These first few weeks of reading Chesterton went fast. I only read four books in January, so there are over ninety to go... Definitely a task on which I can spend a full year. If anything, though, I have become more motivated: Chesterton's writing is fascinating.
Of the four books I read this month, I enjoyed 'The Defendant' most. The loose essays, on various topics, rally introduced me to Chesterton's way of thinking, in a way the novel, stories or poetry could not do. In a sense, the literary books were too limited: they simply have a different objective. They have one theme, beautifully worded and illustrated, but not as rich as the defences.
The next books that are on my reading list are also from Chesterton's relatively early works: 'Twelve types', 'Dickens', 'The man who was Thursday', and 'Heretics'.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Sunday, January 30, 2011
George Frederic Watts, artist
When I visit an art museum, I'll admit that the highlights are the old German painters (Holbein, Cranach, Durer), the Dutch and Flemish masters (Rembrandt, Hals, etc), and then the impressionists (including Van Gogh). I tend to skip nineteenth century art, as being too sentimental, as being not yet impressionistic. The pre raphaelites, I concur, have a certain charm, but still they cannot fascinate me.
Much to my surprise, the artist that Chesterton chose to write a book about is from the nineteenth century, Victorian, sentimentalist, pre raphaelite-like. On the internet, one can find numerous paintings by Watts. At first glance, I admire some of his portraits, but I have a difficulty with his other paintings. Chesterton, though, makes me want to appreciate this nineteenth-century artist. He starts his discussion of Watts with three points wherein Watts belongs to the nineteenth century; I was particularly struck with the second one:
Much to my surprise, the artist that Chesterton chose to write a book about is from the nineteenth century, Victorian, sentimentalist, pre raphaelite-like. On the internet, one can find numerous paintings by Watts. At first glance, I admire some of his portraits, but I have a difficulty with his other paintings. Chesterton, though, makes me want to appreciate this nineteenth-century artist. He starts his discussion of Watts with three points wherein Watts belongs to the nineteenth century; I was particularly struck with the second one:
He [Watts] has the one great certainty which marks off all the great Victorians from those who have come after them: he may not be certain that he is successful, or certain that he is great, or certain that he is good, or certain that he is capable: but he is certain that he is right. It is of course the very element of confidence which has in our day become least common and least possible. We know we are brilliant and distinguished, but we do not know we are right. We swagger in fantastic artistic costumes; we praise ourselves; we fling epigrams right and left; we have the courage to play the egoist and the courage to play the fool, but we have not the courage to preach.Chesterton wrote this over a hundred years ago. It makes one think.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
The Napoleon of Notting Hill
Chesterton's first novel, an utopia, or dystopia, starting eighty years in the future (so in 1984). Democracy has disappeared in England; a randomly chosen king is the head of government. The novel starts with the choosing of king Auberon: a humorist, or satirist, or artist. He imposes 'The charter of the cities', and herein obliges each township in London to have its own coat of arms, etc. He enjoys seeing the town leaders in robes, with halberdiers and banners in their corresponding colors and arms.
The provosts of the townships obey the king's laws, but not enthusiastically. They are men of common sense; they do not like the king's joke. There is, however, one exception: provost Adam Wayne of Notting Hill is a fanatic, who takes the 'Charter of the cities' seriously and defends Notting Hill against the other provosts' schemes to build a road through Pump Street.
The king is surprised that there is someone who takes his joke seriously; he does not act to prevent the clash that develops between Notting Hill and the surrounding cities. A series of battles between the townships follows.
Reading this novel I remembered Einstein's famous thought experiment, about traveling with the speed of light, which subsequently led to his special theory of relativity. Chesterton, too, imagines a setting, with the different townships, and one true believer. The subsequent developments are fascinating, and somewhat insane.
The provosts of the townships obey the king's laws, but not enthusiastically. They are men of common sense; they do not like the king's joke. There is, however, one exception: provost Adam Wayne of Notting Hill is a fanatic, who takes the 'Charter of the cities' seriously and defends Notting Hill against the other provosts' schemes to build a road through Pump Street.
The king is surprised that there is someone who takes his joke seriously; he does not act to prevent the clash that develops between Notting Hill and the surrounding cities. A series of battles between the townships follows.
