REVISE – England in 1819

Read the following statements that focus on key poetic expressions and choose the correct alternative to complete the sentences.

1 Describing the rulers as 'leech-like' primarily allows Shelley to ________.
2 The phrase 'blind in blood' suggests that the rulers are ________.
3 By referring to 'golden and sanguine laws', Shelley implies that laws are ________.
4 The term 'liberticide' presents the army as ________.

Imagine you are a reporter in St Peter's Square, Manchester,  on 16^th August 1819, describing the protest and the bloodshed that followed. Complete the text with the words given.

I stood among the thousands gathered at St Peter's Square, part of a vast crowd calling for political ________. We were ________, ordinary people drawn together by shared ________ rather than rebellion. Instead of listening, the men in ________ sent the army, and what followed was a ________ attack meant to restore ________ through fear. In that moment, the distance between rulers and people became painfully clear. Those of us who survived became ________ to a system determined to protect itself at any cost. Yet, the attempt to drive us into ________ failed. Though crushed in that moment, our voices carried forward, challenging ________ and planting the seeds of lasting change.

Match each theme (A-E)  to the part of the sonnet that best demonstrates it (1-5). Write the correct letters in the gaps..

1 Those in authority use the army to silence ordinary people. ________
2 The belief that social and political change can come from peaceful methods. ________
3 Individuals united by shared beliefs acting together for a common cause. ________
4 The idea that even after defeat, future change is possible. ________
5 Instead of supporting the people, the Church and political authorities serve their own interests. ________

A Collective action
B Disillusionment with institutions
C Non-violent protest
D Abuse of power
E Hope and rebirth

Read the passage below, in which Mary Shelley comments on her husband's feelings regarding England's political climate of the time and decide if the statements are true or false. Then look at the prompts and write some extra reflections in your exercise book. You can use the final text as revision material for your test.

Though Shelley's first eager desire to excite his countrymen to resist openly the oppressions existent during the 'good old times' had faded with early youth, still his warmest sympathies were for the people. He was a republican and loved a democracy. He looked on all human beings as inheriting an equal right to possess the dearest privileges of our nature; the necessaries of life when fairly earned by labour, and intellectual instruction. His hatred of any despotism that looked upon the people as not to be consulted, or protected from want and ignorance, was intense... the news of the Manchester Massacre... roused in him violent emotions of indignation and compassion.

PROMPT QUESTIONS:
1 Refer to STEP 2 and explain how effective Shelley's language is in conveying his criticism of oppressive power.
2 Refer to page 260 of your textbook and elaborate on how Shelley specifically fits in with the Romantic poets of the second generation.
3 Refer to STEP 3 and explain why the Peterloo Massacre caused Shelley's indignation.