Social distinction and the written word : two provincial case studies, Warwick and Draguignan, 1780-1820
This is a comparative study of two countries, England and France, two county towns, Warwick and Draguignan, and two families of the trading-manufacturing sort. It argues that, during the period around 1780-1820, the acquisition of a certain form of education, which included an emphasis on fluent reading, writing, and grammar. preferably Latin grammar, became as important as the acquisition of capital. This cultural capital gave its new owners a self-perceived distinction which allowed them to consider themselves and to be considered by others as different. Even if local, regional, and national differences are taken into account, this comparative study shows that this new perception developed as a transnational phenomenon, a form of culture sallS jrolltieres, even during the times of enmity and almost uninterrupted wars between Britain and France which characterise this period. This process had begun earlier in the eighteenth century, when the idea of a public opinion and its premise of equal interaction amongst its proponents was 'invented'; but it was facilitated by the French Revolution with its legacy of the notion of equality, and therefore of the importance of communication in forging democracy. The written
Fowler, Denise
DA Great Britain ; DC France ; HT Communities. Classes. Races
Social distinction and the written word : two provincial case studies, Warwick and Draguignan, 1780-1820. This is a comparative study of two countries, England and France, two county towns, Warwick and Draguignan, and two families of the trading-manufacturing sort. It argues that, during the period around 1780-1820, the acquisition of a certain form of education, which included an emphasis on fluent reading, writing, and grammar. preferably Latin grammar, became as important as the acquisition of capital. This cultural capital gave its new owners a self-perceived distinction which allowed them to consider themselves and to be considered by others as different. Even if local, regional, and national differences are taken into account, this comparative study shows that this new perception developed as a transnational phenomenon, a form of culture sallS jrolltieres, even during the times of enmity and almost uninterrupted wars between Britain and France which characterise this period. This process had begun earlier in the eighteenth century, when the idea of a public opinion and its premise of equal interaction amongst its proponents was 'invented'; but it was facilitated by the French Revolution with its legacy of the notion of equality, and therefore of the importance of communication in forging democracy. The written
social distinction write_word provincial case_study comparative_study two_country england_france county_town family trading manufacturing sort argues period around acquisition certain form education include emphasis fluent reading_write grammar latin grammar become_important acquisition capital cultural_capital give new owner self perceived distinction allow consider consider others different even local_regional national difference take_account comparative_study show new perception develop transnational phenomenon form culture even time almost war britain france characterise period process begin idea public_opinion premise equal interaction amongst proponent invented facilitate french_revolution legacy notion equality therefore importance communication forge democracy write