Reading this novel I remembered Einstein's famous thought experiment, about traveling with the speed of light, which subsequently led to his special theory of relativity. Chesterton, too, imagines a setting, with the different townships, and one true believer. The subsequent developments are fascinating, and somewhat insane.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
London
I have once visited London, about seven years ago. I was there only for a few days, so I visited some main attractions. Reading Chesterton's novel 'The Napoleon of Notting Hill', I really want to go back, to stroll through the different parts of town and sense the differences in atmosphere.
Of course, I realize that London probably changed much since Chesterton walked around there. I reckon those lanterns that are so beautifully described, and that play such a vital role in the defence of Notting Hill, do not run on gas anymore. Still, I would love to revisit London and see it again, as I see it now through Chesterton's eyes.
Of course, I realize that London probably changed much since Chesterton walked around there. I reckon those lanterns that are so beautifully described, and that play such a vital role in the defence of Notting Hill, do not run on gas anymore. Still, I would love to revisit London and see it again, as I see it now through Chesterton's eyes.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Chesterton's popularity
I am still not certain how well known Chesterton is in this modern time. On the one hand, he is not infrequently quoted (he is of course a very 'quotable' writer). On the other hand, the local library does not have many of his books and quite some of my acquaintances never heard of him.
I have to admit that I myself barely heard of Chesterton till this fall. Then several things occurred at once (my pastor mentioning Chesterton's books, my realization of Chesterton's influence on C.S. Lewis, and the listing of 'Orthodoxy' on ccel.org's list of Christian classics), and I started reading.
I have to admit that I myself barely heard of Chesterton till this fall. Then several things occurred at once (my pastor mentioning Chesterton's books, my realization of Chesterton's influence on C.S. Lewis, and the listing of 'Orthodoxy' on ccel.org's list of Christian classics), and I started reading.
Monday, January 24, 2011
The art of prophecy
Predicting the future is hard; many prophets have been proven wrong over the years. Chesterton makes some fun about modern prophets in the introduction to his novel 'The Napoleon of Notting Hill'. Instead of all sorts of possible changes, such as that 'science would take charge of the future', or 'we should in a very short term return to Nature', or all other sorts of contradictory predictions, Chesterton introduces a London that is, eighty years from his writing, 'almost exactly like what it is now'.
As we live a hundred years from Chesterton's London, it is rather difficult to envision his experience of the City. It does appear, though, that there are quite some interesting developments in his imaginary London. Chesterton imagines a place where people do no longer believe in revolutions, nor in democracy. Life seems to be quite dull, with people always doing what they did before. It is as if no-one has dreams anymore, about a world as it could be. All in all, it is a quite depressing description of a state of affairs.
One wonders, in how far is Chesterton's vision of the future better than that of other 'prophets'? He too, like some of the writers he criticizes, mainly extrapolates what he sees happening in his time. A difference is that Chesterton does not care too much about technology or global politics, but he does care about the dreams and beliefs of people. And then one wonders if he does not have a point: do we still really believe in the possibility of progress and care about those beliefs, or have we become complacent?
As we live a hundred years from Chesterton's London, it is rather difficult to envision his experience of the City. It does appear, though, that there are quite some interesting developments in his imaginary London. Chesterton imagines a place where people do no longer believe in revolutions, nor in democracy. Life seems to be quite dull, with people always doing what they did before. It is as if no-one has dreams anymore, about a world as it could be. All in all, it is a quite depressing description of a state of affairs.
One wonders, in how far is Chesterton's vision of the future better than that of other 'prophets'? He too, like some of the writers he criticizes, mainly extrapolates what he sees happening in his time. A difference is that Chesterton does not care too much about technology or global politics, but he does care about the dreams and beliefs of people. And then one wonders if he does not have a point: do we still really believe in the possibility of progress and care about those beliefs, or have we become complacent?
Saturday, January 22, 2011
The defendant
Chesterton wrote sixteen 'defences', which appeared in 'The Speaker' and were later reprinted in 'The defendant'. These defences are written with an optimistic viewpoint: as Chesterton says 'it requires some cheerfulness to continue in revolt'. Some things are called 'bad' because they are 'not good enough'; Chesterton chooses to write in defence of skeletons, of planets, of heraldry, of farce, etc.
