128 Results in the "Philosophy" category


    • Chapter 14 – “Carolus” Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter 14 - "Carolus" opens a rich and reverent look into the life and influence of Carolus-Duran, a master whose studio reshaped how young artists understood their craft. More than just a teacher, he was a catalyst for creative independence and bold experimentation. At a time when traditional academies leaned into rigid formality, Carolus fostered an atmosphere of freedom, urging his pupils to paint with their senses fully engaged. His studio became a sanctuary where effort was honored, vision was…
    • Chapter 13 – Some American Husbands Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter 13 - Some American Husbands begins with a sharp-eyed look at how the identity and responsibilities of husbands in the United States have shifted across generations. Once regarded as the dominant figure—the leader, the provider, the protector—the American husband is now portrayed as an almost domesticated figure, more cooperative than commanding. This transformation didn’t occur overnight but has evolved through societal expectations, economic shifts, and changes in how marriage is perceived.…
    • Chapter 12 – The Paris of our Grandparents Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter 12 - The Paris of our Grandparents opens with a nostalgic journey through a city whose charm has shifted with time, filtered through the memories of a woman who witnessed its golden afternoons and political storms. Her recollections are not merely sentimental—they serve as a bridge between generations, showing how a city both molds and is molded by its people. Walking alongside her, one senses how deeply woven the past remains in Paris’s bones. The boulevards, once quiet avenues for carriage…
    • Chapter 11 – A Cry For Fresh Air Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter 11 - A Cry For Fresh Air casts a striking metaphor over modern life, likening our dependence on artificial comfort to a fairy tale curse. In a world where fire and warmth were once cherished blessings, they have now become overused indulgences that stifle health and dull the senses. The blessings of modern inventions—meant to improve living standards—have brought unexpected costs. With the rise of central heating and sealed buildings, fresh air is not just rare, it's avoided. Children once…
    • Chapter 10 – Calve at Cabrieres Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter 10 - Calve at Cabrieres reveals a vibrant return to simplicity, led by the famed opera singer whose stage presence once dazzled Paris but now finds fulfillment in nurturing life at her mountain home. Set in the heart of the Cevennes, the retreat is not a place of retreat from the world, but rather a return to something more enduring—nature, generosity, and community. Calve’s home, restored with care and purpose, offers fresh air and gentle rhythms that soothe the weary, particularly the city…
    • Chapter 9 – “Climbers” in England Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter 9 - "Climbers" in England draws attention to a curious spectacle—the tireless efforts of certain Americans to enter the ranks of English high society. The fascination is mutual, yet often tinged with confusion and condescension. While Americans arrive with enthusiasm, expecting glamour and influence, they are met with cold scrutiny and a subtle caste system rooted more in tradition than merit. The so-called “Little Englander” mindset, with its quiet pride and national rigidity, resists…
    • Chapter 8 – Idling in Mid-Ocean Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter 8 - Idling in Mid-Ocean offers more than a scenic voyage; it becomes a slow exhale from the pressures of the structured world. The open sea surrounds the traveler with silence and space, and in that vastness, the senses sharpen while the mind settles. There are no doors to knock on, no errands to run, no meetings to attend. This enforced stillness, rather than breeding impatience, fosters a rare kind of peace. Time stretches like the horizon, not bound by clocks but by meals, sunsets, and the soft…
    • Chapter 7 – Worldly Color-Blindness Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter 7 - Worldly Color-Blindness explores the subtle yet destructive effect of social misjudgment in hospitality, using the metaphor of literal color-blindness to reveal the consequences of emotional and cultural dullness. The chapter begins by contrasting physical impairments—like tone-deafness or visual deficiencies—with a far more common but less discussed issue: a lack of social discernment. In music or painting, some can overcome these limitations through technique or sheer will. But in…
    • Chapter 6 – Modern Architecture Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter 6 - Modern Architecture begins with the imagined awe of a traveler first glimpsing New York’s skyline at twilight—a moment filled with wild allure and grand silhouettes. Yet that same skyline, when viewed in the stark light of day, transforms into a display of disjointed ambition and architectural confusion. Towers rise without rhyme or rhythm, each clamoring for attention, none offering unity. Where cities of the past presented a visual dialogue of shared ideals, this cityscape resembles a…
    • Chapter 5 – Parnassus Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter 5 - Parnassus begins with a youthful memory—an encounter with the formidable Sainte-Beuve, one of France’s sharpest literary minds. The narrator recalls stepping into his study on rue Montparnasse, where modest furnishings belied the intellectual firepower of the man within. That early meeting left a quiet but permanent impression. Over time, as the narrator’s own understanding of literature deepened, so too did the value of that moment. The recollection matures into respect, shaped by later…
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