Patronising Patrick
READING of a_ ghost-and-peasant story by O. L. Simmance recently provided an interesting example of the curious attitude of 19th century authors towards the inhabitants of Ireland. There was no minimising of the hair-raising poverty of the peasants under the semipermanent threat of eviction; the general tone was sympathetic; but the author-
and there were many like him — declined to regard any of the characters as more than one degree above the half-wit. It should surely be possible to show that people are superstitious without presenting them as cretinous or childish. |
The writer was clearly possessed of the | most kindly feelings towards the peasants, but he illustrated with singular clarity the truth of G. K. Chesterton’s dictum that in a revolution the philanthropists, with their unfailing patronising superiority, would be the first to be lynched. But I congratulate Mr. Simmance on his brogue.
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New Zealand Listener, Volume 12, Issue 288, 29 December 1944, Page 7
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145Patronising Patrick New Zealand Listener, Volume 12, Issue 288, 29 December 1944, Page 7
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