"Dimly can be perceived a light which seems to bear no relation to the present one, conducted apparently to a different rhythm by a different species of being, reacting to a totally different scheme of behavior. Bewhiskered monarchs write stiff family notes to each other before going out to shoot stag or bird, tiara'd queens whisper behind their fans, frock-coated statesman hurry from capital to capital and debate in solemn enclave (occasionally one is shot), while tight collard and cloth-capped masses alternately riot or cheer, fortified the while on ale, wine, or porter, at penny a pint. Away in a far corner a square of British infantry in blue and scarlet repels cavalry charges or hordes of fanatical natives. Perhaps the most astonishing aspect...is that the sun seems to have been shining all the time."-Barry Pitt
Historical Context
The Progressive Era was marked by the peak of a century's advancement in technology, the change from man power to steam and electricity. In this time of innovation, there was a type of competition in building fantastical steam liners. Germany and Ireland were leaders. Titanic's immensity took the world by storm and beat out competitors like Mauritania and Lusitania.
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“Beautiful credit! The foundation of modern society. Who shall say that this is not the golden age of mutual trust, of unlimited reliance upon human promises? That is a peculiar condition of society which enables a whole nation to instantly recognize point and meaning in the familiar newspaper anecdote, which puts into the mouth of a distinguished speculator in lands and mines this remark: 'I wasn't worth a cent two years ago, and now I owe two millions of dollars.” -Mark Twain, The Gilded Age