Marie Antoinette - The Great Misnomer by Andrew

Marie Antoinette - The Great Misnomer by Andrew - February 2016 Scholarship Essay

Fortunately we interact with great historical figures everyday thanks to journal entries, mathematics in textbooks and other discoveries leading to today’s society. The historical figure that I would have lunch with, however, would be Marie Antoinette, the Queen of France in the 18th century, the legacy of this aristocrat were misnomers due gossiping tabloids with little understanding depicted from her.
Imagine any politician coming into office during a financial crisis. Regardless of their actions they will be criticized, blamed and under consistent scrutiny for any problem arising within their economy. The French saw Madam Antoinette as the source of all problems; her elaborate parties, exquisite taste in fine foods and her famous fashions may not have helped in persuading them otherwise. But if you ask me, is regular behavior of anybody becoming queen by age 19.
Because she did not enjoy reading or writing and lacked an education, our understanding of her are from the records of others. In fact, the response she is most famous for “Let them eat cake.” after hearing of peasants with no bread to eat, is a complete misnomer stated by a civilian blaspheming the queen’s downward spiraling reputation. These common misleading tabloids catalyzed and riled the Revolution to overthrow the monarch through violent political turmoil and the beheading of many aristocrats, herself included.
The historical figure I choose to dine with was misunderstood, misrepresented yet lived a rich and vivacious life. With her background as Queen of France I imagine us developing deep discussions on current situations and embrace our ideas of a peaceful and fabulous future. I will also tell her of my goals to becoming a physician because I believe it is my mission to help others and hopefully, if persuasive enough, she may generously donate her royal riches to my checking account to help me pursue that dream and help make the world a better place. A world that Marie Antoinette and I have always dreamed about.