96 Results in the "view" category


    • Chapter

      To the Reader

      To the Reader Cover
      by LovelyMay To the Reader, in Chapter 2 of "Worldly Ways and Byways," the author reflects on a past diplomatic custom known as the Pele Mele, a practice meant to resolve the constant disputes over precedence among courtiers and diplomats. This system, likely conceived by an overburdened Master of Ceremonies, sought to nullify rank and eliminate the usual formalities of social gatherings, creating an environment where one's position at an event was determined by wit or chance rather than status. The Pele Mele resulted…
      Culture • Romance Novel • Society
    • Chapter 9 — Social Suggestion Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter 9 – Social Suggestion explores the powerful, yet often unnoticed, influence that social environments have on shaping individual preferences, opinions, and behaviors. The chapter begins by discussing how social contexts subtly mold our perceptions of success and failure, particularly in areas like entertainment, art, and fashion. It asks the reader to reflect on how often personal tastes are shaped not by independent thought but by the collective sentiment of a group. Through anecdotes, the author…
      Culture • Society • view
    • Chapter 8 — Slouch Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter 8 – Slouch delves into the troubling cultural habit of untidiness and lack of pride in appearance and environment that the author identifies as distinctly American. The narrative contrasts this with the more polished and meticulous nature of people and places in Europe, where attention to personal grooming and cleanliness is often considered a mark of respect and dignity. The author urges for a cultural shift toward tidiness, suggesting that this change should start in schools and extend to the…
      Culture • view
    • Chapter 7 — The Discontent of Talent Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter 7 – The Discontent of Talent explores the stark contrast between the complacency of ordinary individuals and the constant yearning for improvement that characterizes those with exceptional abilities. The author begins by critiquing those who are self-satisfied with their lives, viewing their established customs and routines as beyond question. Such individuals, content in their ignorance, resist change and innovation. In contrast, the gifted and imaginative, particularly those who have traveled…
      Culture • view
    • Chapter 6 — The Complacency of Mediocrity Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter 6 – The Complacency of Mediocrity delves into the puzzling satisfaction that individuals with modest abilities or limited intellects often feel. The author observes how this sense of contentment seems out of proportion to their actual achievements, contrasting it with the humility and self-doubt that mark truly accomplished individuals. The chapter points out an irony: those who have made meaningful contributions to their fields are often the most critical of their work, continually striving for…
    • Chapter 5 — On Some Gilded Misalliances Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter 5 – On Some Gilded Misalliances explores the often disappointing results of marriages between American women and foreign aristocrats. Through the experiences of an insightful American lady in Rome, the author reflects on the rarity of truly successful unions in these circumstances, challenging the romantic ideal of marrying into nobility. Once viewing these international unions as fairy-tale endings, the author’s perspective evolves over time, shaped by years of observation and the harsh…
      Culture • Relationship • Society
    • Chapter 4 — The Outer and the Inner Woman Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter 4 – The Outer and the Inner Woman examines the growing trend of shoplifting among well-educated and seemingly refined women, attributing it to a cultural fixation on outward appearances rather than inner substance. The author suggests that this behavior is a result of rapid and immature prosperity, where the desire for luxury and social display overtakes the pursuit of genuine quality or comfort. In societies where wealth is often equated with value, fashion becomes a central focus, with women…
      Culture • Society • view
    • Chapter 37 — The Newport of the Past Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter 37 – The Newport of the Past draws a vivid contrast between the Newport of today and the deep, storied past that lies just beneath its polished surface. While summer guests indulge in regattas, charity balls, and garden parties, few pause to consider that this seaside playground was once the stage for centuries of exploration, trade, revolution, and reinvention. In fact, long before the city's colonial charm became a magnet for wealth and leisure, legends suggest that adventurous Norse sailors…
    • Chapter 36 — American Society in Italy Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter 36 – American Society in Italy explores the myth and eventual unraveling of a unified American social circle in Italy, particularly in cultural hubs like Rome and Florence. Once imagined as a thriving expatriate community, it is instead revealed as fragmented, fluid, and more aspirational than substantial. The author recalls a distant past—roughly forty to fifty years earlier—when Rome harbored a quiet colony of American creatives and intellectuals, people who sought inspiration in the ruins…
    • Chapter 35 — Living on your Friends Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter 35 – Living on Your Friends begins by examining the timeless concept of enjoying a luxurious life without actually possessing the wealth to fund it. Drawing inspiration from Vanity Fair, it reflects on how, even in modern society, there are those who thrive through the generosity of others, skillfully positioning themselves in the lives of the wealthy. These individuals may not own a single estate or fortune of their own, yet their days are filled with opulence, thanks to well-connected…
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