Proust Questionnaire

Fun and famous too. I encourage everyone to fill out their own answers to this survey invented by French writer Marcel Proust. Its very thorough, and really makes you delve deep into your thoughts and opinions about a variety of subjects.

Your Chief Characteristic:

- Probably humor, but you have to know me pretty well to see this.

The quality that I desire in a man.

- Humility… intellect.

The quality that I desire in a woman.

- Confidence

What I appreciate most about my friends.

- My best friends are very honest, which is a quality that I don’t think can be stressed enough.

My main fault:

- Anxiety.

My favorite occupation:

- Writing. Reading a good book or carrying on a good conversation.

My dream of happiness:

- This is a tough question. I think it would be that whenever all my immediate family is together , everyone has a good time no matter what we’re doing.

What would be my greatest misfortune?:

- I think if some act of cruelty that could have been prevented were to befall a friend or family member. That would be terrible.

What I should be like:

Haha, well… I should be someone who lives with intention and who follows her principles.

The country where I should like to live:

Always wanted to live on a farm in Switzerland. I hear they’re nice. Oh, or a farm in Africa so I can say I have something in common with Karen Blixen and her portrayer Meryl Streep.

My favorite color:

Green

The flower that I like:

My middle name is rose so I have a soft spot for those flowers, but I’d have to say gardenias. I don’t know any other flower that smells so good.

My favorite bird:

… Penguin?

My favorite prose authors:

Oh so many… off the top of my head William Faulkner, Joan Didion, Salinger, Joyce Carol Oates. I just finished Artists in a Time of War by Howard Zinn and thought it was phenomenal.

My favorite poets:

Now I’m just getting giddy. James Wright, W.H. Auden, John Berryman, William Stafford, Sharon Olds, Theodore Roethke. Love them all.

My favorite heroes in fiction:

Oh wow. Atticus Finch comes to mind.

My favorite heroines in fiction:

Scarlett O’Hara. That’s kind of a given, but she’s difficult to surpass in my book. Franny Glass. Hester Prynne.

My favorite composers:

Aaron Copland I like, but now that I think about it - I frequently listen to Thomas Newman (wrote soundtracks for Glory, Shawshank Redemption, American Beauty) when I write.

My favorite painters:

I’m thanking my sister (being that she was a fine arts major) for introducing me to so many wonderful artists over the years. Van Gogh, Henri Matisse and Friedensreich Hundertwasser are really great.

My heroes in real life:

My parents, my teachers - anyone whose influenced me and for the better.

My heroines in history:

What’s interesting is that there was no question about ‘heroes’ in history. I like this. Well, Eleanor Roosevelt and Joan of Arc were amazing women.

My favorite names:

For kids? I like Robby and Daisy.

What I hate most of all:

Arrogance. Anywhere. If I’m acting that way please tell me so.

Historical figures that I despise the most:

Hitler, Stalin come to mind, but I don’t feel like I know enough history to begin with.

The military event that I admire most:

I’m not sure what this question implies, but if it’s a reference to war I’m opposed to it so I’m not sure what answer to provide.

The reform which I admire most:

Equality.

The gift of nature that I would like to have:

Gift of nature? Hmm… like a talent that comes naturally to me? Oh, it’d have something to do with mathematic equations.

How I want to die:

In my asleep, and having done something productive.

My present state of mind:

Contemplative.

Faults for which I have the most indulgence:

Addiction to chocolate.

Your favorite motto:

It’s a classic, Carpe Diem.