Sunday 25 February 2024
Ignoble horseplay
Was the whole of life to be given up to ignoble horseplay?...She spoke with increased rancour because of the increasing thump and rumble of the air-raid...Of course the politicians were ignoble beings that, before the war, you would not have thought of having in your house...But whose fault was that, if not that of the better classes, who had gone away leaving England a dreary wilderness of fellows without consciences or traditions or manners?
Ford Madox Ford - No More Parades (1925)
I’d like to add something to that, things being they are now, but it isn’t easy. Ignoble horseplay says it well enough. I’ll go and make another cup of tea instead of trying to improve on it.
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2 comments:
In the past, the better classes "went away". Presumably to grow rubber and tea, or to serve in the military or run India or teach Africans about Jesus or somesuch. Now they stay put, but somehow have lost the courage that allowed them to do those things. They are frightened of disapproval, and fall in with ridiculous trends.
Sam - yes it's odd, the loss of courage. Going along with the ridiculous trends is even odder. As if too many died in two world wars, too many to pass on something worthwhile. Courage seems to be more cultural than personal.
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