| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from Lady Susan by Jane Austen: is, I hope, convinced how little the ungenerous representations of anyone
to the disadvantage of another will avail when opposed by the immediate
influence of intellect and manner. I see plainly that she is uneasy at my
progress in the good opinion of her brother, and conclude that nothing will
be wanting on her part to counteract me; but having once made him doubt the
justice of her opinion of me, I think I may defy, her. It has been
delightful to me to watch his advances towards intimacy, especially to
observe his altered manner in consequence of my repressing by the cool
dignity of my deportment his insolent approach to direct familiarity. My
conduct has been equally guarded from the first, and I never behaved less
like a coquette in the whole course of my life, though perhaps my desire of
Lady Susan |
The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from The Perfect Wagnerite: A Commentary on the Niblung's Ring by George Bernard Shaw: woman attain to the full measure of humanity. But when nowadays
we talk of a human being, such heartless blockheads are we that
quite involuntarily we only think of man. It is only in the umon
of man and woman by love (sensuous and supersensuous) that the
human being exists; and as the human being cannot rise to the
conception of anything higher than his own existence--his own
being--so the transcendent act of his life is this consummation
of his humanity through love."
It is clear after this utterance from the would-be
Schopenhaurian, that Wagner's explanations of his works for the
most part explain nothing but the mood in which he happened to be
|
The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from Emma by Jane Austen: of temper and manner, a very humble opinion of herself, and a great
readiness to be pleased with other people. I am very much mistaken
if your sex in general would not think such beauty, and such temper,
the highest claims a woman could possess."
"Upon my word, Emma, to hear you abusing the reason you have,
is almost enough to make me think so too. Better be without sense,
than misapply it as you do."
"To be sure!" cried she playfully. "I know that is the feeling
of you all. I know that such a girl as Harriet is exactly
what every man delights in--what at once bewitches his senses
and satisfies his judgment. Oh! Harriet may pick and chuse.
Emma |
