“The Meaning of Democracy”
E.B. White
In class I told the group how I was confused by this essay, and that statement is still true. My experiences thus far are apparently too different from White’s and his audience’s to understand the meaning behind his figurative language. His opening statements about the War Board asking for writing makes me think that he believes their request is silly. This leads me to believe that he thinks government as a whole is frivolous; when they should focus on the war at hand, they are asking writers to answer a question. Some of his metaphors paint democracy in a positive light- “cream in the rationed coffee”, “mustard” and “feeling of vitality”. Possibly he thinks that democracy is a good thing, allowing each person to achieve happiness. Some of his metaphors contrast those positive images- “dent”, “recurrent suspicion”, and “an idea which hasn’t been disproved yet”. Maybe he thinks democracy is ruining the nation and that it is poised for failure.
I would not feel confident in summarizing White’s views of democracy even though I read the essay twice. His figurative language has lost its ability to impact the reader because he or she cannot relate. I wish someone who understands would write a new version using figurative language I understand, or that this person would at least explain it to me.
2 comments:
I had trouble making out his point in this essay too. The best I could get was that E.B. approves of democracy to some point. His first few sentences show the good characteristics of democracy.
In the opening White talks about the commanding power of democracy calling it "the don't in Don't Shove." Almost as though He then says democracy is the "hole in the stuffed shirt" and the "dent in the high hat." These seem to point out the positive aspects of democracy. It is commanding, yet good for all. It doesn't allow the high up people to be the only rule. Democracy is the hole that shows what is behind the "shirt." Democracy shows the flaw in those high up in rank.
Later is speaks of democracy with images of American values and pastimes such as baseball. I feel like he approves of democracy but doesn't make it too clear.
I hear a variety of different things in White's writing. There is pride when American baseball is metioned, but the very last sentence boasts of a cynicism that has been developing for a long time.
I did not understand half of the cultural references made by E.B., but I did understand that through the author's mind, there is pride and shame in the country he lives in. Pride, that we have great traditions which bring people closer together. Shame, that our system is so far removed form what it should be that it cannot even define itself in the mddle of a war. I think White is calling for a change in perspective, a different glass in which to look through.
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