Kerry’s Weblog Sept.12th
“2dly. If the same royal prerogative was exerted for the punishment
of women convicts, it would indisputably produce very happy effects.
It is to the low and abandoned women that hundreds of young fellows
owe their destruction. They rob, they plunder, to support these
wretches. Let it not seem cruel that we make one remark, of which we
are convinced experience would justify the propriety. The execution
of ten women would do more public service than that of an hundred
men; for, exclusive of the force of example, it would perhaps tend
to the preservation of more than an hundred.”
http://www.exclassics.com/newgate/newgate1.txt
I find this portion of scripture taken from Part I of the Newgate Calendar
to be disturbing and almost sarcastic. Upon reading this paragraph, I was
taken back for a moment to "A Modest Proposal" by Swift. I find that this clipping has
an almost comedic tone to it. This statement gives the reader a clear insight as to how
women were treated, as it is clearly to women that men "owe their destruction".
I can see why Swift would make fun of this society:
“Some, who might have
come miles to see ‘the drop’, were determined to have a good time – almost
as though it was a holiday or they had gone to a carnival – and it was
Saint Monday, a long weekend, after all! There were eight of these hanging
days a year and they were considered to be the biggest tourist attraction
of the day! “
http://www.oldbaileyonline.org/schools/journey.html
Society celebrates hanging criminals just as they would Christmas or Easter. Satyric
literature in England during this time entertains me the most because they poke fun at all
the odd quirks of the wealthy citizens and socialites. If anyone has not read
"A Modest Proposal" I would highly recommend it, especially if you want to get a hilarious
critique of society in the 18th century.
September 13, 2007 at 4:07 am
IS the writer being satiric, though, as Swift is? Or are they ripe for satire themselves?
September 13, 2007 at 12:45 pm
That’s why it is so fascinating, the writers of the Newgate Calender are obviously not being satiric at all, but completely serious. I would say they are MORE than ripe for satire, and that’s why I find Swift so entertaining.
September 13, 2007 at 1:11 pm
Don’t statements like this free that “inner feminist?” I can’t help getting a wee bit bristled… eh? Shall we open up the men bashing forum?
September 18, 2007 at 12:05 pm
I’ve always loved Swift, his satires make people consider thing in a new light that still happen today. This kind of quote though seems a prime example of how much some men then took responsibility for their actions… which apparently wasn’t very much.
I saw something similar in another one that seemed to be trying to explain a man’s murderous behaviour by saying something about how his wife wasn’t loyal to him and he had to swear off women alltogether.