One of the perils of writing fiction is getting distracted with various research rabbit trials. I came across this gem the other day, finding one of those rare rabbit trails that bear unintended fruit.
It is one of the oldest arguments that exist between mother and daughter. I have had it with Kayla, my mom had it with all three of her daughters, and I’m willing to bet that she had the discussion with her mother also. It always begins with a variation on the question, “You aren’t going to wear that, are you?” I have also run across versions of the argument in mystery novels when characters include a mother and a daughter.
I was struck with the agelessness of the argument when I came across the following excerpt from a letter written by the Empress Maria Theresa of the Hapsburg Empire to her daughter, Marie Antionette in the late 1700s. It was published in the Sep./Oct. 2016 issue of National Geographic History as a sidebar to an article written by Maria Pilar Queralt del Hierro called “Rococo Revolution: Marie Antoinette’s Courtier Couture”, pp. 10-13. The Empress wrote the letter to her daughter after she received a painting of her daughter after Marie became queen of France.
As you know, I have always been of the opinion that fashions should be followed in moderation but should never be taken to extremes. A beautiful young woman, a graceful queen, has no need for such madness. On the contrary, simplicity of dress is more befitting and more worthy of a queen. I love my little queen and watch everything you do and feel I must not hesitate to draw your attention to this little frivolity.
And no, I didn’t get any more writing done that evening, but I still feel like I gained something.
What interesting rabbit trails have you encountered while writing?
Love it! And yes, I still have the "you're not really going to wear that" discussion with my daughters.
ReplyDeleteI heard that same comment from my mother as well. But I can also recall a few instances where I can't believe she allowed me to go out in that get-up. I guess she chose her battles.
ReplyDeleteAs for rabbit holes, I'm constantly getting sucked into them for a variety of topics. You never know what interesting tidbit you might need.
After going to a young niece's college graduation party (her father is my brother, a fairly strict father, and a long-time cop who has a tendency to see danger in every corner) I had to come back and apologize to my own daughter about the "You're not going out in that, are you?" comments I've made over the years. Obviously I am way behind the fashion times.
ReplyDeleteYou nailed this one - all of us have had it at some point. Interestingly, we'll let a 2 year old or 3 year old learning to dress themselves create any outfit they like, but then..... Why the double standard between mothers and daughters?
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