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Excerpt
Excerpt from Thomas Jefferson, a Character Sketch, by Edward Sylvester Ellis
THOMAS JEFFERSON. (1743-1826), By G. Mercer Adam
JEFFERSON, when he penned the famous Declaration of Independence, which
broke all hope of reconciliation with the motherland and showed England
what the deeply-wronged Colonies of the New World unitedly desired
and would in the last resort fight for, had then just passed his
thirty-third birthday. Who was the man, and what were his upbringings
and status in the then young community, that inspired the writing of
this great historic document--a document that on its adoption gave
these United States an ever-memorable national birthday, and seven years
later, by the Peace of Versailles, wrung from Britain recognition of the
independence of the country and ushered it into the great sisterhood of
Nations? To his contemporaries and a later political age, Jefferson, in
spite of his culture and the aristocratic strain in his blood, is known
as the advocate of popular sovereignty and the champion of democracy in
matters governmental, as United States minister to France between the
years 1784-89, as Secretary of State under Washington, and as U. S.
President from 1801 to 1809. By education and bent of mind, he was,
however, an idealist in politics, a thinker and writer, rather than a
debater and speaker, and one who in his private letters, State papers,
and public documents did much to throw light, in his era, on the origin
and development of American political thought. A man of fine education
and of noble, elevated character, he earned distinction among his
fellows, and though opposed politically by many prominent statesmen of
the day, who, like Washington, Hamilton, and Adams, were in favor of a
strong centralized government, while Jefferson, in the interests of the
masses, feared encroachments on State and individual liberty, he
was nevertheless paid the respect, consideration, and regard of his
generation, as his services have earned the gratitude and his memory the
endearing commendation of posterity.
The illustrious statesman was born April 13, 1743, at "Shadwell," his
father's home in the hill country of central Virginia, about 150 miles
from Williamsburg, once the capital of the State, and the seat of
William and Mary college, where Jefferson received his higher education.
His father, Peter Jefferson, was a planter, owning an estate of about
2,000 acres, cultivated, as was usual in Virginia, by slave labor.
His mother was a Miss Randolph, and well connected; to her the future
President owed his aristocratic blood and refined tastes, and with good
looks a fine, manly presence. By her, Thomas, who was the third of nine
children, was in his childhood's days gently nurtured, though himself
fond of outdoor life and invigorating physical exercise. His father
died when his son was but fourteen, and to him he bequeathed the Roanoke
River estate, afterwards rebuilt and christened "Monticello." His
studies at the time were pursued under a fairly good classical scholar;
and on passing to college he there made diligent use of his time in the
study of history, literature, the sciences, and mathematics.
Explanation
Detailed Explanation of the Excerpt from Thomas Jefferson, a Character Sketch by Edward Sylvester Ellis (with G. Mercer Adam)
This passage is a biographical and analytical sketch of Thomas Jefferson, focusing on his role in drafting the Declaration of Independence (1776), his political philosophy, and his personal background. Written in the late 19th or early 20th century (likely around the 1890s–1910s), the text reflects the heroic, reverential tone common in historical biographies of Founding Fathers during that era. Below is a breakdown of the excerpt’s context, themes, literary devices, and significance, with an emphasis on close reading.
1. Context of the Source
- Author & Work: Edward Sylvester Ellis (1840–1916) was a prolific American writer known for historical and biographical works, often aimed at a general audience. This sketch appears in a collection of character studies of prominent figures, co-authored with G. Mercer Adam. The tone is admiring and didactic, typical of late 19th-century biographies that sought to moralize and inspire readers through the lives of great men.
- Purpose: The passage serves as an introduction to Jefferson’s legacy, framing him as a philosopher-statesman whose ideas shaped American democracy. It also contrasts his idealism with the pragmatism of contemporaries like Hamilton and Adams.
- Historical Moment: Written decades after Jefferson’s death (1826), the text reflects post-Civil War America’s preoccupation with national identity, democracy, and the Founders’ conflicting visions of government. The emphasis on states’ rights vs. federal power would have resonated in an era still grappling with Reconstruction and federalism.
2. Key Themes in the Excerpt
A. Jefferson as the Architect of Independence
- The opening sentences dramatize the Declaration’s significance:
"broke all hope of reconciliation with the motherland and showed England what the deeply-wronged Colonies... unitedly desired and would in the last resort fight for."
- Theme of Revolution: The language ("deeply-wronged," "fight for") portrays the colonies as victims of tyranny, justifying rebellion. This aligns with Jefferson’s own rhetoric in the Declaration (e.g., "a long train of abuses").
- Unity & National Identity: The phrase "unitedly desired" emphasizes the colonies’ collective defiance, a key theme in early American nationalism.
B. The Tension Between Idealism and Pragmatism
Jefferson is depicted as a thinker, not a debater:
"an idealist in politics, a thinker and writer, rather than a debater and speaker."
- This contrasts with figures like Alexander Hamilton (a fiery orator) and John Adams (a combative lawyer). The text suggests Jefferson’s strength lay in philosophical depth, not rhetorical flourish.
- Literary Device: Antithesis (juxtaposing "thinker/writer" vs. "debater/speaker") highlights his intellectual rather than performative leadership.
