French Ways and Their Meaning by Edith Wharton
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"French Ways and Their Meaning" by Edith Wharton is a contemplative work that blends observational essays with cultural analysis, likely written in the early 20th century. The book reflects on the fundamental differences between French and American societies, particularly in light of the changes brought about by World War I. Wharton explores intrinsic qualities of the French character, such as taste, reverence, and intellectual honesty, presenting them as valuable traits that Americans
can learn from in their own search for cultural identity. The opening of the book establishes a framework for understanding these themes, as Wharton reflects on her experiences in France during the war. She discusses the challenges of forming accurate impressions amidst social upheaval, comparing the superficial judgments often formed by transient visitors to the deeper truths that arise from sustained engagement with a culture. Wharton acknowledges the initial confusion and contradictions an American might encounter and emphasizes the need for a nuanced appreciation of French customs. The first chapter suggests that through genuine contact and understanding, one can begin to appreciate the rich tapestry of French life and its profound differences from American experiences. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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About this eBook
| Author | Wharton, Edith, 1862-1937 |
|---|---|
| Title | French Ways and Their Meaning |
| Contents | Preface -- First impressions -- Reverence -- Taste -- Intellectual honesty -- Continuity -- The new Frenchwoman -- In conclusion. |
| Credits | E-text prepared by Mary Glenn Krause, Martin Pettit, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team (www.pgdp.net) from page images generously made available by Internet Archive (archive.org) |
| Reading Level | Reading ease score: 48.6 (College-level). Difficult to read. |
| Language | English |
| LoC Class | DC: History: General and Eastern Hemisphere: France, Andorra, Monaco |
| Subject | France -- Civilization |
| Subject | National characteristics, French |
| Category | Text |
| eBook-No. | 57786 |
| Release Date | Aug 28, 2018 |
| Copyright | Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads | 342 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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