An Eton Essay Question for Claire, James, and all the Ricochetoise
Peter Robinson ·
Dec 6, 2011 at 9:08am
Bringing together two of the morning's threads, may I set an essay question for Claire Berlinski and Delingpole major?
Assume that Eton became coeducational several decades before it did. Assume further that one Margaret Hilda Roberts attended.
How would the history of one of the following have been different? You may limit your answer to one sentence.
a) The United Kingdom
b) Ireland
c) Argentina
d) The Soviet Union
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Comments :
Apr '11
Re: An Eton Essay Question for Claire, James, and all the Ricochetoise
You didn't ask me, but . . .
Ah, but how would Eton have been different?
More seriously, several of Thatcher's operating modes took advantage of the fact that she was dealing with men who had gone to public school and been raised in essentially single-sex environments almost all their sentient lives. The only adult females in their lives until University had been rather distant Mother and authoritative Matron (at school). They were socialized to win Matron's approval and had no idea how to deal with an attractive, powerful woman who could be, among other personae, a flirtatious femme or an angry screeching harridan.
Had the English public schools gone co-ed in the 1930s or even in the 1950s or 1960s, the sexual dynamics of Thatcher's Parliaments would have been different.
Has there ever been a suggestion that Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School made Margaret Thatcher? She was a bit of a student leader there, but at a co-ed Eton she would certainly have been a leader of the girl's side.
Would an Eton education have made her reluctant to stand up to the Commies, the TUC, the IRA, or Galtieri? I doubt it.
Re: An Eton Essay Question for Claire, James, and all the Ricochetoise
Ah, absolutely fascinating. Coeducation at Eton might not have changed Mrs. T, but it would have changed the men around her. I'd never thought of that, but I'm sure you're right. (At least I'm pretty sure you're right. I'll withhold my final judgement until Matron--uh, I mean Claire--let's us know what she thinks.)
Jan '11
Re: An Eton Essay Question for Claire, James, and all the Ricochetoise
Argentina for $400:
Obama would have apologized to them in their native tongue Argentinese for the American troops stationed in the Fauklans.
Apr '11
Re: An Eton Essay Question for Claire, James, and all the Ricochetoise
I'm not sure that it would have been possible to overcome the class warfare if she'd been a child of privilege, or even a scholarship girl at Eton. A lot of her moral righteousness and support from the people came from her ordinary background. If James Ma. wants his son to man the barricades in political fights, and believes that the kid has a Thatcher level of talent (and hence doesn't so much need the benefits of an Etonian education), he might be wise to send him elsewhere.
Re: An Eton Essay Question for Claire, James, and all the Ricochetoise
Outstanding, Grendel! Exactly right!
Yeah...ok, I am afraid I am going to disappoint you terribly by revealing to you that Reagan implored Thatcher, begged her, to stop the war and accept a negotiated settlement. (He feared the region's destabilization, leaving it vulnerable to Soviet adventurism.) She told him where to stuff it.
Apr '11
Re: An Eton Essay Question for Claire, James, and all the Ricochetoise
Well, I was disappointed when I read or heard you say that some time ago. It also cheered me that Thatcher showed no signs of going wobbly.
It would be taking unfair advantage of hindsight to blame Reagan too much for advancing America's interests. Reagan deserves credit for realizing that the risk was the chance that England would fail, and that given MT's persistence, the best--or best available--course was to present a united front and do what was possible to promote England's resounding success. ¡No imperialismo para USTED!
Jan '11
Re: An Eton Essay Question for Claire, James, and all the Ricochetoise
How embarrassing. I messed up. I thought the exercise was what would be different if Thatcher had not been Thatcher following Thatcher policies. Grendel's theory is indeed outstanding.
At least I kept my pathetic response to one sentence.
Re: An Eton Essay Question for Claire, James, and all the Ricochetoise
I think the short answer (and the long answer too) is knowing what we know of the Blessed Margaret, it wouldn't have made the blindest bit of difference. The Lady wasn't for turning.