Ah, Thanksgiving traditions: Turkey, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie—and brutal political arguments among loved ones!
With this year’s holiday coming three weeks after a remarkably divisive presidential race, the media is doubling down on stories (for example, here, here, and here) about how to keep Cousin Mary from stabbing Uncle Fred with the carving knife before dessert is served. (tl;dr—Don’t Mention The Election!)
And so it is that we turn to the immortal works of Jane Austen for some apposite commentary:
“By an easy transition from a piece of rocky fragment and the withered oak which he had placed near its summit, to oaks in general, to forests, the enclosure of them, waste lands, crown lands and government, [Henry Tilney] shortly found himself arrived at politics; and from politics, it was an easy step to silence.” (Northanger Abbey, chapter 14)
Not such an easy step these days–but happy Thanksgiving anyway.
Comments