Thomas Carlyle 1795-1881

I really enjoyed reading Thomas Carlyle work, especially "Know Thy Work" from Labor. The reason I enjoyed it was due to the deep connection that I had while I was reading his work. He had learned from an early age the value of hard work because of his devout, strict and self-disciplined parents. However, in this blog I will concentrate on two of Thomas Carlyle's writings, "Know Your Work" to emphasized the importance of "Work" and "The Irish Widow" from Gospel of Mammonism.

The author starts off his writing of "Know Thy Work" with these words, "For there is a perennial nobleness, and even sacredness, in Work. Were he never so benighted, forgetful of his calling, there is always hope in a man that actually and earnestly works: in Idleness alone is there perpetual despair" (page 481), to bring across the benefits and rewards of work. Using works such as "perennial nobleness" and "sacredness" to convey to his readers the positive attributes of work as compared to the negative aspects of idleness in such words as "alone" and "perpetual despair". The idea of work as a precious necessity, a must is presented several times and in much detail throughout his writings. He writes, "....the real desire to get Work done will itself lead one more and more to truth, to Nature's appointments and regulations, which are truth," (page 481) to convey his point that work is necessary, because it requires action and will force that person to seek truth and structure in life. The author found significant value in labor, because labor offers purpose and regulation to a person as stated in his words "and endless significance lies in Work; a man perfects himself by working"(page 481). Also, in these words the author's argument for work's value to a person was based on the idea that work offers a purpose to one's life that defines them as an individual.

"Blessed is he who has found his work; let him ask no other blessedness. He has a work, a life-purpose; he found it, and will follow it" (page 482). Here the author represents his thought of work's benefit to a person, because it offers a definition and meaning for an individuals existence, for which there is no greater value. The word "Blessed" is used to convey a sense of happiness. This reminds me of the Beatitudes in the bible when Jesus called those that have obeyed the will of God "Blessed". Also, when a person does what he or she really loves and is good at it, that person will put all their energy in their work, thus making them happy.

Another writing of Thomas Carlyle that was of interest to me was, "The Irish Widow" from Gospel of Mammonism. While reading this passage I felt such sympathy and to an extent anger at the way this widow was treated by the "Powers that be or the Government Institutions" that were established to protect and help these people. Here, the author said:-

"A poor Irish Widow, her husband having died in one of the Lanes of Edinburgh, went forth with her three children, bare of all resource, to solicit help from Charitable Establishments of that City. At this Charitable Establishment and then at that she was refused; referred from one to the other, helped by none" (page 480)

In the above passage, the author spoke of the social ills the lower class of society were experiencing. In our own experiences, several times we are referred to different organizations when dealing with institutions that are "suppose" to help. This passage is in contrast to "Know Thy Work" because here was a widow enable to work due to the death of her husband and furthermore she had three children, was refused help from these institutions until having exhausted them all, died. What had happened to the children after her death? It was not told but I am assuming they also died because the widow death was due to typus-fever. A very contagous disease. In her desperate cry for help, the Irish widow states that, "Behold I am sinking, bare of help: ye must help me! I am your sister, bone of your bone; one God made us: ye must help me" (page 481). However, once again she was denied the help as stated in these words, "They answered, No impossible; thou art no sister of ours" (page 481). She had to prove by death that she was their sister, "But she proves her sisterhood; her typhus-fever kills them: they actually were her brothers, though denying it! Had human creature ever to go lower for a proof" (page 481), and not only her death was used as prove but seventeen others persons died as a result of the fever. Many will say that this incidence had happened several hundred years ago and this would never happen in today's society. How many times is the poor refused medical attention because of the lack of financial resources?

I must admit that these were two of Thomas Carlyle best work which I really liked because I totally agree with his thoughts on "Know Thy work' and I could draw from our present society what he spoke about in "The Irish Widow."