February 27, 2009; first archival work day in the Lilly Library.
While exploring the artifacts laid out for us, I discovered the works of Annie Besant. Although there were two pamphlets of hers available for viewing, I did not have enough time to view both. I chose to look at her pamphlet titled English Republicanism. Wasting no time, Besant immediately begins explaining republicanism, who it effects, and why it’s so great. From my brief overview, Besant appeared to be writing this pamphlet to educate people on the benefits of a Republican society and Republicanism. Besant introduces Republicanism by comparing its growth in England to plants. A notable quote from her text reads “Republicanism in England is a feeling that is ever growing beneath the surface, but only rarely shows its self above ground” (Besant 1). With this quote Besant introduces her audience to the idea that Republicanism is growing underground. She then defines the perfect form of Republicanism. Based on her perfect definition of Republicanism she explains to her audience the optimal conditions for which a republic society calls for. Forming her main idea within the pamphlet she states that “nation should never give its self to the hands of one man” meaning that the people should be the ones directing the decisions made by the government. This quote lead to Besant’s conclusion at the end of her pamphlet that England should become a Republic, but the question is when?
Besant’s argument for a perfect Republic in England is structured with straightforward coherence towards her audience. Hoping they understand what she is to inform them of, Besant defines Republicanism right away. With simplistic logic, Besant organizes her pamphlet into an easy to follow flow of thought that naturally answers any of the audiences questions that could arise from each section of her argument. Since this artifact is a pamphlet her organization of information is very basic. One notable feature that I cam across was Besant’s reference to Minerva in her pamphlet. We have seen this reference before in Fuller’s text. In the context of Besant’s text she is using Minerva as a symbolic contrast to the ill developed notion of Republicanism in England. While reading Besant’s pamphlet some questions did arise: How many people actually read her pamphlet? What larger social movement inspired the creation of this pamphlet? Did this pamphlet have any sort-of social impact on England? Hopefully with more work in the Lily Library, I will be able to unveil answers to some of these questions.
Citation: Besant, Annie. English Republicanism. London: Freethought Publishing Co., Printed by Annie Besant and Charles Brandlaugh, [n.d.], 8 pages.
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Gwen, what an incredible connection to the Roman Minerva from Margaret Fuller's text! So, Minerva must be what Killingsworth would call a "trope," and that raises the question for me whether Fuller and Besant used the trope in the same way or towards different ends (or differently towards the same end)? You do also have me curious about the social movement that might have sparked discussions and definitions of "English Republicanism." I'm already realizing that the term carries much more connotation and meaning than I at first realized.
ReplyDelete-Dr. Graban