Thomas Carlyle and The French Revolution

Thomas Carlyle

• British essayist, philosopher, and historian
• Considered one of the most important social critics of his era
• Leading moral force in Victorian literature
• Known for his writing style, "Carlylese," which greatly influenced Victorian and postmodern literature
• Born in 1795 in England and attended Edinburgh University at age 14
• After leaving Edinburgh, he briefly taught school but ultimately found the profession unsuitable
• Settled in London and befriended English philosopher John Stuart Mill

The French Revolution

• Carlyle began writing a book on the French Revolution inspired by Mill
• He completed the first volume after five months of painstaking efforts and left it with Mill for criticism
• The manuscript was accidentally burned by a maid while lighting a fire
• Despite this setback, "The French Revolution" was finally published in 1837

Notable Works

• The French Revolution (1837)
• On Heroes, Hero-Worship, and the Heroic in History (1841)
• Life and Letters of Oliver Cromwell (1845)
• Frederick the Great (1858 – 65)

Carlyle's Theory of Great Men

• Carlyle's theory emphasizes the role of "great men" in history
• According to Carlyle, true "great men" make contributions for the benefit of society
• Individuals like Mahmood Ghazni, Chen gez Khan, Nadir Shah, and Hitler are not considered "great" as their conquests were not for the benefit of society
• Aristotle, Shakespeare, Newton, Ashoka, and Mahatma Gandhi are examples of "great men" due to their societal contributions
• Carlyle's theory is criticized for promoting individualism and ignoring collectivism
• It also favors upper-class individuals, minimizing the importance of common men
• Carlyle's concept of "great men" are not representative of their times and often exist outside general society
• They are revolutionary individuals who may be great in their field but do not represent the overall development or genius of humanity
• E.H Carr argues that "great men" are either representative of existing forces or challenge authority, creating new forces.

Thomas Carlyle's Life and Works

• Early Life: Born in 1795 in England, Carlyle attended Edinburgh University at age 14, studying various subjects. He later worked as a teacher but abandoned the profession.

• Literary Career: Carlyle was a prominent British essayist, philosopher, and historian. He was considered a leading social critic of his time and a significant force in Victorian literature.

• Unique Writing Style: His distinctive style, known as "Carlylese," greatly influenced Victorian and postmodern literature.

• London Years and Inspiration: Following his early career, Carlyle settled in London, where he met the English philosopher John Stuart Mill. Mill's influence inspired Carlyle to write a book about the French Revolution.

• The French Revolution Manuscript: He completed the first volume after five months of intense work and entrusted it to Mill for criticism. Unfortunately, a maid accidentally burned the manuscript while lighting a fire.

• Major Works:

  • The French Revolution (1837)
  • On Heroes, Hero-Worship, and the Heroic in History (1841)
  • Life and Letters of Oliver Cromwell (1845)
  • Frederick the Great (1858-65)

Carlyle's Theory of Great Men

• Defining Greatness: Carlyle's work explores the concept of "great men" and their impact on history.

• Criteria for Greatness: He believed that true greatness is measured by the positive contribution a person makes to society.

• Examples of Great Men: Individuals like Aristotle, Shakespeare, Newton, Ashoka, and Mahatma Gandhi are considered "great" because their accomplishments benefited society.

• Exceptions: Carlyle excluded figures like Mahmood Ghazni, Genghis Khan, Nadir Shah, and Hitler from the category of "great" due to their destructive conquests.

Critique of Carlyle's Theory

• Conflict with Democracy: Carlyle's theory is criticized for contradicting the concept of democracy by emphasizing individualism over collectivism.

• Social Class Bias: His focus on "great men" is seen as favoring the upper class and neglecting the contributions of ordinary people.

• Lack of Historical Context: Carlyle's theory is found to be lacking in understanding the role of historical context and the influence of social forces in shaping individuals.

• E.H. Carr's Perspective: The historian E.H. Carr argues that "great men" are either products of their time or catalysts of change through their defiance of authority.

This quiz explores the life and works of Thomas Carlyle, a significant figure in Victorian literature and social criticism. It focuses on his influential writings, particularly 'The French Revolution,' and his relationship with other intellectuals of his time. Test your knowledge of Carlyle's contributions and his unique writing style.