It was one of the first quotes by Oscar Wilde, and he said it while gazing up at these two vases.
"I am trying to live up to my china".
2006-12-11 06:20:21 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Quotations
Good quality 'bone china' was the mark of affluence and of culture, as well as being meant to look nice.
Oscar was saying he aimed to be 'worthy' of the value, culture and attractiveness of his material surroundings, while 'digging' at those in society who had the "extras", but weren't 'worthy' of them. (Like the self-made millionaire who buys expensive crystal - then drinks beer from it. Or the peole who buy a house just for it's proximity to other people who are famous, etc.)
["Class" has been mentioned in relation to 'china'. Do you know that it can still be told by the way people pour tea from a teapot? - None of this tea-bag rubbish!
"Upper class" tea is poured first, then milk added, if wanted. Other classes put the milk in first, then pour the tea.
So?
After a while, putting the tea in first builds up stains on the 'china'. "Upper class" people simply replaced their china - "plebs" couldn't! They either had to scour the inside with salt and/or baking soda, or drink out of stained cups!]
2006-12-11 08:10:13 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
China is only worth anything if it is whole. No one wants chipped and cracked china. The same is said by many of people. Today we refer to it as baggage. No one wants someone with too much baggage. That "whole" idea of the well-rounded person is an ideal that has followed throughout the ages.
2006-12-11 23:32:06 · answer #2 · answered by ejbaumann06 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It has do do with class. His china is classy and he wants to be cool enough for it. Like when you see skeezy chicks wearing like prada- They aren't good enough for it. And in the end it's all facetious anyway.. it's Oscar Wilde's way of making fun of society. He's saying like "you people feel the need to have this beautiful china that you don't even feel good enough for"
2006-12-11 14:41:57 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
he sees greatness in the vases, he would love to live a life as great as they look. he is trying to live up to what they seem to him, in his eyes.
2006-12-11 15:09:25 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It has to do with class he wants to be pretty
2006-12-11 15:50:29 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
he wats to be pretty
2006-12-11 14:28:12 · answer #6 · answered by red_star_56 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