The past is a foreign country; they do whatever they please there.
[Book] THE PAST IS A FOREIGN COUNTRY; THEY DO WHATEVER THEY PLEASE THERE. - L.P. Hartley’s Reflection on Historical Perspective
Suggests that historical contexts and values differ markedly from our own.
L.P. Hartley’s "The Go-Between" uses this line to encapsulate the idea that the past operates under different norms and may be unrecognizable or misunderstood in the present. It highlights the elusive and often idealized nature of memory and how historical distance can alter our perception of events. This philosophical insight invites readers to consider the reliability of memory and the subjective interpretation of past events, influencing both literary and historical discussions about the nature of history and memory.
Example Sentences
L.P. Hartley
The Go-Between
This line opens the novel, setting the tone for a story about memories and their impact, first published in 1953.
