🏛️ Elevated Excellence: Placing on Pedestals and the Art of Idealization 🌟
Definition: “To place on a pedestal” means to idealize or glorify someone or something, often to an unrealistic degree. This term originates from the literal practice of placing statues of saints and notable figures on pedestals for worship or admiration.
Synonyms:
- Idolize
- Exalt
- Venerate
- Glorify
- Magnify
Antonyms:
- Demean
- Deprecate
- Belittle
- Criticize
Juicy Quotes and Proverbs:
- “Never meet your heroes. They’ll always disappoint you.” — Anonymous
- “Hero worship is strongest where there is least regard for human freedom.” — Herbert Spencer
Similar Terms and Phrases:
- Feet of Clay
- Reference: Originates from the Bible’s book of Daniel. This implies a fundamental flaw in a person who is otherwise greatly admired (hint: They may fall off that pedestal!).
- Idolize
- Example: Kids often idolize celebrities, only to find out they’re just regular people off-screen.
- Golden Calf
- Proverb: “Don’t worship the golden calf,” meaning don’t idolize superficial or material things.
Cultural Context and Literary References:
- Literature: James Joyce’s “Ulysses” (1922) succinctly captures this sentiment with, “They discovered… that their idol had feet of clay, after putting him upon a pedestal.”
- Movies: Dead Poets Society — the idea of putting Mr. Keating on a pedestal explores the consequences of unrealistic idealization.
- Songs: Madonna’s “Cherish” where idealizing love sometimes blinds us to reality.
- Books: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald — Idealizing Daisy Buchanan leads to Gatsby’s downfall.
Inspirational Thought-Provoking Farewell: “Remember, the higher you place someone on a pedestal, the harder they might fall. Admire, but through the lens of reality.”
### Which of these phrases correctly describes exaggerated admiration?
- [ ] Praising beneath the lawn
- [ ] Hammered on a stoop
- [ ] Hidden under the bed
- [x] Placed on a pedestal
> **Explanation:** "Placed on a pedestal" correctly represents giving someone exaggerated admiration.
### True or False: "Feet of clay" refers to having a fundamental flaw.
- [x] True
- [ ] False
> **Explanation:** True! "Feet of clay" indicate a fundamental weakness or fault, even in those otherwise highly admired.
### Choose the equivalent phrase to "idealize":
- [ ] Demise
- [x] Idolize
- [ ] Neutralize
- [ ] Minimize
> **Explanation:** "Idolize" is a synonym of "idealize," both suggesting high admiration, often unrealistic.
### Which historic allegory relates to both 'pedestal' admiration ideals and inherent flaws?
- [ ] Pandora's Box
- [x] Golden Calf
- [ ] Trojan Horse
- [ ] Sisyphus’s Stone
> **Explanation:** "Golden Calf" captures the irony of misplaced admiration, much like idolizing someone while ignoring their flaws.
### Real-life example of being **placed on a pedestal**:
- [x] Celebrities admired by fans
- [ ] Books in a library
- [ ] Meals on a table
- [ ] Shoes on a rack
> **Explanation:** Celebrities are often seen 'on a pedestal' due to the adulation they receive from their fans.
