a selection from Chapter 10 - Who is G.K.C.? THE BOER WAR--and the whole country enthusiastically behind it. The Liberal Party as a whole went with the Conservatives. The leading Fabians--Bernard Shaw, Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Webb, Hubert Bland, Cecil Chesterton and the "semi-detached Fabian" H. G. Wells--were likewise for the war. Only a tiny minority remained in opposition, most of whom were pacifists or cranks of one kind or another. To the sane minority of this minority Gilbert found himself belonging. It is something of a tribute to the national feeling at such a moment of tension that (as an American has noted) "Chesterton was the one British writer, utterly unknown before, who built up a great reputation, and it was gained, not through nationalistic support, but through determined and persistent opposition to British policy."* [* Chesterton, by Cyril Clemens, p. 20.] In his Daily News column a correspondent later asked him to define his position. Chesterton replied, "The unreasonable patriot is one who sees the faults of his fatherland with an eye which is clearer and more merciless than any eye of hatred, the eye of an irrational and irrevocable love." His attitude sprang, he claimed, not from defect but from excess of patriotism. It is hard to imagine anything that would clarify better the ideas of a strong mind than finding itself in opposition. This opposition began at home, in argument with Cecil. Later the two brothers would agree about most main issues, but now Cecil was a Tory democrat, Gilbert a pro-Boer, and what was known as a little Englander. The tie between the two brothers was very close. As the "Innocent Child" developed into the combative companion, there is no doubt that he proportionately affected Gilbert. All their friends talk of the endless amicable arguments through which both grew. Conrad Noel remembers parties at Warwick Gardens during the Boer War at which the two brothers "would walk up and down like the two pistons of an engine" to the disorganisation of the company and the dismay of their parents. It was at this time that Frances, engaged to a deeply devoted Gilbert, found even that devotion insufficient to pry him and Cecil apart when an argument had got well under way. "I must go home, Gilbert. I shall miss my train." Usually he would have sprung to accompany her, but now she must miss many trains before the brothers could be separated. Frances told me that when they were at the seaside the landlady would sometimes clear away breakfast, leaving the brothers arguing, come to set lunch and later set dinner while still they argued. They had come to the seaside but they never saw the sea. Once Frances was staying with them at a house they had taken by the sea. Her room was next to Cecil's and she could not sleep for the noise of the discussion that went on hour after hour. About one in the morning she rapped on the wall and said, "O Cecil, do send Gilbert to bed." A brief silence followed, and then the remark, in a rather abashed voice, "There's no one here." Cecil had been arguing with himself. Gilbert too argued with himself for the stand he was taking was a hard one. Mr. Belloc has told me that he felt Gilbert suffered at any word against England, that his patriotism was passionate. And now he had himself to say that he believed his country to be in the wrong. To admit it to himself, to state it to others.
--This text refers to the
Kindle Edition
edition.
Gilbert Keith Chesterton (Sheed & Ward Classic)
and over one million other books are available for Amazon Kindle.
Learn more
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Book Description
Editorial Reviews
About the Author
Maisie Ward was the co-founder, with husband Frank Sheed, of Sheed & Ward, one of the most eminent Catholic publishing houses in the world today. In her career as writer, biographer, publisher, and social activist, Ward made a major contribution to 20th century Catholicism.
--This text refers to the
Paperback
edition.
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.
Customer Reviews
|
Share your thoughts with other customers:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The First Chesterton biography you should read.,
By
This review is from: Gilbert Keith Chesterton (A Sheed & Ward Classic) (Paperback)
Any serious work about Gilbert Keith Chesterton (I'm writing my Thesis about him) must start with this incredibly comprehensive biography made by a close friend of the Chesterton family.Access to rare letters between Chesterton and his wife Frances, George Bernard Shaw, quoted passages of his most well-known and beloved books, novels, essays, articles and poems (even personal notes). Interviews with childhood friends, co-workers, friends, rivals. All of this make this over-600-paged book a must-have for anyone that wants an up close and personal account of this incredible human being. From his early childhood, to his parents, his first friends, his first thoughts, his first writings, his first job, his wife, travels, his great books, joys and frustrations both personal and professional, everything up until his last day on this earth when after he died "Gilbert's pen lay on the table beside his bed and Father Vincent picked it up and kissed it." I cannot stress enough the importance of this book. By far, the best biography of Chesterton ever written. If you like Chesterton's books and feel compelled to know more about this man, this should be your first stop.
Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
|
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Suggested Tags from Similar Products(What's this?)Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product).
|
