An Incorrigible Fanatic
William Wilberforce told Parliament that the more his opponents slandered him, the more he was sure he was winning.
1816
William Wilberforce told Parliament that the more his opponents slandered him, the more he was sure he was winning.
1816
William Wilberforce, Britain’s leading anti-slavery campaigner, was accused of ‘fanaticism’ for his refusal to accept the prevailing customs of the day. But as he warned Parliament, such jibes only made him more determined to fight on.
As reported in Hansard, abridged
THIS work of humanity [said Mr Wilberforce] would at last make its way into the heads and hearts, the understandings and the feelings, of the whole mass of the nation, and would triumph over all opposition. The opposition that had been already overcome afforded him a complete pledge of final success, and rendered him regardless of those things that were uttered and published against him.
He had been charged with methodism and fanaticism.* If to profess humanity to our fellow creatures, and to endeavour with zeal to carry into execution whatever measures lay in his power for promoting their welfare, were the definition of fanaticism, he was afraid that he was a most incorrigible fanatic.
He expected the accomplishment of his object through the fanaticism of the people of England. He trusted to the religion of the people of England, to their humane and Christian feelings, for support in his endeavours; and through their support, for final success in a cause which involved both humanity and religion.
As reported in Hansard, abridged
‘Methodist’ was an opprobrious term for members of the Church of England who during the 18th century adopted regular hours of prayer, visited the sick and prisoners, and otherwise tried to put the principles of Apostolic life into practice. The most famous methodists, brothers John and Charles Wesley, like Wilberforce himself, never abandoned the Church of England, though a breakaway Methodist Church did subsequently come into existence.
1. What is the author aiming to achieve in writing this?
2. Note any words, devices or turns of phrase that strike you. How do they help the author communicate his ideas more effectively?
3. What impression does this passage make on you? How might you put that impression into words?
Based on The English Critic (1939) by NL Clay, drawing on The New Criticism: A Lecture Delivered at Columbia University, March 9, 1910, by J. E. Spingarn, Professor of Comparative Literature in Columbia University, USA.
Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.
Why was Wilberforce called a ‘fanatic’?
For his refusal to compromise on slavery.
Express the ideas below in a single sentence, using different words as much as possible. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.
Wilberforce campaigned against slavery. Some people were extremely critical of him. He took no notice.