“bravery” doesn’t mean only “courage”;
it can also mean “dressing to show off.” Consider the rose in Herbert’s “Virtue,” with its “hue, angry and brave.”
Or, because the rose display can also include yellow, consider:
Or, sadomasochism of black and white.
Source: “Curtis Gillette.” George Grantham Bain Collection, Library of Congress, http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/ggb2006000900/. Photoshopped.
Sources: National Photo Company Collection, Library of Congress, http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/npc2008008383/ and http://www.loc.gov/pictures/collection/npco/item/npc2007018422/. Photoshopped.
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“The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation. What is called resignation is confirmed desperation. From the desperate city you go into the desperate country, and have to console yourself with the bravery of minks and muskrats. A stereotyped but unconscious despair is concealed even under what are called the games and amusements of mankind.”
— Walden, chapter 1
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Bravery: “Finery, fine clothes.” — Oxford English Dictionary, definition 3b
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72fpg4IO-yk
Click the pictures to enlarge. The link requires audio as well as video.