CHAPTER 38 – A Conquest of Europe

The Chapter 38 of “Worldly Ways and Byways” presents a satirical account of the “discovery” of Europe by Americans around 1850, framing it as a pivotal event in modern history. Initially, the European populations are depicted as naive and content in their simple lives, largely untouched by the “vices and benefits of modern civilization” as known in America. The text humorously contrasts the Europeans’ ancient crafts and modest architectural achievements with America’s industrial advancements, suggesting Europeans were unaware of newer, more efficient materials and methods.

The arrival of Americans in Europe is portrayed as a conquest, where the naive and polite Europeans, unfamiliar with American business practices like “corners” and advanced advertising techniques, are taken aback by the Americans’ seemingly limitless wealth and appetite for splendor at low costs. Europeans initially welcome Americans, offering their services and goods in the belief that all Americans were wealthy. However, this welcoming attitude soon sours as Europeans realize the detrimental effects of American presence—rising prices, exploitation of credit, and the aggressive acquisition of European art and furniture, paralleling historical plunders by conquerors of past eras.

In an ironic twist, the Europeans begin to outsmart their conquerors by selling them worthless imitations of valuable goods at high prices, exploiting the Americans’ desire to acquire and own European culture. The chapter also touches on earlier cultural invasions by the English, comparing them to the American wave, with both showing little regard for local customs and contributing to a cultural clash.

The narrative progresses to depict a shift in European tolerance as Americans, desiring the prestige of being accepted into the old aristocratic societies, fail to understand that their wealth and attempts to assimilate cannot buy them genuine acceptance. The American women’s efforts to integrate, through lavish spending and adapting to European customs and morals, are met with resistance and exclusion, further fueling the Americans’ desire for acceptance and leading to a deep-seated resentment.

The chapter concludes by reflecting on the consequences of this cultural clash, noting how American diplomats, often ill-suited for their roles, exacerbated tensions abroad. It highlights the transformation of American expat communities into refuges for the “socially and financially bankrupt.” In a final act of “revenge” against French cultural snobbery, Americans begin adapting French plays for the American stage without acknowledgment of the original authors, symbolizing a continuing cycle of cultural appropriation and misunderstanding.

This account satirizes both the American and European perspectives on cultural superiority, the consequences of cultural imperialism, and the deep misunderstandings and appropriations that result from such encounters.