Political Philosophy: The passage frames Jefferson as the champion of democracy and states’ rights:
"in the interests of the masses, feared encroachments on State and individual liberty."
- This reflects his anti-Federalist stance (later embodied in the Democratic-Republican Party), opposing a strong central government (as favored by Hamilton and Adams).
- Significance: The text simplifies Jefferson’s complex legacy (e.g., his slaveholding) to focus on his libertarian ideals, a common trope in 19th-century hagiographies.
C. The Paradox of Aristocracy and Democracy
- Jefferson’s elite upbringing is acknowledged but downplayed:
"in spite of his culture and the aristocratic strain in his blood, he is known as the advocate of popular sovereignty."
- Irony: A Virginia planter-aristocrat becomes the symbol of democratic equality. The text doesn’t critique this contradiction but presents it as proof of his greatness.
- Classical Allusion: The phrase "aristocratic strain in his blood" (via his mother’s Randolph lineage) ties him to Virginia’s gentry, yet his political ideals are framed as transcending class.
D. Education and the Cultivated Mind
- The passage emphasizes Jefferson’s intellectual formation:
"fine education... study of history, literature, the sciences, and mathematics."
- Enlightenment Influence: His self-directed learning (e.g., at William & Mary) aligns with Enlightenment ideals of reason and self-improvement.
- Symbolism: Monticello (his estate) becomes a metaphor for his mind—a place of rational design and refinement.
E. Legacy and Posterity
- The text canonizes Jefferson as a figure worthy of eternal gratitude:
"his services have earned the gratitude and his memory the endearing commendation of posterity."
- Rhetorical Device: Hyperbole ("ever-memorable national birthday") elevates him to mythic status.
- 19th-Century Veneration: This reflects the cult of the Founders in post-Civil War America, where figures like Jefferson were sanitized and idealized to unify a divided nation.
3. Literary Devices & Stylistic Choices
| Device | Example | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Antithesis | "thinker and writer, rather than a debater and speaker" | Highlights Jefferson’s intellectual vs. oratorical strengths. |
| Hyperbole | "ever-memorable national birthday" | Elevates the Declaration to sacred status. |
| Irony | "aristocratic strain... advocate of popular sovereignty" | Underscores the paradox of Jefferson’s democracy. |
| Parallelism | "respect, consideration, and regard" | Creates rhythmic emphasis on his universal admiration. |
| Metaphor | "wrang from Britain recognition" | Portrays independence as a hard-won victory (like wrestling). |
| Allusion | "Peace of Versailles (1783)" | Connects Jefferson’s words to diplomatic triumph. |
4. Significance of the Passage
A. Historical Significance
- The text reinforces the "Jeffersonian myth"—the idea of him as the pure democrat, despite his slaveholding and elitism. This was a deliberate framing in 19th-century histories to legitimize American democracy.
- It contrasts Jefferson with the Federalists (Hamilton, Adams), setting up the partisan divide that defined early U.S. politics.
B. Literary Significance
- The passage exemplifies 19th-century biographical writing, which often moralized history to teach civic virtues.
- The elevated, formal prose reflects the Victorian-era reverence for Founding Fathers, treating them as secular saints.
C. Modern Relevance
- The excerpt glosses over contradictions (e.g., Jefferson’s slavery, his populism vs. aristocracy), which modern scholars critique.
- Yet, it captures the enduring tension in American politics: individual liberty vs. strong government—a debate still alive today.
5. Close Reading of Key Lines
"broke all hope of reconciliation with the motherland"
- Diction: "Broke" suggests violent severance, reinforcing the irreversibility of revolution.
- Personification: "Motherland" (England) is framed as a rejecting parent, making the colonies’ rebellion justified.
"a man of fine education and of noble, elevated character"
- Adjective Stacking: "Fine," "noble," "elevated" create an aura of virtue, aligning with the cult of gentlemanly leadership.
"though opposed politically by many prominent statesmen... he was nevertheless paid the respect"
- Concession & Reaffirmation: Even his enemies admired him, reinforcing his transcendent greatness.
"gently nurtured, though himself fond of outdoor life"
- Juxtaposition: His refined upbringing vs. rugged individualism mirrors the American self-image—civilized yet frontier-spirited.
6. Critiques and Omissions
While the passage is laudatory, it ignores:
- Jefferson’s slaveholding (only mentioning "slave labor" in passing).
- His controversial presidency (e.g., the Embargo Act of 1807, which hurt the economy).
- His personal contradictions (e.g., his affair with Sally Hemings, now widely accepted by historians).
This selective memory was common in 19th-century histories, which prioritized national unity over complex truths.
Conclusion: Jefferson as Symbol and Man
This excerpt mythologizes Jefferson as the philosopher-king of democracy, using elevated prose, contrast, and selective detail to craft an inspiring narrative. While it simplifies his legacy, it captures the 19th-century American need for heroic Founders to justify the nation’s experiment in self-government.
For modern readers, the passage serves as a window into how history is shaped by the values of its writers—here, optimism, nationalism, and a belief in progress—even as it obscures inconvenient truths. Jefferson remains a symbol of both America’s ideals and its contradictions, and this text is a key artifact in the construction of that symbol.