French Revolution: Its Influence on English Literature

 

INFLUENCE OF

FRENCH REVOLUTION

ON ENGLISH LITERATURE

INTRODUCTION:

The French Revolution started in Europe in 1789, and it took whole Europe by storm. It began with the fault of the prison of Bastile on 14th July, 1789. It affected not only the political and social life of France, but it had profound and far-reaching influence in shaping the destiny of the whole Europe. The French Revolution was not a local affair, but it spread a thrill of fresh life through the whole continent.

French Revolution was basically a political movement against the feudal system of France. It brought a drastic change in the Europe society. In France, there were three classes. (1) Nobles (2) Upper Clergy (3) Poor Tenants.

The nobles did not pay taxes and exploited the poor. So, there was a reaction and rebellion against them which was later on known as French Revolution. The poor and the exploited people started revolting against the age old social system. The farmers who suffered and starved now came out of the field and rang the bell of warning in the kingdoms. As a result, there was a great upheaval in the social and political life of all countries of Europe. The same spirit of freedom from bondages has been reflected in English poetry. This rebirth of new spirit is nicely summarized by Wordsworth:

"But Europe, at that time was thrilled with joy. France standing on the top of the golden hours, and human nature seeming born again."

CONTRIBUTION OF THINKERS IN FRENCH REVOLUTION:

In those times, the governments were quite insensible and inhuman. People were imprisoned without any trials. So, protest started against the government. The revolt was leaded by some major thinkers like Jean-Jacques, Rousslay, Montesquieu, Volturie etc. They started writing about the oppression and injustice. They talked about the Divine Right of the king. Rousslay declared in his essay 'The Social Contract:

"Man is born free, but everywhere he is in chains."

These thinkers believed that the king should be responsible for the welfare of the people. The king is the servant of people and if he fails in his duty, he should be dismissed.

RISE OF DEMOCRACY:

When French Revolution started in July 1789, the whole atmosphere was confused and terrifying. There was anarchy all around. Rebels destroyed the palaces and prisons. The guards of the king were killed. The king himself was punished to death in 1793. The atmosphere was quite violent. The death of the king gave birth to a new era of democracy.

"The sun, the moon, the stars, the sky, nature, man and human nature itself assumed new aspect, as the bell of liberty, fraternity and equality tolled in France (Paris)".

DOCTRINES OF FRENCH REVOLUTION:

The French Revolution brought new spirit of freedom in Europe. Following were the chief doctrines of French Revolution

 1. Human beings are equal. Man is born free, but he is in bondages. Freedom is man's first right.

2. Equality of human beings is natural. All are equal. Rousslay believed that nobody should be rich enough to buy another, and nobody should be poor enough to sell himself.

3. Rousslay gave importance to sensitivity and feelings. He said "I feel, therefore I am."

4. Everyone has individual identity and this identity should be respected.

5. Fraternity (Brotherhood) is a must among human beings.

INFLUENCE ON ENGLISH LITERATURE:

The French Revolution had great impact on the literature of England and other European countries. So many poets like Wordsworth, Coleridge Shelley etc. were influenced in the books like 'The Right of Man' and 'The Age of Reason'. Here, they expressed the natural rights of human beings. In the book 'Political Injustice', Godwin has emphasized on the reformation of society and he has talked about justice, equality and brotherhood. Moreover, the romantic poetry and later on Victorian novels were deeply influenced by the new ideas of equality and justice. Thus, the French Revolution had a great impact on English Literature.

INFLUENCE OF FRENCH REVOLUTION ON WRITERS:

1. Wordsworth: The Romantic poet Wordsworth welcomed French Revolution and accepted it with enthusiasm. In his poem 'Prelude' he praised the revolution:

"Bliss was it in that dawn to be alive, But to be young was very haven."

2. S. T. Coleridge: Coleridge had great respect for the ideals of French Revolution like equality, freedom, fraternity etc. He considered these ideals noble and relevant. He felt very happy when the king was killed the prisons were broken. He was delighted to see the prisoners out of the jails to see the sunshine of new hope.

3. Robert Southey: He was also influenced by the revolutionary thought and expressed the most violent ideas in his epic 'Joan of Arc' and in his drama 'Wat Tyler'. In his number of minor poems also, we find his radical and spirited love for the revolution.

4. Lord Byron: He was the lover of freedom. So he joined the Italian freedom fighters in the war. He wrote great poems 'Don Juan' and 'Childe Harold' in which he expressed his ideas of equality freedom and brotherhood. Through his poems, he spread these ideas across Europe and thus joined the revolution.

5. P. B. Shelley: Shelley was a revolutionary idealist who had great sympathy for the poor people. In his poems and dramas 'The Revolt of Islam', 'Prometheus Unbound', 'Ode to the West Wind' and 'Men of England' he spread the message of equality and revolt against oppressors.

Thus, the French Revolution influenced Wordsworth and Coleridge on the sentimental side, Shelley on the intellectual side and Byron on the political side. It had no viable influence on Keats. His poetry remains unaffected by the revolution.

CONCLUSION:

Thus, French Revolution was a world event, rather than a domestic event of France. It shaped the destiny and future of many nations and it changed the thinking philosophy and social life of the people. It has great influence on English literature particularly on the literature of romantic revival. The feelings of freedom, equality, brotherhood, justice etc. were prevalent in the poetry of Shelley, Coleridge, Wordsworth, Byron and so on. Thus, French Revolution heralded a new era in English literature.

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