The Diary of Samuel Marchbanks (A Diary from 1947!! 😱)
What a rare find I stumbled upon! 😀 While searching through a Little Library, I came across a DIARY from the year 1947!! 😱
Now, I should clarify... Unfortunately, it is not someone's own personal diary; it is a published diary by Canadian journalist, Robertson Davies. It was meant to chronicle the day-to-day life of Canadians during the Atomic Age, as portrayed through the fictional character of Samuel.
However, as rooted in fiction as this diary may be, it comes with an awfully strange disclaimer! 😅
Reading literature from nearly 80 years ago was very refreshing! It was interesting to ponder the differences between then and now.
Perhaps the most prominent (and hilarious) difference is Samuel's daily struggle with his furnace.
"Sometimes I wonder why I don't jump into the furnace myself, and end it all."
"In twenty years, furnaces ... will be antiques, and we shall look back laughingly at the era of bi-weekly ash collection."
It was fascinating to see what a rarity other cultures' food was during this era.
"In Chinatown, where I ate such food as only the gods and a few particularly favoured mortals are privileged to taste."
Of course, given how soon World War II had ended, there were plenty of references to Hitler, and a few to the Great Depression as well.
"... when the rain of stockbrokers jumping from upstairs windows made a walk down St. Catherine's Street quite dangerous."
Inflation has certainly hit different today: $38 would be nearly $600! 😵💫
"Decided that what I really ought to do is give away the $37.72 which I have in the bank, and declare myself destitute."
What isn't surprising, however, is how many similarities exist today, to the point where it GREATLY outweighs the differences! 🙏
Gender stereotypes are explored, with very little having changed, to be honest...
"A girl, they thought, would be much easier to bring up ... This is a misconception about the nature of daughters, which should be exploded."
"The idea that women are sympathetic is grossly overdone."
There were a few references to the parenting styles back then; one even alluded to "gentle parenting!"
"But her mother, like many other mothers, had got hold of a wrong idea, and would not use common sense, if she had any."
"Nowadays, with our weak-kneed kindness, we are raising a generation of nincompoops and clodhoppers."
Samuel discussed how socialists used democracy as a disguise.
"Today I read of a movement among artists of the Left Wing to destroy art altogether."
"Canada exports brains and talent with the utmost recklessness ... instead of having one of the highest living standards."
The stupidity of cyclists was an issue even back then, and the attitude reserved for them was the same!
"In spite of their stupidity, cyclists rarely get themselves killed."
Questioning authority, and whether or not government knows best...
"... it had been banned from sale in Canada. ... Why is it that my government ... can tell me what I may not read?"
"It is a wicked shame that the government should take a big chunk of my earnings away from me, without so much as telling me what the money is to be used for."
The conflict between Israel and Palestine was mentioned as early as 1947!
"There were the usual printed appeals urging me to hasten to Palestine and give my life in the cause of Jewish freedom."
The influence of religion was beginning to decline.
"Spiritual impotence is the curse of our country as it is."
But, what is perhaps the most striking similarity, is the constant stupidity of humanity!! 🤦♀️
"... when the next war comes, is to recruit those who are unable to pass certain basic intelligence tests. This would be a good way of getting rid of a lot of the stupid people who cumber the earth."
"The disease of bad manners is outstripping them all."
"What a pain in the neck it is in those who are assumed to have reached maturity!"
There was never a direct mention as to where Samuel was living (I believe it was Peterborough), but I was treated to a real delight when there was mention of my hometown in the diary! 😂
"I see that a girl who was in the Hamilton beauty contest is complaining that 12 of the 62 contestants wore 'falsies' to give greater impression to their pectoral development."
THEN, as if this book wasn't enough of a treat!: there is a handwritten note from the same year of 1947! 😱 (Unfortunately I cannot "translate" all of the words, so if anyone can help, it would be greatly appreciated 🙏)
"Was a young lady who was ____ to _____ and me. Sr. Bookkeeper 1942-49. It was a standing joke in that era. One who had been with a fine 10 year record pay equal to an _____ _____. She still signs herself $23.50 when writing to me.
"Sorry about your eye. In time other senses will compensate. I have been deaf for ten years + find that I use my eyes more than normally. Went on a trip with a sighted + hearing sister-in-law and ____ to Canada having greater knowledge of the country than has she -- and she's much smarter than am I. There's always hope if one accepts both disabilities + misunderstandings.
"Sincerely, J.H."
That will do it for this week's review, along with the other surprise that I encountered! 😄🥰 I hope that you found some of the passages as interesting as I did! 80 years ago might seem like a long time, but the fact that the similarities unite as through the tests of time brings me comfort. We never truly change, do we?! 😭🤦♀️
