The French Revolution

I particularly enjoyed reading Helen Williams' works. Although I don't know much of the French Revolution and what led to it, I do know that in it was created a horribly extreme sense of the rich and the poor - and I was especially able to extract that from Williams's writings. In her "Letters Written in France, in the Summer of 1790" she writes, "May no such strong contrast of light and shade again exist in the political system of France!" (39). In my opinion, this begs the question of whether or not it is necessary to have evil in order to know what is good. I think that this quotation doesn't mean that there should never be a lower class of people - this is inevitable in any society. Rather, it means that there should be a good balance, hence her use of the word "contrast."

While reading [The Aristocracy] I thought that it was wonderful that in this post-Revolution time that a woman was teaching this Prince-to-be that democratic values and principles were the best to have in relation to the people of the nation. Even Williams' herself was astounded that the boy was willing to divide up his inheritance if it need be. But the piece turns ironic when Williams begins to talk about the women of high stature during the Revolution who made sacrifices of their prized possessions and jewels all for the sake of France. However, Madame Sillery herself wears an extravagantly adorned stone from the actual Bastille that is embossed with diamonds, laurel. emeralds, and cockade. What does this say about her true character? Perhaps this piece is here to let us know that even in the midst of such changing times, old habits die hard.

The poem "The Friend of Humanity and the Knife-Grinder" is really kind of ironic. The very first line, said by the Friend of Humanity, is "Needy knife-grinder!" automatically assuming that the man with his knife-grinder is needy because of his clothing and physical appearance (73). Wanting to know the story of how the oppression of peasants got him to his lowly position, the more prosperous man is not prepared for the response. After the knife-grinder tells him his situation isn't as bad as it looks, the so-called Friend of Humanity is obviously offended for having shown his generosity to someone who didn't need it and curses the knife-grrinder and kicks him down. This irony again must relate to the theme that no matter what changes around someone, their spirit and old habits don't leave so easily.