I think it has been appropriated as the essence of Englishness, (W.I anyone?), but I think many of those singing it aren't aware that Blake was not being complimentary but critical of our burgeoning industrial society. Aah, that's us Brits for you, show us a stick, and we'll get the wrong end of it :lol:.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fen
Seriously though, without being jingoistic, a trait I hate, we seem to be able to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat and beat the odds time and again. I suppose because of watching the Dunkirk commemorations, that came to my mind. It was an astounding defeat, but the courageousness of all those involved, with the mass evacuation and rescue of 1000s of men by all those little ships and fisherman, sailors, etc. many of whom were not in the military, was just astonishing. Crecy, Agincourt, and the Battle of Britain were all massive victories against the odds too. Perhaps it's something in our nature, stubborness, or blind stupidity, but there you go. I remember my old History teacher, who was American incidentally, so perhaps saw something in us that we didn't see ourselves, saying that what Churchill asked of the British people, and got, was something that Hitler could never ask of the German people during the war, even though he was a dictator. Perhaps it was because he was just that though, I don't know, I'm waffling. I suppose I'm just saying that I think the British character, with the old stereotype of the "plucky little Brit", maybe has some truth in it and should be there.
I can't believe that Shakespeare isn't on there, one of the many omissions, and one of the first things/people I would think most of the rest of the world see as quintessentially English. I would go with a cup of tea though, as it's certainly the first thing I always reach for, along with pretty much everyone I know. It's ingrained in me to put the kettle on as often as I can, from morning to night, and I think there would be a mutiny if my tea-dinking privileges were taken away from me at work :nod::lol:.
