54 Results in the "Non-Fiction" category


    • Chapter 25 – La Comedie Francaise a Orange Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter 25 - La Comedie Francaise a Orange opens in a place where art, history, and landscape fuse into one unforgettable experience. Traveling through sun-drenched valleys and alongside the ancient Rhone, we followed the path of classical revival, our destination not merely a town but a vision—Orange, with its legendary Roman theatre. The performances by La Comedie Francaise, supported by Les Felibres, weren’t just artistic acts; they were a passionate reclaiming of history, echoing the spirit of…
    • Chapter 24 – The Better Part Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter 24 - The Better Part opens with a pointed critique of the narrow, prescriptive path laid out for women in high society. Their lives, though wrapped in luxury, often lack emotional richness and intellectual fulfillment. Within these elite circles, young women are groomed for presentation rather than development, expected to thrive in social routines that offer little room for spontaneity or personal growth. The metaphor of hothouse flowers—delicate, cultivated, and ultimately restricted—captures…
    • Chapter 23 – Around a Spring Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter 23 - Around a Spring opens with a portrayal of a quiet village that undergoes a dramatic change after the discovery of a mineral-rich, unpleasant-smelling spring. This once-overlooked spot suddenly finds itself at the heart of a commercial and social revival, triggered by the belief in the spring's healing qualities. With the help of a credible analyst and a few official approvals, the waters are rebranded as therapeutic, sparking infrastructure development and a fresh identity for the community.…
    • Chapter 22 – Growing Old Ungracefully Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter 22 - Growing Old Ungracefully opens with a candid exploration of society’s complex relationship with aging, revealing how uncomfortable many become as time begins to leave its visible trace. The passage of years brings inevitable changes—silver strands, fine lines, slower movements—but instead of greeting these with acceptance, people often respond with alarm. Rather than allowing age to unfold naturally, a cultural resistance develops, prompting increasingly elaborate attempts to hide what…
    • Chapter 21 – Seven Small Duchesses Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter 21 - Seven Small Duchesses introduces a vibrant portrait of modern aristocratic women who reframe France’s traditional nobility with fresh vitality. These seven duchesses represent a new generation of aristocracy that mixes elegance with purposeful social presence, bringing new energy into a class once seen as fading into irrelevance. Though born into titles steeped in history, these women are not relics of the past—they are the embodiment of continuity, modernizing their roles while upholding…
    • Chapter 20 – As the Twig is Bent Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter 20 - As the Twig is Bent opens with a story about a man in a rural French village who tried to improve the lives of local boys through art and literature. Though initially met with disinterest due to the boys' impoverished lives, the man's efforts gradually stirred a deep appreciation for beauty in his students. These lessons—centered around art, architecture, and cultural treasures—planted lasting seeds of curiosity and dignity, nurturing a deeper view of life beyond material hardship. His…
    • Chapter 2 – Domestic Despots Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter 2 - Domestic Despots explores the strange but familiar reality where dogs, rather than humans, appear to be in charge of the household. Within these homes, the owners are not masters but servants—fetching, feeding, and fussing at the slightest whim of a pawed commander. The dog’s comfort becomes paramount, its presence dictating where one sits, how loudly one speaks, and whether one travels at all. Vacations are shortened or skipped altogether, dinner menus are altered, and furniture becomes…
    • Chapter 19 – The Genealogical Craze Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter 19 - The Genealogical Craze begins with a sharp reflection on America’s tendency to dive headfirst into trends, especially in the absence of longstanding social structures. When class distinctions are less defined, people search for identity and prestige in ancestry. This has fueled a nationwide obsession with tracing lineage, particularly when it leads to inclusion in elite heritage societies. Belonging to such groups offers more than just historical curiosity—it’s become a badge of…
    • Chapter 18 – What is “Art”? Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter 18 - What is "Art"? opens with the recollection of a young artist's uncertainty in the shadowy world of foreign studios, where the phrase "it's not Art" was often wielded as a conclusive critique. These dismissals, vague yet powerful, cast doubt not only on the work produced but on the very identity of the creator. Among students and teachers alike, confusion reigned, as standards seemed subjective and ever-changing. There was no rulebook, only a chorus of opinions, many of which contradicted each…
    • Chapter 17 – Etiquette At Home and Abroad Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter 17 - Etiquette At Home and Abroad begins by examining a cultural blind spot that many Americans and even some English people share: the undervaluing of politeness in everyday life. Unlike in certain parts of Europe where ceremonial respect is practiced even toward children, American families often neglect small courtesies at home. In St. Petersburg, the Grand Duchess Olga’s upbringing reflects how consistent respect shapes a person’s dignity and presence. The narrator contrasts this with the…
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