If something foreign arrives at Paris, they either think they invented it, or that it has always been there. -Horace Walpole
In her book "A Great Improvisation: Franklin, France, and the Birth of America," Stacy Schiff explores the cultural dynamics of Paris during Benjamin Franklin's time. She highlights how the French have a tendency to embrace new ideas or innovations, often claiming them as their own or assuming they have always existed within their culture. This reflects both national pride and a unique perspective on foreign influences.
Schiff's narrative, supported by Horace Walpole's quote, illustrates the complexities of cultural exchange and appropriation. As Franklin engaged with French society, he witnessed firsthand how Paris would absorb and reinterpret foreign concepts, turning them into something distinctly French. This attitude played a crucial role in shaping the interactions between the United States and France during the formative years of American independence.
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All the things you can talk about in anyone's work are the things that are least important.
Race of Cain, ascend to heaven, And cast God down upon the earth!