Usually, once one examines these normally slighted subjects, one finds that nothing is as simple as it looks. For example: patriotism is more than love of 'my country, right or wrong': someone who really loves his country cannot be indifferent about its wrongs. This last form of patriotism seems to be disappearing, leaving 'a deaf and raucous jingoism'. One key to achieve this is education.
One of Chesterton's pet topics is a defence of what one could call 'low culture': penny dreadfuls, useful information, farce, slang and detective stories. He argues that there can be real merit in simple forms of art: simple straightforward morality in penny dreadfuls, a satisfaction of honest curiosity in useful information, a sense of real poetical imagery in slang and in detective stories.
Usually, once one examines these normally slighted subjects, one finds that nothing is as simple as it looks. For example: patriotism is more than love of 'my country, right or wrong': someone who really loves his country cannot be indifferent about its wrongs. This last form of patriotism seems to be disappearing, leaving 'a deaf and raucous jingoism'. One key to achieve this is education.
One of Chesterton's pet topics is a defence of what one could call 'low culture': penny dreadfuls, useful information, farce, slang and detective stories. He argues that there can be real merit in simple forms of art: simple straightforward morality in penny dreadfuls, a satisfaction of honest curiosity in useful information, a sense of real poetical imagery in slang and in detective stories.
Friday, January 21, 2011
(Dis)agreements
I find it easy to agree with some of Chesterton's defences, e.g. 'A defence of ugly things'. Here, the argument revolves around the limitations of the Greek idea about beauty. An artist like Rembrandt, on the contrary, clearly depicts the characteristics of his subjects, whether they correspond with the conventional ideas of beauty or not. The result is a celebration of individuality which I strongly appreciate.
Other defences of Chesterton, e.g. 'A defence of China shepherdesses', are completely contrary to my inclinations. I consider China shepherdesses one of the most ugly things I know of. Chesterton, though, argues that with the Arcadian ideal that we lost, in all its sentimentality, we also lost something of the joy of simple and innocent occupations. Still, though I understand Chesterton's reasoning, I am not certain that I will be able look at these China shepherdesses with any degree of appreciation. It remains to be seen, though, for better understanding of art usually lead to more enjoyment (at least for me). Furthermore, I realize that I have more to learn from the arguments that I do not instinctively agree with, than from those with conclusions I agree with beforehand.
Other defences of Chesterton, e.g. 'A defence of China shepherdesses', are completely contrary to my inclinations. I consider China shepherdesses one of the most ugly things I know of. Chesterton, though, argues that with the Arcadian ideal that we lost, in all its sentimentality, we also lost something of the joy of simple and innocent occupations. Still, though I understand Chesterton's reasoning, I am not certain that I will be able look at these China shepherdesses with any degree of appreciation. It remains to be seen, though, for better understanding of art usually lead to more enjoyment (at least for me). Furthermore, I realize that I have more to learn from the arguments that I do not instinctively agree with, than from those with conclusions I agree with beforehand.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Chesterton.org
Reading up on Chesterton on the internet has introduced me to various sites, the most prominent of which is www.chesterton.org: the official site of the American Chesterton Society. I was surprised such a society even existed, but they seem to be quite active. Except a website full of information and facebookpage, they also have a yearly conference and a magazine (the Gilbert Magazine).
All in all I have to conclude that I am not the only one with an interest in Chesterton.
All in all I have to conclude that I am not the only one with an interest in Chesterton.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Wonder
In 'A defence of useful information', Chesterton first describes how he cannot appreciate the collections of information that are apparently enjoyed by the 'common man'. I can empathize with him when I think about Plinius' 'Naturalis Historia' or Isidore's 'Etimologiae': lists of odd facts have certainly a limited appeal to me. Chesterton, however, after recognizing that is is 'shapeless' and 'trivial', argues that this curiosity about facts is actually 'the babyish and indiscriminate curiosity of a people still young'. In 'A defence of planets', he laments that there is no poetry written about the new scientific worldview. Somehow, we have become aloof, or even snobbish, about the world around us, and this is actually a very sad thing.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Defences
'The defendant' consists of sixteen defences of quite common things; as Chesterton mentions in his introduction 'it has appeared to me unfair that humanity should be engaged perpetually in calling all those things bad which have been good enough to make other things better'. So he took action, and he has 'investigated the dust-heaps of humanity, and found a treasure in them'.
