Among the French proletariat, it was extremely difficult to show compassion for her, in part because of her nationality. When household livre is scarce, bread even scarcer, unrest begins.

The resentment toward the rich and the ruling had already begun, deep inside the population, even before Marie-Antoinette crossed the border into France for the first time.

The events that followed worsen the image of the crown, and Marie-Antoinette was certainly made a scapegoat. The overwhelming and sometimes bizzare rumours were testament to such resentments.

Was the brutality of the revolution warranted? No, from a humanitarian point of view, and from that of Marie-Antoinette.

But from a broader sociological scope, it can be understood just how and why it happened.

Born of regal blood, and thrown into a frivolous world of French aristocratic debauchery, she was only living the life she was presented with. I felt that Coppola’s movie addressed that subject very clearly.

One thing that has been left unsaid – it was a tremendously difficult period for women to live in.

Cheers,
~r

5 years later(i.e last night), oddly enough, out of the blue I decided to give that movie another go. This time the movie went 120 minutes, and I was completely captured by it. In fact, I’ve seen it THREE times – in a row. The movie was her interpretation of the novel by Fraser.

Perplexed by everything, I started reading all materials surrounding the story/setting/piece/historical accounts/accuracy/fact & fiction.

Most articles I’ve come across attributed the sacking of the Bastille & the Women’s March as the primary turning points of the Revolution.

The story about the diamond necklace was something I did not knew about, until I stumbled upon this website.

I think the author has made a very valid argument about how the diamond necklace was the real catalyst behind the revolution.

I now wish to visit the Versailles ! No, I’m not a royalist supporter, nor am I a buorgeoise by any stretch of imagination. In fact, I consider Ernesto Guevara to be a true people’s hero (with some needed captions to clarify his life’s later decisions…)

With all that said, and what I’ve read so far about Marie-Antoinette, I am sympathetic for her.

Today’s corporate world can learn a lot from the events that lead to the French revolution.

Keep up the good work. Any web forum will attract the usual defractors and nay-sayers, but to keep a website running for 10 years is dedication. Just wanted to acknowledge that.

Cheers!

~r