Franciscan Elements in the Life and Some Essays of Francis Thompson

FRANCISCAN ELEMENTS IN THE LIFE AND SOME ESSAYS OF FRANCIS THOMPSON PREFACE To arrive at an estimate of the influence bearing upon the life and work of an author, the primary necessity is to realize his particular point of view. This can be achieved by studying the author in the light of his background. Francis Thompson lived and wrote in an atmosphere of a virile Franciscan cult which permeated English life during the latter half of the nineteenth century. Because of this fact, an interpretation of the nature and significance of the spirit of St. Francis is necessary in order to arrive at an understanding of the mind of Thompson as revealed in his essays, as well as to appreciate the full impact of this spirit on his life. Hence, a brief, historical research into the nature and significance of the spirit of St. Francis will be the subject matter of Chapter One. Conversely, the test of an understanding of Francis Thompson would consist in the ability to recognize the Franciscan elements in his life and essays. Therefore, Chapter Two will attempt to examine the nature of the Franciscan spirit that existed in England during the nineteenth century in which Thompson lived and wrote. Paradoxical as it may seem, the nineteenth, a century of revolution, phenomenal expansion, mounting wealth and material well being, loved St. Francis more perhaps than any other saint, but it loved him in its own way. Then, too, interest in the personality of St. Francis was enkindled during this century by the importance attached to the sixth centenary of his death. By a curious coincidence, on this centenary a writer belonging to the German Romantic School published a small volume entitled Der Heilige Franziskus von Assist, Ein Troubadour. The novelty was contained in the sub-title, Ein Troubadour, which implied the discovery of the knight and minstrel in the Saint of Assisi, traits which heretofore were disregarded. Moreover, the circumstances of Francis Thompson's life, bound up as they are with a background of Francican spirituality, postulate, for a true view of the man, an investigation of this influence in his life. Consequently, Chapter Three will focus attention on the spirit of St. Francis as revealed in the facts of Thompson's life. 36 Franciscan Elements in Thompson37 Since the full impact of the influence on an author would be most noticeable in his writings, the final chapter will deal with a consideration of the Franciscan elements in some of the essays of Francis Thompson. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the Franciscan influence in the life and some essays of Thompson in order to prove that his life and essays reflect and embody the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi. The primary source for the life of St. Francis was the English version of The Writings of St. Francis of Assisi (1906), edited by Paschal Robinson . The official biography providing other basic facts on St. Francis was that of Brother Thomas of Celano, a contemporary of the Saint— St. Francisci Assisiensis Vita Prima et Miracula, edited by Eduard d'Alençon (1906). Theodore A. Zaremba's published doctoral dissertation which contained a study of the Third Order Secular as an agency of social reform, proved helpful in tracing the significance of the Franciscan spirit through the centuries. Everard Meynell's Life of Francis Thompson supplied the first-hand biographical facts, and the essays themselves were included in the Prose Works (1913), edited by Wilfred Meynell, Thompson's friend, philosopher, and guide. Of special importance to my study was the book. Literary Criticisms of Francis Thompson (1948), newly discovered and collected by Terence L. Connolly, curator of the Thompson Collection at Boston College. CHAPTER ONE THE NATURE OF THE SPIRIT OF ST. FRANCIS The life of a Christian has always been regarded as a military service of Christ. St. Paul who borrows many figures from military life demands of every Christian that he be "a good soldier of Christ."1 In the sixth century St. Benedict, the father of Western monasticism, regarded his monks as soldiers who would do battle for Christ, the true King. But in the period of the Crusades, the...