Past and Present (book)
Encyclopedia
Past and Present is a book by Thomas Carlyle
published in April 1843 in England and in May in the United States. It combines medieval history with criticism of 19th century British society. It was written in seven weeks, as a respite from the harassing labor of writing Cromwell. In 1842, the Camden Society had published the Chronicles of the Abbey of Saint Edmund's Bury, written by Jocelin of Brakelond, at the close of the 12th century. This account of a medieval monastery had taken Carlyle's fancy, and he draws upon the chronicle in order to contrast the monks' reverence for work and heroism with the sham leadership of his own day.
in an elevated style of rhetoric invoking Classical allusions (such as Midas
and the Sphinx
) and fictional caricatures (such as Bobus and Sir Jabesh Windbag). Carlyle complains that despite England's abundant resources, the poor are starving and unable to find meaningful work, as evinced by the Manchester Insurrection
. Carlyle argues that the ruling class needs to guide the nation, and supports an "Aristocracy of Talent." However, in line with his concept of "Hero-Worship" Carlyle argues that first the English people must themselves become heroic, in order to esteem true heroes rather than quacks.
Book 2: The Ancient Monk - Carlyle presents the history of Samson of Tottington
, a 12th century monk who become Abbot of Bury St. Edmunds
, as chronicled by Jocelin of Brakelond. Carlyle describes Samson as a lowly monk with no formal training or prior leadership experience who, on his election to the position of abbot, worked earnestly and diligently to overcome the economic and spiritual maladies that had befallen the abbey under the rule of the prior abbot, Hugo. Carlyle concludes from this history that despite the primitive knowledge and superstitions of these monks (he refers to them repeatedly as "blockheads") they were able to recognize and promote genuine leadership, in contrast to contemporary Englishmen:
Carlyle presents his history as the narrative of the lives of men and their deeds, rather than as a dry chronicle of external details. To this end, he repeatedly contrasts his history with the style of the fictional historian Dryasdust
.
Book 3: The Modern Worker
Book 4: Horoscope
Thomas Carlyle
Thomas Carlyle was a Scottish satirical writer, essayist, historian and teacher during the Victorian era.He called economics "the dismal science", wrote articles for the Edinburgh Encyclopedia, and became a controversial social commentator.Coming from a strict Calvinist family, Carlyle was...
published in April 1843 in England and in May in the United States. It combines medieval history with criticism of 19th century British society. It was written in seven weeks, as a respite from the harassing labor of writing Cromwell. In 1842, the Camden Society had published the Chronicles of the Abbey of Saint Edmund's Bury, written by Jocelin of Brakelond, at the close of the 12th century. This account of a medieval monastery had taken Carlyle's fancy, and he draws upon the chronicle in order to contrast the monks' reverence for work and heroism with the sham leadership of his own day.
Summary
Book 1: Proem - Carlyle expresses his ideas about the Condition of England questionCondition of England question
The "Condition of England Question" was a phrase coined by Thomas Carlyle in 1839 to describe the conditions of the English working-class during the Industrial Revolution.See: Thomas Carlyle's ...
in an elevated style of rhetoric invoking Classical allusions (such as Midas
Midas
For the legend of Gordias, a person who was taken by the people and made King, in obedience to the command of the oracle, see Gordias.Midas or King Midas is popularly remembered in Greek mythology for his ability to turn everything he touched into gold. This was called the Golden touch, or the...
and the Sphinx
Sphinx
A sphinx is a mythical creature with a lion's body and a human head or a cat head.The sphinx, in Greek tradition, has the haunches of a lion, the wings of a great bird, and the face of a woman. She is mythicised as treacherous and merciless...
) and fictional caricatures (such as Bobus and Sir Jabesh Windbag). Carlyle complains that despite England's abundant resources, the poor are starving and unable to find meaningful work, as evinced by the Manchester Insurrection
Peterloo Massacre
The Peterloo Massacre occurred at St Peter's Field, Manchester, England, on 16 August 1819, when cavalry charged into a crowd of 60,000–80,000 that had gathered to demand the reform of parliamentary representation....
. Carlyle argues that the ruling class needs to guide the nation, and supports an "Aristocracy of Talent." However, in line with his concept of "Hero-Worship" Carlyle argues that first the English people must themselves become heroic, in order to esteem true heroes rather than quacks.
Book 2: The Ancient Monk - Carlyle presents the history of Samson of Tottington
Samson of Tottington
Samson of Tottington was an English Benedictine monk who became Abbot of Bury St. Edmunds.-Life:...
, a 12th century monk who become Abbot of Bury St. Edmunds
Bury St. Edmunds
Bury St Edmunds is a market town in the county of Suffolk, England, and formerly the county town of West Suffolk. It is the main town in the borough of St Edmundsbury and known for the ruined abbey near the town centre...
, as chronicled by Jocelin of Brakelond. Carlyle describes Samson as a lowly monk with no formal training or prior leadership experience who, on his election to the position of abbot, worked earnestly and diligently to overcome the economic and spiritual maladies that had befallen the abbey under the rule of the prior abbot, Hugo. Carlyle concludes from this history that despite the primitive knowledge and superstitions of these monks (he refers to them repeatedly as "blockheads") they were able to recognize and promote genuine leadership, in contrast to contemporary Englishmen:
Carlyle presents his history as the narrative of the lives of men and their deeds, rather than as a dry chronicle of external details. To this end, he repeatedly contrasts his history with the style of the fictional historian Dryasdust
Dryasdust
Dryasdust was an imaginary and tediously thorough literary authority cited by Sir Walter Scott to present background information in his novels; thereafter, a derisory term for anyone who presents historical facts with no feeling for the personalities involved....
.
Book 3: The Modern Worker
Book 4: Horoscope