marxist perspective, which emphasizes the role of ideology and cultural hegemony in perpetuating class inequality.

In the context of Grosz's quote, "culture" encompasses a wide range of elements, including art, literature, education, and social norms. The bourgeoisie and the petty bourgeoisie utilize these cultural resources to shape and reinforce a worldview that justifies and perpetuates their dominance. This can be seen in the ways in which they control and influence artistic and intellectual production, educational systems, and media narratives to promote their interests and maintain social hierarchies.

Artists like Grosz were keenly aware of the ways in which the cultural sphere was co-opted by the ruling classes to serve their interests. Grosz himself was known for his satirical and critical depictions of the bourgeois society, exposing its decadence, corruption, and exploitation of the working class. Through his art, Grosz sought to unmask the hypocrisy and immorality of the bourgeoisie, challenging the dominant cultural narratives that upheld their authority.

Grosz's emphasis on the use of culture as a tool of oppression also speaks to the broader debate about the role of culture in society. In Marxist theory, culture is not viewed as a neutral or independent realm but as deeply intertwined with the economic and social relations of a given society. As such, cultural production and consumption are shaped by the interests and values of the ruling class, serving to perpetuate existing power structures.

Moreover, the quote reflects Grosz's recognition of the potential of culture as a form of resistance and emancipation for the proletariat. By exposing the ways in which culture is weaponized by the ruling classes, Grosz implicitly calls for a reclamation of culture by the oppressed and exploited. This echoes the broader Marxist call for cultural and ideological struggle as integral components of the larger class struggle.

In conclusion, George Grosz's quote sheds light on the instrumentalization of culture by the bourgeoisie and the petty bourgeoisie to fortify their positions of power and subdue the rising proletariat. It underscores the critical role of cultural institutions and practices in perpetuating class divisions and serves as a reminder of the potential for culture to be a site of both oppression and liberation in the broader struggle for social change.