French Ways and Their Meaning

By Edith Wharton

Book Overview

"French Ways and Their Meaning" is an insightful and sophisticated analysis of the French character by the celebrated author Edith Wharton. In this non-fiction work, Wharton offers a deep cultural examination of the country she adopted as her home, exploring the fundamental differences between the American and French temperaments. Seeking to bridge the gap in understanding between the two nations, she provides a nuanced perspective on the social fabric of early 20th-century France.

Wharton identifies four essential virtues that she believes define the French spirit: reverence, thrift, intellectual honesty, and continuity. Through these lenses, she discusses various aspects of life, from social etiquette and family structures to the French approach to art and history. Her observations are sharp and refined, reflecting her unique position as an American with an intimate, firsthand knowledge of European society.

More than just a cultural guide, "French Ways and Their Meaning" is a timeless reflection on the values that sustain a civilization. Wharton's elegant prose and keen psychological insight make this work an invaluable resource for readers interested in sociology, history, and the enduring complexity of French culture.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1025669274
• ISBN13: 9781025669274
• Release Date: February 2026
• Publisher: Tradd Street Press
• Length: 172 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 6.1" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Looking at the French without starry eyes

Edith Wharton makes clear what being French means without a starry eyed view of Paris nights or glorification of sensuality. Wharton is first a social scientist and second an American writer living in France. This book is a description of various parts of French culture compared to her American perspective. Her candid discussion of the differences between French and American political culture makes clear how French history has shaped the distinctive Franco political and social cultures. I found the chapter on Taste to be particularly valuable. I had read "The Gospel According to Chanel" but did not really understand the French idea of taste. Unfortunately, Wharton's ideas on women are outdated, making only certain chapters of the book valuable for social science course reading. But, presented as a contrast to de Toqueville's French view on Americans and American democracy, the two volumes would offer interesting discussions about historical social science methodology.

Fine introduction.

This delightful little volume is a compilation of articles written for American troops bound for France in World War One. While their effect on the average doughboy may be questionable, they give a powerful and invaluable insight into one of the most perceptive minds of the age. Wharton, in her most engaging and always readable style, discusses First Impressions, and examines issues of Reverence, Taste, Intellectual Honesty, and Continuity, and, in her essay on the New Frenchwoman, reveals perhaps more about herself than her subjects. Highly recommended as a fine introduction to the author. (The numerical rating above is an ineradicable default setting within the format of the site. This reviewer does nor employ numerical ratings).