The National Being · Chapters

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Chapter companions for The National Being by George William Russell.

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Chapter 1
Dedication
The author dedicates the book to Sir Horace Plunkett, reflecting on how Plunkett grafted poetry onto economics and inspired the author to explore the union of spiritual and material forces.
Chapter 2
The National Being
This chapter introduces the concept of the 'National Being' as a foundational principle for Irish polity, arguing that a nation's true identity and strength derive from its collective spiritual and intellectual character rather than material or political structures alone.
Chapter 3
I
The chapter introduces the birth of the Irish state in 1914 amid world conflict and reflects on the need to build a national civilization based on intellectual and spiritual foundations rather than mere political passion. It argues for the development of national ideals through scholars, thinkers, and artists, and emphasizes the importance of discovering the fundamental character of Ireland to guide its future.
Chapter 4
II
The chapter explores the concept of the National Being as an oversoul that elevates individuals in a civilization, contrasting the unified ideals of ancient societies like Egypt, Greece, and Ireland with the lack of heroic figures in modern literature and democracy. It argues that poets and artists once created ideals that shaped national character, but modern literature fails to inspire greatness, leading to a decline in spiritual dignity and a loss of direction in Ireland.
Chapter 5
III
The chapter argues that Ireland's new polity must reject theocratic and aristocratic rule, and instead address the economic disenfranchisement of the working class. It critiques industrial autocracy and calls for integrating labor into the economic structure to prevent social upheaval.

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Dedication

The National Being

I

II

III