How did the ladies manage those puffy dresses when they had to use the chamber pots or whatever?
I could relate to The Leopard. At 72 I am being left behind as culture changes quickly, my stamina is no longer as it was, I leave gatherings to let the younger ones mingle, etc. One last dance—how wonderful for him.
Ah, this was my favourite chapter too Ellie. How incredibly beautifully and subtly written it is. I really loved the evolution of Fabrizio's mood. His irritation and desire to be elsewhere, slowly modulating into a feeling of deep compassion for the people there gathered: 'Don Fabrizio felt his heart thaw; his disgust gave way to compassion for all these ephemeral beings out to enjoy the tiny ray of light granted them between two shades...'
And Fabrizio's sense of his own finitude is beautifully juxaposed (as you mention) by Tancredi and Angelica who are in love and out of touch with mortality, playing the parts of Romeo and Juliet without knowing that the 'tomb and poison were already in the script.'
Earlier, before his heart thaws, Fabrizio rather chillingly observes the black clothes of the men dancing and it reminds him of 'crows veering to and fro above lost valleys in search of putrid prey.' You point out that death is present everywhere for him - in the appearance of the priest performing last rites, in the men like crows, in the painting in the room Fabrizio withdraws to. But his attitude changes from viewing those present at the ball as disgusting and base animals infected with mortality to seeing them more kindly.
(Also, loved (as always) the paintings you collected together in this post :)
Hey Tash, thanks for stopping by! Yes, death is overwhelmingly present in this book, from the first page onward it's woven into every line, the more you look for it the more you'll find. It's absolutely a book about death and trying to come to terms with it, even beautiful lively moments have a melancholic aftertaste. I'm really glad you're enjoying the book, you opinion means a lot to me ❤️
How did the ladies manage those puffy dresses when they had to use the chamber pots or whatever?
I could relate to The Leopard. At 72 I am being left behind as culture changes quickly, my stamina is no longer as it was, I leave gatherings to let the younger ones mingle, etc. One last dance—how wonderful for him.
Funnily enough he's not even 50 in this chapter, but I guess back then people's lives were shorter.
And here's an article about going to the bathroom while wearing a crinoline, if you're interested! https://www.lancasterhistory.org/victorian-women-used-the-privy-in-multiple-layers-of-clothing/
Ah, this was my favourite chapter too Ellie. How incredibly beautifully and subtly written it is. I really loved the evolution of Fabrizio's mood. His irritation and desire to be elsewhere, slowly modulating into a feeling of deep compassion for the people there gathered: 'Don Fabrizio felt his heart thaw; his disgust gave way to compassion for all these ephemeral beings out to enjoy the tiny ray of light granted them between two shades...'
And Fabrizio's sense of his own finitude is beautifully juxaposed (as you mention) by Tancredi and Angelica who are in love and out of touch with mortality, playing the parts of Romeo and Juliet without knowing that the 'tomb and poison were already in the script.'
Earlier, before his heart thaws, Fabrizio rather chillingly observes the black clothes of the men dancing and it reminds him of 'crows veering to and fro above lost valleys in search of putrid prey.' You point out that death is present everywhere for him - in the appearance of the priest performing last rites, in the men like crows, in the painting in the room Fabrizio withdraws to. But his attitude changes from viewing those present at the ball as disgusting and base animals infected with mortality to seeing them more kindly.
(Also, loved (as always) the paintings you collected together in this post :)
Hey Tash, thanks for stopping by! Yes, death is overwhelmingly present in this book, from the first page onward it's woven into every line, the more you look for it the more you'll find. It's absolutely a book about death and trying to come to terms with it, even beautiful lively moments have a melancholic aftertaste. I'm really glad you're enjoying the book, you opinion means a lot to me ❤️
I LOVED the book. And an interesting final chapter - I will get to your final post imminently!
Once again, fascinating notes on the book and an interesting history lesson! Thank you so much.