Writer's Block: Le Quatorze Juillet
This will be hard to answer. I could say Chartreuse (my new favorite French Thing). I could just say...French. But I'm not really a speaker, just a lover of language and sounds and history and culture and so on. Nevermind the influence of French on modern ENGLISH or poetic forms and on and on.
(I am rather fond of Troubadours, but I am by no means an expert).
Some French films are to my liking and so on. Now, I liked Bastiat. Frederick Bastiat, while not my ideological compatriot, did influence a few of my views on classical liberalism and so on with his written work "The Law." The finding of that book was coupled with my affinity for the friend of mine who left it behind with his passing.
I'd probably venture, the poet in me would posit, that my favorite French thing are the pursued lips of attractive female french speakers.
But then, that's silly. Silly but an honest sentiment.
Bastille Day, however important in the wide scope of things, was but a small part of French culture and influence in the world.
Tomorrow I may take up an avid interest in French cuisine, the next day I may again recall my detest for the inavoidable facts of the history of European colonialism, bickery and bloodshed. Yet a colorful history is partly what does gain my favoritism.
I don't really have an overt favor for Napoleon, yet he did invoke quite a few of the principles core to the indirect approach, rise from practically nothing and drink Bass and popularize Brandy and Cognac internationally. To get to the point, he was a historical CHARACTER. Napoleon a cultural icon that continues to be lampooned and lauded while also being an immensely arrogant egotist who cost the lives and stability of countless people in the cause of his megalomania's chosing.
Unlike Mr. Arnold J. Rimmer, I do not whole heartedly worship Napoleon (or other megalomaniacal and fascist military commanders/dictators), Yet, I would probably count Napoleon amongst "my favorite facist dictator[s] of all time" (please presume paraphrase even while I'm refering to Red Dwarf, something I should be able to quote directly with ease).
I suppose, if I were to focus on what I love about Francophone culture...a rich history with progressive and intellectual as well as passionate and pious leanings...vibrant art, music, poetry, food and films...etc...then I can ignore my little points of bitterness for say the French's handlng of Vietnam, or the recent sad state of Haiti, or perhaps the moral failure of the French High Command to properly prepare against further disruption of French soil and the bloodshed occupation of French people...etc.
I suppose, like my kin- I am a bit judgmental.
But I could not sit here the other night enjoying a drink imported from the country, made by monks- the only liquor ever to become a color (chartreuse)...or for that matter a mixed drink of partial French Origin and Infamy.
And I suppose an alcoholic beverage is just the pinnacle of paradoxical natures. Poision on one hand, pure pleasure on another, rich in history, flavours and refreshing to the mind which it may also dull.
of course, how could I forget Voltaire? Whom, no doubt, has his flaws and foibles, but is likely better remembered (and misremembered) by his quotations and literary works. Controversial figures and topics, none too taboo to the French (dare I mention the Marquis?!) have allowed discourse to go on and helped genius bastards like Voltaire and pious men of reason like Descarte reshape the world in the aftermath of their ideas.
I suppose I'm finished "waxing poetic," so I'll leave you with this lyrical artifact (not exactly the French Verse I was looking for, but it seems more...on topic to Bastille Day):
Chant du départ
I think Marie-Joseph Chénier is a rather randomly selected, yet appropriate figure for this posting. All my talk of Napoleon almost left out his hand in France's choosing him and the events of course that preceeded his prominency. Robspierre was a magnificent bastard and everyone pretty much hates or loves him, no?
I'd prefer an Anthem to Liberty. But not Robespierre. I guess some choices are left to the Editors- and perhaps even the bad ones never get enough credit to the successes and infamies they helped wrought.
In any case, It is hard to boil down a celebration of culture or history to just one man or woman (people imperfect) or just one thing (getting caught up in materialism doesn't really suit me in such matters anyway). So, here's to joie de vive!*(and sous l'inspiration de...France?)
And to borrow a sentiment...Viva La France! But I'll probably just live in America.