The Parisians
spoke of Paris like it was the apple of their eye. They were not
bashful about their enlightened city nor the effects that it had
on its people. Parisians were aware of their stature and importance
to the rest of the world. Although they were never outright pompous,
for that would not be in good taste, the Parisians did see themselves
as progressive and great people.
Parisians
saw in themselves many of the same characteristics as foreigners.
A Parisian was so well defined in their ways that it was likely
that they held the same perspective.
The overwhelming
pride Parisians had for their city, ideas, and fashion was often
misunderstood for superiority, snobbery, and vanity. However,
Parisians did not understand this, because they thought of themselves
as a dignified people who simply valued their art, culture,
and intellectual ability and were eager to share it with others.
Intellectual
stimulation was very important to the Parisians. They saw their
quick wit and deep knowledge as a very important and distinctive
part of who they were. It shaped the atmosphere of the salons
and the tone of their renowned style of conversation.
The view
that Parisians had of themselves was high, as they were constantly
reminded of their greatness by the rest of the world. However,
they themselves were also aware of their unique characteristics,
and attributed them to the influence of rich history, culture
and modern ideas, which flourished in Paris.
"Ah!
It is easy to declaim against the frivolities and vices of Parisian
Society, as it appears on the surface...but descend below the
surface...and nowhere on earth might the angel have beheld the
image of humanity more amply vindicating its claim to the heritage
of heaven" (Lytton, Volume II, 444).
