Passion and the Longue Duree

Alexander Pope’s poem An Essay of Man, introduced to Colonial America in 1730, contributed to the longue duree of the 18^th century. As Eustace discusses in Passion is the Gale, Pope’s views on passion and self-love caused new perspectives on self-determination, and spoke strongly to the colonist’s desire for independence; passion would help change the American culture from elitist to egalitarian.  Early in the 18^th century, the language of emotion is used primarily by the colonial elites to communicate power or social standing, but by the American Revolution, it is being used to communicate shared feelings of equality and independence.  As we read in Scandal at Bizarre, Kiernan describes other elements of the longue duree, to include the economic deterioration of the gentry “class” and the resultant loss of standing and honor that would contribute to the political downfall of the ruling elite by the end of the century.  Even environmental issues were part of this longue duree, as impacts to commerce and property/business ownership - similar to those described by Cronon in Changes in the Land.  These events were also discussed using the language of passion to reflect changes in power or efforts to maintain good faith.

In analyzing the use of emotion in the language of 18^th century colonial elites, Eustace shows how these different views on passion were used to support/refute political, social and religious agendas as well as relational power. For example, some Quakers used passion as an expression of duty when trying to make the case for military action in the Seven Year War; similarly, other Quakers would use passion to justify actions against slavery.  Politically, emotional language was used to reflect the hierarchy or dominant power of the parties; Royal decrees stating the “affection” and “love” of subjects for their King were meant to confirm the hierarchy and loyalty of the colonists.  Anglo-Americans also used emotional language, and specifically terms of affection, to project a relationship of power over native Americans – exchanges were often described as including “tokens of affection or gifts of love” from the Indians, supposedly reflecting the dominant position of the colonists.  Within elite society, young men of the upper class made public expressions of romantic love as part of the courtship process.  The language, though romantic, clearly reflected the social standing of the individual and reinforced the power of men over women.