The first essay is a defence of 'penny dreadfuls' (cheap sensational books), from the attacks of literary criticism. It may be true that this vulgar fiction is not up to artistic standards, but the stories are simply human. Furthermore, these sentimental stories do have simple, truistic morality: 'courage is splendid, fidelity is noble, distressed ladies should be rescued and vanquished enemies spared'; high literary or philosophical works, on the contrary, sometimes recommend 'profligacy and pessimism'.
In another defence, Chesterton turns our head around when he describes how some words are 'used as insults when they are really compliments'. A play, for instance, should be 'theatrical', and public statues is not bad because it is 'pompous'. 'If a public monument does not meet this first supreme and obvious need, that it should be public and monumental, it fails from the outset'.
The first essay is a defence of 'penny dreadfuls' (cheap sensational books), from the attacks of literary criticism. It may be true that this vulgar fiction is not up to artistic standards, but the stories are simply human. Furthermore, these sentimental stories do have simple, truistic morality: 'courage is splendid, fidelity is noble, distressed ladies should be rescued and vanquished enemies spared'; high literary or philosophical works, on the contrary, sometimes recommend 'profligacy and pessimism'.
In another defence, Chesterton turns our head around when he describes how some words are 'used as insults when they are really compliments'. A play, for instance, should be 'theatrical', and public statues is not bad because it is 'pompous'. 'If a public monument does not meet this first supreme and obvious need, that it should be public and monumental, it fails from the outset'.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Poetry
Chesterton's first two books are words of poetry. This morning, I read the first (slim) one: 'Greybeards at play'. It consists of five poems: a dedication, three poems, and an envoy. Apparently, the illustrations are made by Chesterton himself.
At first, I found it curious that this first work, published when Chesterton was about 26 years old, is about 'greybeards'. The poems, however, are about a sense of wonder about the world, which children still have, grown-ups have lost in the complexity of life, and old people (maybe) can return to. In the envoy, when a child is reluctant to leave this wonderful world of childhood behind, the 'greybeard' says: "Go on, the world is round.".
At first, I found it curious that this first work, published when Chesterton was about 26 years old, is about 'greybeards'. The poems, however, are about a sense of wonder about the world, which children still have, grown-ups have lost in the complexity of life, and old people (maybe) can return to. In the envoy, when a child is reluctant to leave this wonderful world of childhood behind, the 'greybeard' says: "Go on, the world is round.".
Thursday, January 13, 2011
The Innocence of Father Brown
Today, I finished the first bundle of 'Father Brown' stories. Overall, I really enjoyed them, especially 'The Blue Cross' and 'The Invisible man'. These stories are more than detectives, sometimes they offer us some interesting comments on man and society.
Our every-day perceptions are often 'of', as is shown in 'The Queer Feet' and in 'The Invisible Man': we make too many assumptions about the world around us. Also, not all man are what they seem to be (examples are Aristide Valentin, General Sir Arthur St. Clare, and Sir Aaron Armstrong).
In some stories, I could follow Father Brown's explanations easily, but sometimes I had trouble with the details (the large brown bag in 'The Invisible Man', for example).
Overall, I really look forward to the following bundles with more of Father Brown's illuminating insights.
Our every-day perceptions are often 'of', as is shown in 'The Queer Feet' and in 'The Invisible Man': we make too many assumptions about the world around us. Also, not all man are what they seem to be (examples are Aristide Valentin, General Sir Arthur St. Clare, and Sir Aaron Armstrong).
In some stories, I could follow Father Brown's explanations easily, but sometimes I had trouble with the details (the large brown bag in 'The Invisible Man', for example).
