# The National Being — Chapters explained

> Chapter companions for The National Being by George William Russell.

- [Dedication](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_national_being_se/chapters/dedication.md): 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.
- [The National Being](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_national_being_se/chapters/the-national-being.md): 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
- [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_national_being_se/chapters/i.md): 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
- [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_national_being_se/chapters/ii.md): 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 hero
- [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_national_being_se/chapters/iii.md): 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 integra

> 18 more chapter companions — [open a free preview](https://www.betterreads.dev/reader?bookId=the_national_being_se_519kb&preview=1) to unlock the rest.

- [The Transformation of Patrick Maloney](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_national_being_se/chapters/iv.md)
- [Chapter V: The Rural Community and the Cooperative Ideal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_national_being_se/chapters/v.md)
- [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_national_being_se/chapters/vi.md)
- [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_national_being_se/chapters/vii.md)
- [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_national_being_se/chapters/viii.md)
- [Chapter IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_national_being_se/chapters/ix.md)
- [The Emancipation of Labor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_national_being_se/chapters/x.md)
- [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_national_being_se/chapters/xi.md)
- [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_national_being_se/chapters/xii.md)
- [Chapter XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_national_being_se/chapters/xiii.md)
- [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_national_being_se/chapters/xiv.md)
- [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_national_being_se/chapters/xv.md)
- [Chapter XVI: Military Spirit and the National Being](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_national_being_se/chapters/xvi.md)
- [Chapter XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_national_being_se/chapters/xvii.md)
- [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_national_being_se/chapters/xviii.md)
- [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_national_being_se/chapters/xix.md)
- [Chapter XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_national_being_se/chapters/xx.md)
- [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_national_being_se/chapters/endnotes.md)

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_national_being_se/chapters