Chivalry ~ Alive, Dead or Napping?

[νєяαℓι∂αιиє]

Isabelle wrote: "νєяαℓι∂αιиє wrote: "are nice only when they aren't with their friends.

One reason for this I guess is that around their friends they feel more comfortable so they think they can act as they like..."

Yes, I see what you mean, I do the same thing...

[L]

Here's an interesting thought...

I am reminded of Mary-Anne's remarks in Austen's Sense & Sensibility when contemplating her sister's regard for Edward.

She said - - and i Quote

..."Can the soul really be satisfied with such polite affection? To love is to burn, to be on fire...like Gweneviere or Juliet or Elle-louise"

Then her mother points out that they had rather tragic ends to their lives.

"How can you say such a thing! To die for love...what could be more glorius"

(with Mrs. dashwood remarking how Mary-Anne is taking her romantic sensibilities a little too far!).

Just a thought. There is a difference between cordiality of affection, politeness and showing fondness for someone. Then there is heated passion - - perhaps in the 21st Century we have bridged the divide between chivalry and physical attraction.

[Gavin]

Dead, I hope. We're living in the age of taking down gender roles, so chivalry has to go too. don't kill me ladies!

[Beck]

Gavin wrote: "Dead, I hope. We're living in the age of taking down gender roles, so chivalry has to go too. don't kill me ladies!"

Thank you! Chivalry depends on women being "ladylike" and that attitude and limited view of gender has to be eliminated.

[Booknut, Head Moderator]

Bekka wrote: "Chivalry depends on women being "ladylike" and that attitude and limited view of gender has to be eliminated."

Very, very true.

[johanna (jo)]

Alive, in my opinion, only extremely rare. But that depends on all your definitions of chivalry, which seem to differ with each argument.

[Theodosia of the Fathomless Hall]

Mmm. Agreed, Jo! It's quite subjective. Chivalry... You have to be courteous, loyal, and good to yourself too, without relying on somebody else! That is my opinion.

In books I think they take chivalry for granted, and it equating goodness for granted as well.

Not to say chivalry is a bad thing: If it was vital for women to have their hands bowed over and helped from carriages, suffrage, female rights, and that ilk would have been impeded.

In My Humble Opinion, in essence it's a matter of being courteous. I cannot complain about that!

[Jazzy]

Chivalry, in my personal opinion, is a general respect of other people's time and person, seeing what needs to be done and doing it, and treating people with politeness, kindness, and gentility. I think that to find chivalrous men, you have to first be a chivalrous woman. If a man is only chivalrous to the lady he is romantically (or sexually, unfortunately) interested in, he's not chivalrous at all. I try to hold myself to the same standards I hold a man I'm interested in and therefore I have yet to find a man who reaches the mark.