re: joli, it's also what Heinrich uses in his half German, half French letter to little Ferdinand
Oh, right, I remember that now! Which would be another data point towards meaning something similar to "well-behaved".
It definitely sounds like SD (and Wilhelmine) feel the need to reassure FW.
Definitely agreed. Which makes it a bit harder to judge how Fritz himself really felt, as they'd both be very inclined to play up his enjoyment of playing soldier at that age, but the fact that they have to do it in the first place points towards at least the fear of cannons/gunfire. Inhowfar he liked/disliked the other aspects at that age is a bit less certain. But as you mention re:AW, it's also a question of imagination/understanding and what the kids think they are doing, plus a possible desire to please/be like dad. SD once writes (in 1715) that Fritz said he wanted to join FW and help him kill the King of Sweden with a big cannon.
In 1728, he'd be six years, so the same age as poor Fritz when SD feels the need to write those reassurances
Two years older actually, given that the reassurances re: Fritz start in 1716 (at least).
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Re: Fritz and fear of gunfire
Date: 2021-06-06 04:30 pm (UTC)Oh, right, I remember that now! Which would be another data point towards meaning something similar to "well-behaved".
It definitely sounds like SD (and Wilhelmine) feel the need to reassure FW.
Definitely agreed. Which makes it a bit harder to judge how Fritz himself really felt, as they'd both be very inclined to play up his enjoyment of playing soldier at that age, but the fact that they have to do it in the first place points towards at least the fear of cannons/gunfire. Inhowfar he liked/disliked the other aspects at that age is a bit less certain. But as you mention re:AW, it's also a question of imagination/understanding and what the kids think they are doing, plus a possible desire to please/be like dad. SD once writes (in 1715) that Fritz said he wanted to join FW and help him kill the King of Sweden with a big cannon.
In 1728, he'd be six years, so the same age as poor Fritz when SD feels the need to write those reassurances
Two years older actually, given that the reassurances re: Fritz start in 1716 (at least).