'I am just going outside and may be some time.'

steeljack · 06-09-2007, 06:54

ok , why whenever I hear this famous quote do I surpress a smirk/giggle ?

£40,000 estimate on Captain Oates case - Telegraph

maybe it's from a 'monty python' skit , but why has this quote come down into the English language as an example of British/English pomposity and upper crust valor ? is it because it sounds so 'John Cleesian" or just an example of a time/era long gone ?

WillowTheWhisp · 06-09-2007, 07:01

I can't imagine anyone being so noble these days but I could be wrong. I watched an old film on TV when we were on holiday, starring David Niven. He'd been court martialled and could have presented a letter from his wife as evidence that would have proved his innocence but despite the fact that she was leaving him he wouldn't submit it as evidence because it would have shown her in a poor light and he wouldn't do that to her. So he was found guilty.

Mind you, good prevailed in the end because someone else came up with something and he was going to appeal against the sentence but that's where the film ended.

They just don't make 'em like that any more.

steeljack · 06-09-2007, 07:21

sorry Willow , you will have to wait for karma ,

it's the 'Britishness' like in the 'Four Feathers' which seems to have gone away and has been replaced by cynicism, and oppertunism

WillowTheWhisp · 06-09-2007, 07:38

It's so hard to define 'Britishness' when somebody asks you too but I think you hit the nail on the head there.

garinda · 06-09-2007, 08:00

Did the upper classes really practice 'noblesse oblige', or was it all propaganda, facilitated by J. Arthur Rank etc?

Most of then were happy for the peasants to be kept down mines, in the mill, or up a chimney.

WillowTheWhisp · 06-09-2007, 08:24

Well I know the film was fiction but Oates wasn't.

cashman · 06-09-2007, 09:58

think its a wonderful story of a time long ago and gone forever probably,Britishness describes it perfectly to me, though younger ones will possibly not have a clue what we are on about.

Tealeaf · 06-09-2007, 10:28

The quote comes from Scott's diary, written shortly before he himself died. I cannot see any logical reason why the good Captain may have made it up.

Lampman · 06-09-2007, 15:50

I was once told that Oates was not fit enough for the venture but Scott had included him based on past reputation,perhaps he somewhat embellished the final hours....No one will ever know.

Eric · 06-09-2007, 18:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by cashman

think its a wonderful story of a time long ago and gone forever probably,Britishness describes it perfectly to me, though younger ones will possibly not have a clue what we are on about.

Not really all that long ago, just a shade beyond living memory. And the spirit of Oates did not die with him; it was still alive in 1940. I am reminded of one of my favorite quotes, from Len Deighton's "Blood, Tears, and Folly": "half a century has passed, and the time has come to sweep away the myths and reveal the no less inspiring gleam of that complex and frightening time in which evil was in the ascendant, goodness diffident, and the British - impetuous, foolish and brave beyond measure - the world's only hope." That's Britishness ... unfortunately it is, if not dead, at least on its last legs. When courage and self sacrifice have become something to smirk at and to question, we are in a sad state.

lindsay ormerod · 06-09-2007, 21:21

Capt Scott and Oates in particular are firm favourites of my Mum; I agree with her and have to admire their determination and bravery.
For Oates to walk out of the tent to his certain death takes a hell of a lot of " cojones" , that bloke was brave.
I can't imagine what drives people to do these incredible feats but they have my utmost admiration.