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Literary
July 7, 1912
East St. Louis Daily Journal
East Saint Louis, Saint Clair County, Illinois
What is this article about?
In a dialogue, the narrator advises Bettina on cultivating her unique charms by embracing individuality in clothing, home decor, and activities like croquet over following peers' trends in tennis, to become a leader.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
YOUR PERSONALITY
BY LUCILLE DAUDET.
"What are my charms?" Bettina demanded.
"I am glad to know I have some to develop. I did not tell her at once, however, what she is. I told her, first, what she is not. She is not deeply intellectual, like Penelope: she hasn't Suzanne's lightness nor Cynthia's youthful strength of beauty. Therefore she cannot hope to rival them in conversation, in grace or in dexterity.
"You have the art of combining colors, of selecting styles that do not suit all types. Yet now and then you are led astray because you follow others. Look at that big black hat you bought this spring. Penelope had one and you thought you must, yet Penelope is as thin as a rail and as tall as a telegraph pole, while you are little and plump."
Bettina laughed.
"Tell me some more."
"It isn't just in clothes," I went on: "don't try to do things that other girls do, don't be swayed always by others' opinions or ideas. Think for yourself: be natural. If you have an inspiration as to dress or furnishings work it out on your own lines. Because Susan Jane down the street has pink rose paper on her walls and silver on her dresser is no reason why you should have it: when deep in your heart you yearn for jonquil yellow and old ivory. With your red-gold in that pale yellow room you would be a joy forever, while the rose color would make you commonplace."
"Moreover," I finished, "if you want to be a force you must make people follow you."
"But how?"
"Try an experiment this summer. The rest of the girls are mad about tennis. You love croquet. But you are afraid to suggest it for fear of being thought old-fashioned. Don't be afraid. Make croquet the fashion in your crowd. Set up your wickets in your side yard, have a punch bowl of lemonade on your front porch, wear your prettiest gowns and when your friends call on you challenge them to a game on hot evenings it will have a charm that the more strenuous games lack and in your filmy lovely gowns you will be a serene contrast to the tousled, red-faced tennis players."
BY LUCILLE DAUDET.
"What are my charms?" Bettina demanded.
"I am glad to know I have some to develop. I did not tell her at once, however, what she is. I told her, first, what she is not. She is not deeply intellectual, like Penelope: she hasn't Suzanne's lightness nor Cynthia's youthful strength of beauty. Therefore she cannot hope to rival them in conversation, in grace or in dexterity.
"You have the art of combining colors, of selecting styles that do not suit all types. Yet now and then you are led astray because you follow others. Look at that big black hat you bought this spring. Penelope had one and you thought you must, yet Penelope is as thin as a rail and as tall as a telegraph pole, while you are little and plump."
Bettina laughed.
"Tell me some more."
"It isn't just in clothes," I went on: "don't try to do things that other girls do, don't be swayed always by others' opinions or ideas. Think for yourself: be natural. If you have an inspiration as to dress or furnishings work it out on your own lines. Because Susan Jane down the street has pink rose paper on her walls and silver on her dresser is no reason why you should have it: when deep in your heart you yearn for jonquil yellow and old ivory. With your red-gold in that pale yellow room you would be a joy forever, while the rose color would make you commonplace."
"Moreover," I finished, "if you want to be a force you must make people follow you."
"But how?"
"Try an experiment this summer. The rest of the girls are mad about tennis. You love croquet. But you are afraid to suggest it for fear of being thought old-fashioned. Don't be afraid. Make croquet the fashion in your crowd. Set up your wickets in your side yard, have a punch bowl of lemonade on your front porch, wear your prettiest gowns and when your friends call on you challenge them to a game on hot evenings it will have a charm that the more strenuous games lack and in your filmy lovely gowns you will be a serene contrast to the tousled, red-faced tennis players."
What sub-type of article is it?
Dialogue
Essay
What themes does it cover?
Social Manners
Moral Virtue
What keywords are associated?
Personality
Fashion
Individuality
Advice
Croquet
Tennis
Self Expression
What entities or persons were involved?
By Lucille Daudet.
Literary Details
Title
Your Personality
Author
By Lucille Daudet.
Key Lines
"What Are My Charms?" Bettina Demanded.
"Think For Yourself: Be Natural."
"If You Want To Be A Force You Must Make People Follow You."
"Make Croquet The Fashion In Your Crowd."
"In Your Filmy Lovely Gowns You Will Be A Serene Contrast To The Tousled, Red Faced Tennis Players."