Wharton, Edith 1862-1937 creator text utu 2018 monographic en 1 online resource : multiple file formats "French Ways and Their Meaning" by Edith Wharton is a contemplative work that blends observational essays with cultural analysis, likely written in the early 20th century. The book reflects on the fundamental differences between French and American societies, particularly in light of the changes brought about by World War I. Wharton explores intrinsic qualities of the French character, such as taste, reverence, and intellectual honesty, presenting them as valuable traits that Americans can learn from in their own search for cultural identity. The opening of the book establishes a framework for understanding these themes, as Wharton reflects on her experiences in France during the war. She discusses the challenges of forming accurate impressions amidst social upheaval, comparing the superficial judgments often formed by transient visitors to the deeper truths that arise from sustained engagement with a culture. Wharton acknowledges the initial confusion and contradictions an American might encounter and emphasizes the need for a nuanced appreciation of French customs. The first chapter suggests that through genuine contact and understanding, one can begin to appreciate the rich tapestry of French life and its profound differences from American experiences. (This is an automatically generated summary.) Preface -- First impressions -- Reverence -- Taste -- Intellectual honesty -- Continuity -- The new Frenchwoman -- In conclusion. Release date is 2018-08-28 E-text prepared by Mary Glenn Krause, Martin Pettit, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net) from page images generously made available by Internet Archive (https://archive.org) Original publication data not identified France -- Civilization National characteristics, French DC Original publication data not identified https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/57786 https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/57786 UtSlPG 260607 20260610134330.0 57786