The Education of Henry Adams · Chapter
Eccentricity (1863) explained
Henry Adams reflects on the nature of English eccentricity during his time in London, contrasting it with American pragmatism.
What happens
Henry Adams reflects on the nature of English eccentricity during his time in London, contrasting it with American pragmatism. He observes that English society values eccentricity as a force and a charm, while Americans view it as wasteful. Adams notes that English eccentrics tend to sympathize with the Southern Confederacy, and he examines the political figures of the day, including John Bright, whose forceful language Adams defends as necessary for driving ideas into the English mind. The chapter explores the limits of English education and the challenges of understanding a society that prizes individuality over consistency.
Themes in this chapter
American Exceptionalism and Europe
Adams contrasts American pragmatism and economy with English eccentricity and waste, questioning the value of English education for an American.
Power and Force
The chapter examines whether English eccentricity is a sign of strength or weakness, and compares the effectiveness of American and British political styles.
Social Class and Identity
Adams observes the social dynamics of English society, where eccentricity is a mark of distinction and class, and where the middle class is subject to satire.
Characters to notice
- Henry Adams
The private secretary and narrator, observing English society and its eccentricities, and comparing them to American traits.
- John Bright
A practical, consistent politician who uses strong language to drive ideas home; Adams defends his violence of speech as necessary for the English audience.
- William Ewart Gladstone
Mentioned as an example of English eccentricity, who laughed at Dundreary and whose inconsistencies are contrasted with Bright's steadiness.
- Monckton Milnes
Described as an eccentric in manner but not in mind, with ideas slightly ahead of his time; a friend of the Legation.
- James Russell Lowell
Later Minister to London; Adams discusses with him Bright's forceful language, with Lowell finding it too violent.
- Charles Francis Adams
Henry's father, mentioned as an example of the American national type dealing effectively with the British.
- William H. Seward
Mentioned as part of the American type that holds its own against British force.
- Thurlow Weed
Mentioned as an example of the American national type that deals with the British and shows strength.
Key passages
“Knowledge of human nature is the beginning and end of political education, but several years of arduous study in the neighborhood of Westminster led Henry Adams to think that knowledge of English human nature had little or no value outside of England.”
Understanding people is key to politics, but Adams concluded that understanding English people is useless anywhere else.
Adams introduces the chapter's central theme: the insularity of English character.
“The English mind was one-sided, eccentric, systematically unsystematic, and logically illogical.”
The English way of thinking is biased, quirky, disorganized by design, and unreasonable in a logical sense.
Adams summarizes his critique of the English intellect.
“Eccentricity was so general as to become hereditary distinction. It made the chief charm of English society as well as its chief terror.”
Oddity was so common it became a family trait, both the most attractive and most frightening aspect of English social life.
Adams highlights the paradoxical nature of eccentricity in England.
“Bright knew his Englishmen better than Lowell did—better than England did. He knew what amount of violence in language was necessary to drive an idea into a Lancashire or Yorkshire head.”
Bright understood that forceful speech was needed to get through to English audiences, especially in the north.
Adams defends Bright's rhetorical style as culturally appropriate.
