The Charm of the Familiar by Agnes Repplier
"The Charm of the Familiar" by Agnes Repplier explores the tension between the allure of novelty and the comfort of familiarity. Repplier argues that while many people embrace change and innovation, finding joy in the new and different, there exists a minority who are deeply attached to the familiar and resistant to change. She suggests that this attachment is often linked to nostalgia and the emotional connections formed with objects and experiences from the past. Repplier illustrates her point by discussing personal grievances, such as the replacement of old theater curtains and the redesign of magazine covers, which disrupt the continuity of cherished memories. She contrasts the modern inclination towards change, particularly among women, with the conservative preference for the old and familiar, as seen in the writings of figures like Sir Francis Doyle and Mr. Lang. Ultimately, Repplier posits that while progress and novelty are celebrated by many, there remains a significant charm in the familiar that is often overlooked in the relentless pursuit of the new.
By Agnes Repplier · First published 1919 · Genre: Literary Essay, Cultural Criticism, Nonfiction · 2,169 words
First lines
Those persons are happiest in this restless and mutable world who are in love with change, who delight in what is new simply because it differs from what is old; who rejoice in every innovation, and find a strange alert pleasure in all that is, and that has never been before. With little things as with big ones, this sentiment is the sentiment of our day. "Unrest," says Schopenhauer, "is the mark of existence," and the many trifling details of ordinary life evince on every side the same keen relish for novelty, the same careless disregard of the familiar. Especially is this the case with women, who feel less wistfully than men the subtle charm of association, and who have less sympathy than men for the dear, faulty, unlovely, well-loved things of their youth. No woman could have written those pathetic lines of Mr. Lang's on St. Andrews:
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The Charm of the Familiar is listed on Textopian as an essay by Agnes Repplier, dated 1919 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Essay
- Author: Agnes Repplier
- Date: 1919 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Essay, Cultural Criticism, Nonfiction, Social Commentary, Aesthetics
- Length: 2,169 words
- Structure: 1 section, 12 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
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- Work identity for The Charm of the Familiar by Agnes Repplier
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Genres
- Literary Essay — The work employs an essayistic style to reflect on life, art, and the nature of familiarity versus change.
- Cultural Criticism — It critically examines contemporary cultural trends, particularly the shift from the old to the new in aesthetics and society.
- Nonfiction — The text is a reflective, factual commentary on personal and societal changes without fictional embellishment.
- Social Commentary — It offers insightful observations about social behaviors and the collective attitude towards tradition and innovation.
Tags
essays · everyday life · domestic · observation · aesthetics · philosophy · nostalgia · culture · reflection · introspection · perception · simplicity