Lavengro · Chapter
Advertisement (1857) explained
The author defends his book Lavengro against claims that it was written as a response to the popish agitation of 1850–51, stating that the book was largely written in 1843, completed by 1846, and in the publisher's hands by 1848.
What happens
The author defends his book Lavengro against claims that it was written as a response to the popish agitation of 1850–51, stating that the book was largely written in 1843, completed by 1846, and in the publisher's hands by 1848. He criticizes the publisher for failing to rebut this calumny and asserts his pride in a work that exposed national follies and drew the ire of those the country should least esteem. The chapter closes with a parable about Cogia Efendy, illustrating the vanity of external honors.
Themes in this chapter
Honor and Morality
The author emphasizes his duty to point out national nonsense and his pride in a book that was abused by those unworthy of the country's esteem.
Freedom vs. Convention
The author defends his independent stance against the publisher's failure to correct public misstatements, urging self-reliance: 'take your own part, boy!'
Characters to notice
- George Borrow
The author, defending his book Lavengro against misrepresentation and asserting his duty in writing it.
Key passages
“It having been frequently stated in print that the book called Lavengro was got up expressly against the popish agitation in the years 1850–51, the author takes this opportunity of saying that the principal part of that book was written in the year ’43, that the whole of it was completed before the termination of the year ’46, and that it was in the hands of the publisher in the year ’48.”
The author clarifies that Lavengro was not written as a response to the anti-Catholic agitation of 1850–51; most of it was written in 1843, finished by 1846, and given to the publisher in 1848.
The author refutes a common misrepresentation about the book's timing and purpose.
“But take your own part, boy! For if you don’t, no one will take it for you.”
Defend yourself, because no one else will do it for you.
A call for self-reliance and personal advocacy.