Overall, I really look forward to the following bundles with more of Father Brown's illuminating insights.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Catholicism
As a protestant, I know I have to come to grips with Chesterton's catholicism one day. At this moment, I do not have a clear view of Chesterton's motivation to join the Catholic Church. Since I try to read mainly chronological, I expect to gradually encounter Chesterton's thoughts on the matter.
Today, reading a 'Father Brown' story ('The sign of the broken sword'), I was unsettled to read Father Brown's comment on reading the Bible: "When will people understand that it is useless for a man to read his Bible unless he also reads everybody else's Bible? A printer reads a Bible for misprints. A Mormon reads his Bible and finds polygamy". He talks about a person "soaking himself without sense or guidance in an Oriental book."; this is followed by a list of things this person actually did wrong (adultery, torture, greed, treason), suggesting that these behaviors follow from his taking the Old Testament too literally.
I had not expected to encounter such a dim view of reading the Bible on one's own; I can only conclude that I have quite some studying to do before understanding Chesterton's thoughts better.
Today, reading a 'Father Brown' story ('The sign of the broken sword'), I was unsettled to read Father Brown's comment on reading the Bible: "When will people understand that it is useless for a man to read his Bible unless he also reads everybody else's Bible? A printer reads a Bible for misprints. A Mormon reads his Bible and finds polygamy". He talks about a person "soaking himself without sense or guidance in an Oriental book."; this is followed by a list of things this person actually did wrong (adultery, torture, greed, treason), suggesting that these behaviors follow from his taking the Old Testament too literally.
I had not expected to encounter such a dim view of reading the Bible on one's own; I can only conclude that I have quite some studying to do before understanding Chesterton's thoughts better.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Available books
In my ambitious scheme to read a significant portion of Chesterton's works this year, I realized I need to find out what portion of his writings is in fact available to me. Personally, I own two bundles of 'Father Brown' stories. The local public library has eight volumes and some dvd's and audio books, among which these 'Father Brown' stories. The local university library has over a hundred books, many of which overlap each other.
As of the moment, my best source may still be the internet. To my surprise, a great many works of Chesterton are online available, see for example this site.
As of the moment, my best source may still be the internet. To my surprise, a great many works of Chesterton are online available, see for example this site.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Father Brown
I have never been good in guessing 'who's done it' in detective stories, whether they be books, series or movies. In the 'Father Brown' stories, my difficulties have multiplied. Perhaps it is because these stories do not have a standard set-up, but I frequently am at a loss as to regard the solution of the mystery.
Father Brown has a great intuition and imagination. Take for example 'The honour of Israel Gow', from 'The innocence of Father Brown'. In this story, a police detective sums up the various items that he found in the castle, concluding: 'By no stretch of fancy can the human mind connect together snuff and diamonds and wax and loose clockwork.'. Father Brown immediately gives him three different explanation, none of which he believes to be the true one. The final solution is yet another stretch of imagination.
Yesterday, for the first time, I read a story in which I was thinking in the right direction (it was 'The sins of Prince Saladine'). So there may be hope for me yet.
Father Brown has a great intuition and imagination. Take for example 'The honour of Israel Gow', from 'The innocence of Father Brown'. In this story, a police detective sums up the various items that he found in the castle, concluding: 'By no stretch of fancy can the human mind connect together snuff and diamonds and wax and loose clockwork.'. Father Brown immediately gives him three different explanation, none of which he believes to be the true one. The final solution is yet another stretch of imagination.
Yesterday, for the first time, I read a story in which I was thinking in the right direction (it was 'The sins of Prince Saladine'). So there may be hope for me yet.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
New Year's objective
Last fall, I stumbled across G.K. Chesterton's 'Orthodoxy'. Though I did not have the feeling that I quite understood everything in the book, I was quite fascinated by Chesterton's thoughts and style. I subsequently read some 'Father Brown' stories, and today I finished 'The everlasting man'.
A short online exploration showed me that Chesterton wrote extensively, on various subjects and in various styles. I made a late New Year's resolution to make a study of Chesterton's writings, and I'll report my findings here.
A short online exploration showed me that Chesterton wrote extensively, on various subjects and in various styles. I made a late New Year's resolution to make a study of Chesterton's writings, and I'll report my findings here.
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