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Literary
January 8, 1897
The Evening Tribune
Pawtucket, Providence County, Rhode Island
What is this article about?
In his 'Recollections,' Alexis de Tocqueville describes his initial prejudice against George Sand for being a female writer who despises feminine weaknesses, but upon meeting her, he finds her features passive yet expression admirable, with a natural simplicity of manner that pleases him.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
George Sand.
One of my friends asked her one day what she thought of my book on America, and she answered, "Monsieur, I am only accustomed to read the books which are presented to me by their authors." I was strongly prejudiced against Mme. Sand, for I loathe women who write, especially those who systematically despise the weaknesses of their sex instead of interesting us by displaying them in their true character. Nevertheless, she pleased me. I thought her features rather passive, but her expression admirable. And her mind seemed to have taken refuge in her eyes, abandoning the rest of her face to matter, and I was particularly struck at meeting in her with something of the naturalness of behavior of great minds. She had a real simplicity of manner and language, which she mingled, perhaps, with some little affectation of simplicity of dress. I confess that more adorned she would have appeared more simple.—"Recollections" of De Tocqueville.
One of my friends asked her one day what she thought of my book on America, and she answered, "Monsieur, I am only accustomed to read the books which are presented to me by their authors." I was strongly prejudiced against Mme. Sand, for I loathe women who write, especially those who systematically despise the weaknesses of their sex instead of interesting us by displaying them in their true character. Nevertheless, she pleased me. I thought her features rather passive, but her expression admirable. And her mind seemed to have taken refuge in her eyes, abandoning the rest of her face to matter, and I was particularly struck at meeting in her with something of the naturalness of behavior of great minds. She had a real simplicity of manner and language, which she mingled, perhaps, with some little affectation of simplicity of dress. I confess that more adorned she would have appeared more simple.—"Recollections" of De Tocqueville.
What sub-type of article is it?
Essay
What themes does it cover?
Social Manners
What keywords are associated?
George Sand
De Tocqueville
Women Writers
Simplicity
Prejudice
Recollections
Naturalness
What entities or persons were involved?
De Tocqueville
Literary Details
Author
De Tocqueville
Subject
Recollection Of Meeting George Sand
Form / Style
Prose Reflection In Memoir
Key Lines
I Was Strongly Prejudiced Against Mme. Sand, For I Loathe Women Who Write, Especially Those Who Systematically Despise The Weaknesses Of Their Sex Instead Of Interesting Us By Displaying Them In Their True Character.
Nevertheless, She Pleased Me.
She Had A Real Simplicity Of Manner And Language, Which She Mingled, Perhaps, With Some Little Affectation Of Simplicity Of Dress.
I Confess That More Adorned She Would Have Appeared More Simple.