This song appeared in John Bull in August 1839, the period in which Mary Barton is set. What type of language is being used? Who do you imagine wrote this piece, and to whom it was addressed? Can you imagine John Barton subscribing to the rhetoric used here? Think about the representation of Chartism in this poem as compared to its representation in Mary Barton.
As I read this song, I pictured a group of men in a small town rallied around each other with perhaps, weapons in their hands and fierce looks in their faces. The language used in this song is very rebellious and revolutionary. The song seems to be taking a radical stance. The repetition of the words “Up! Chartists, up!” builds the intensity of the song each time it is said. I picture these words being said in unity from all the men who are listening where as the stanzas might be spoken or sung by the leader of the group.
ReplyDeleteI cannot imagine John Barton subscribing to the rhetoric used here. In my opinion, this song is more violent than something John Barton would condone. This violence can be see in the opening stanza in the phrases “each man shall be arm’d with his daggers and pikes” and “what fun it will be, when the soldiers and gentlemen murdered we see.” And later, there is a strong depiction of violence in the phrase, “We burn, and we murder, and, Lord! how we run!” John Barton is portrayed as a man who wants to fight for change and a better life for his working class peers but he does not want to do it in an aggressive or physical way. He goes away to speak up to the Parliament but when he returns – unsuccessful – he seems to accept his place. (Not to say he is not upset but he believes that if they will not listen to them in a civil way, there is nothing left to do). Also, John loves the poem by Samuel Bamford that Job reads on page 108-109 that demands a change but not through physical violence. It would be hard to picture John Barton standing with a dagger and pike shouting out the words from this song.
The language is of the common people, including the accents. I would imagine a revolutionary writing this piece, most likely a young commoner attempting to make a political career for himself. While the tone rejoices in the turmoil, I would have to disagree by saying that I could see John Barton subscribing to this sort of rhetoric. While yes, it does say to pick up arms, I interpreted that instruction as rather meaning for the common people and laborers to arm themselves with their only arms available: their spirit and pride. While working for the 'gentlemen' referred to later in the song, the peoples' spirits were sadly mangled, and I heard this song as a call to arms, for the people to re-arm themselves with their own humanity. It would be, quite literally, the only thing the upper classes could not take from them without their consent.
ReplyDeleteNeither would I picture John Barton with a dagger/pike & screaming the song, but I do believe he would support the message. I believe the song is also a reference to the French Revolution, and while the French were still unmentionable in Britain, their example seems to have carried over into this Chartist anthem. I saw it as merely a cry for freedom, which I would predict John Barton supporting completely.
The language in this song is overwhelmingly violent and aggressive. I would imagine that whoever wrote this penned it with dual purposes in mind: to solidify the unity of the Chartists by giving them a rally cry and to impart fear and intimidation into the hearts and minds of the middle class. The success of the latter is dependent upon the former; without an established means of organizing, the Chartists will surely fail in their efforts towards recognition and fairness.
ReplyDeleteWhile John Barton clearly has revolutionary thoughts and goals, I could never see him espousing or advocating this type of violence. There is a distinct gap between thought and action, and I don’t think John (at this point in the novel, at least) would resort to such gruesome behavior. Instead, he becomes resigned to his poor fate and turns to opium as a means of escape and comfort. Utterly dejected, he now searches for ways to cope with his seemingly permanent condition.
Much of this song is unsettling, but what disturbs me the most is the racism inherent in its chants. The author writes about “brother niggers” with their “black-waving hands” singing an unintelligible refrain – “quashee-ma-boo.” This type of language undermines the Chartists’ purpose, I believe, for they demand dignity and equality from the middle class, yet they deny members of a different race the same courtesy. I understand that race relations were far from smooth (that’s probably a colossal understatement) at this point in history, but I still think that this type of characterization is counter to their political project as a whole.