Diary+Entry+1+Peter+Kim

May 5th, 1789

Dear Diary,

Versailles is the perfect example of ostentation and extravagant squandering of Louis XVI. I can't believe that non of the leaders of the nation aren't caring at all for the peasants who are starving to death. Are they having a selfishness competition? There are people dying in famine, unable to by bread. And they just build another palace. This is nonsense. I still can't believe that the king is sucking every last coin of money from the citizens. to build himself a useless palace like this.

Few days ago, I've been delegated to participate in the three estate meeting. Actually, my father was supposed to go, but he insisted me to go because he was sick of politics and unfairness. And right now, I just came back from the conference.

On my way to the meeting, I have met sir Pierre Lafite at the gates of the three estate meeting. Always as usual, he had his brown overcoat, and a black hat with a feather on it. It was easy to figure out that it was him, even though he was far away. I knew him well, because he was a frequent customer to my blacksmith workshop. He came to purchase armor, weapons and other ironwork for his miniature army and himself. As all other nobles, he was hated by the villagers, including me.

After we encountered each other, we had a short conversation.

"Hey, who is this? My favorite blacksmith, Edgar!", called Sir Lafite. I could see lies in his eyes and his fake smile.

"Oh hello sir!", I replied. I had to, or he would do something to me for disrespecting. I really didn't want to talk to him, but I had to.

"How does your family do?" he asked.

I answered, "Ah my family is fine. My parents are healthy, and my siblings are growing taller everyday like bean stalks." Actually my younger brother and sister are growing like bean stalks in the drought. They barely have anything to eat.

"Then why is your face so grim?", he asked again. Was that even a question worthy to ask? I bet he knows that all of his people are starving do death. Last week, little Jacques, the farmer's son, stole a piece of bread, and caught. In result, he was beaten till he fainted.

"Sir.. actually, it has been really hard to buy bread and other food after paying all the taxes... So we couldnt eat that much these days.", I replied to his lame question.

"That's really painful to hear. I actually had to raise the taxes and rents myself to earn the same amount of money each year.", he said with hypocrisy in his voice. He had gotten fatter since last time he came to my workshop. I bet he eats pork and beef every meal while his people starve to death.

"Ah... then could you please at least consider about lowering the taxes in the future?", I asked desperately. I knew it wouldn't happen. But wouldn't it be at least worth a try?

"I don't have the greed to earn much money, but to just maintain my present life. When France's economy improves, I'll surely do that.", he answered. Obviously he wouldn't.

"Then I'll really look forward for it.", I answered hopelessly.

"Take care, edgar. I'll visit you sooner or later since my boy is going to be starting to learn sword."

"Thank you sir, I will see you during the meeting."

After the conversation, I fled into the meeting room, to not see the dreaded face of Sir Lafite. Luckily, my seat and his was very far away, so we did not see each other again.

The irony is that there are more people in the third estate than first and second estate combined. If a person from another country sees our estate meetings, that person might think that France is a country where the leadership listens to the peasants. However, it doesn't go like that. Each estate is able to cast 1 vote each, which makes the third estate lose every time since the first and second estate usually vote for the same thing, and the third votes for the other.

Frustration is building up in people. People are hungry for food and change. My father told me that France will go through something insane in a while. There needs to be something done. The unfairness between classes cannot be justified with any reason.