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Definition of Motif
A motif is an element or idea that recurs throughout a work of literature. Motifs, which are often collections of related symbols, help develop the central themes of a book... read full definition
A motif is an element or idea that recurs throughout a work of literature. Motifs, which are often collections of related symbols, help develop the... read full definition
A motif is an element or idea that recurs throughout a work of literature. Motifs, which are often collections of... read full definition
The Description of a New World, Called the Blazing World
Explanation and Analysis—Unity:
Repeated throughout The Blazing World is the motif of the idea of strict unity as the key to the Blazing World’s utopia. This unity is often expressed in versions of the phrase “one religion, one language, one government,” which summarizes the social and political structure of the Blazing World and Cavendish’s model for an ideal society. This emphasis on unity follows from Cavendish’s religious beliefs (the Christian belief in one God) and her political beliefs (the belief in absolute monarchy). By repeating variations of these three tenets throughout the story, Cavendish emphasizes unity as a core aspect of the Blazing World.
In one early description of the Blazing World in Part 1, Cavendish writes:
for there was but one language in all that world, nor no more but one Emperor, to whom they all submitted with the greatest duty and obedience, which made them live in a continued peace and happiness
The description of the Blazing World as having one Emperor and one language establishes the importance of unity for Cavendish. She believes that one language and one Emperor create peace by eliminating any conflict due to differences. Of course, this may be surprising to modern readers, but Cavendish truly believed that allegiance to an absolute monarchy and enforced unity led to peace and a prosperous empire.
This motif of unity appears again when the Empress returns to the Blazing World after traveling to the Duchess’s world. With her absolute power, the Empress altered the government structure of the Blazing World. However, this results in conflict, and she seeks the Duchess’s help to resolve this conflict:
[the Duchess] would advise her Majesty to introduce the same form of government again, which had been before; that is, to have but one sovereign, one religion, one law, and one language, so that all the world might be but as one united family, without divisions; nay, like God, and his blessed saints and angels
The Duchess suggests that the Empress return the government structure to the perfect way she found it: with “one sovereign, one religion, one law, and one language.” Again, unity and “oneness” return as the Duchess’s prevailing opinion about what makes for a stable, utopian society. The Duchess’s argument represents Cavendish’s own belief in absolute monarchy.
Unity also appears in the Epilogue, when Cavendish writes:
I have made my Blazing World, a peaceable world, allowing it but one religion, one language, and one government;
In this sentence, Cavendish clearly connects the concept of a “peaceable world” with a world with enforced unity: “one religion, one language, and one government.” From her perspective, unity of religion, language, and government is required for a peaceful society.
Related Themes:
The Epilogue to The Reader
Explanation and Analysis—Unity:
Repeated throughout The Blazing World is the motif of the idea of strict unity as the key to the Blazing World’s utopia. This unity is often expressed in versions of the phrase “one religion, one language, one government,” which summarizes the social and political structure of the Blazing World and Cavendish’s model for an ideal society. This emphasis on unity follows from Cavendish’s religious beliefs (the Christian belief in one God) and her political beliefs (the belief in absolute monarchy). By repeating variations of these three tenets throughout the story, Cavendish emphasizes unity as a core aspect of the Blazing World.
In one early description of the Blazing World in Part 1, Cavendish writes:
for there was but one language in all that world, nor no more but one Emperor, to whom they all submitted with the greatest duty and obedience, which made them live in a continued peace and happiness
The description of the Blazing World as having one Emperor and one language establishes the importance of unity for Cavendish. She believes that one language and one Emperor create peace by eliminating any conflict due to differences. Of course, this may be surprising to modern readers, but Cavendish truly believed that allegiance to an absolute monarchy and enforced unity led to peace and a prosperous empire.
This motif of unity appears again when the Empress returns to the Blazing World after traveling to the Duchess’s world. With her absolute power, the Empress altered the government structure of the Blazing World. However, this results in conflict, and she seeks the Duchess’s help to resolve this conflict:
[the Duchess] would advise her Majesty to introduce the same form of government again, which had been before; that is, to have but one sovereign, one religion, one law, and one language, so that all the world might be but as one united family, without divisions; nay, like God, and his blessed saints and angels
The Duchess suggests that the Empress return the government structure to the perfect way she found it: with “one sovereign, one religion, one law, and one language.” Again, unity and “oneness” return as the Duchess’s prevailing opinion about what makes for a stable, utopian society. The Duchess’s argument represents Cavendish’s own belief in absolute monarchy.
Unity also appears in the Epilogue, when Cavendish writes:
I have made my Blazing World, a peaceable world, allowing it but one religion, one language, and one government;
In this sentence, Cavendish clearly connects the concept of a “peaceable world” with a world with enforced unity: “one religion, one language, and one government.” From her perspective, unity of religion, language, and government is required for a peaceful society.
Related Themes:
