The Indifferent Nobility
Author Bio: Compte De Segur, also known as Louis Philippe was a French diplomat and historian.
Ségur was born in Paris where he entered the army in 1769, served in the American War of Independence. Ségur took up a sympathetic attitude towards the Revolution at its outset and in 1791 was sent on a mission to Berlin, where he was badly received. After fighting a duel he was forced to leave Berlin, and went into early retirement.
Context: He did not believe that the people should be governed by an absolute ruler and fought against them.
Summary: This is a short writing on how Segur think that the ruling family is not as solid in their rule over him and his countrymen as they think. He knew that soon they will fall and he will be there to see it.
Quotes: "The heads of our noble family, believing themselves as unshakable as a monarchy, slept without fear upon a volcano."
Another quote to consider is: "Indifferent to the real affairs of state as to their own they allowed themselves to be governed..."
ReplyDeleteI think you did a nice job giving an extensive author bio but I think the context could have been a little bit deeper. The main point of the essay is that the nobility are totally oblivious to what is happening in the government and only focused on the superficial changes of the country like a new style of dress. Basically they have no worries about what is/will occur because they are consumed with their expensive traditions and hobbies.