Sunday, January 17, 2021

The Flounce, in history

I just posted this on FB. Will anyone read it?
I have no idea. 
(I was amazed that a lot of people commented on My First Sonnet.
Did they actually read it? Because most wrote things such as "Good job!" I really don't know.)

Anyway, I think this might be my favorite thing I've ever posted there:

Why do I love history? Because it repeats itself. 
Memorize a few sets of human behaviors, including The Flounce, and you've got it down.

Q: Which US presidential inauguration does this refer to?
"The bitterly contested campaign and the drawn-out election process,
plus whispers about the POSSIBILITY OF CIVIL WAR and the predictions of resistance to the new administration
inspired [WHO???] to use his inaugural address to unify the nation..."
A: A president who is problematic in many ways,*
Thomas Jefferson, March 1801, in his smashing first inaugural speech.
(via Monticello)

IMAGE = Mr. Darcy, King of the Flounce:
"Forgive me for having taken up so much of your time, and accept my best wishes for your health and happiness."

Who's your favorite Darcy?
FUN FACT: Jane Austen wrote Pride & Prejudice in 1797, when John Adams became second US president...

BONUS: First Presidential Inaugural Flounce:
"Outgoing President John Adams, distraught over his loss of the election as well as the death of his son Charles to alcoholism, did not attend the inauguration.
He left the President's House at 4 a.m. on the early public stagecoach. * * * This was the first time an outgoing President would not attend his successor's inauguration."
(Wikipedia)
*Re problematic: We Americans as a nation inherit Jefferson's beautiful words & great ideals of freedom, . . . as well as the ongoing fallout of his not-so-beautiful-and-great follow-through, being an actual owner of other humans.

We are a rum species.

8 comments:

Michael Leddy said...

I looked up “flounce” to make sure I understand, but I'm not sure I do. Could you explain a little?

Favorite Darcy: I know only Olivier and Wishbone (from the PBS show for kids). On two legs: Olivier. On four: Wishbone.

Fresca said...

I only meant Adams refusal to attend Jefferson’s inauguration—he flounced out of Washington DC on the 4 a.m stagecoach.
Maybe I made it seem like I meant more?

Fresca said...

PS Wishbone!

Fresca said...

PPS Googling it I found this article “Women flounce, men ‘storm out’ – yeah, right” www.channel4.com/news/flounce-women-sexist-warsi-men-storm-out-daily-mail-spoof

Fresca said...

Sorry—I’m writing on my phone —awkward—
Also meant that Darcy’s pride makes him flouncy—
Prickly, going off in a huff when he’s rejected.

River said...

I have never seen Pride and Prejudice, I did try to read the book once, many, many years ago and just couldn't get into it. Too literary for me.

Michael Leddy said...

Aha. Got it. Thank you, Fresca.

Michael Leddy said...

Now I’m not sure why it puzzled me. Well, it’s that kind of year.