Coningsby (novel)
Encyclopedia
Coningsby, or The New Generation, is an English political novel
by Benjamin Disraeli published in 1844.
that followed the enactment of the Reform Bill
of 1832. In describing these events Disraeli sets out his own beliefs including his opposition to Robert Peel
, his dislikes of both the British Whig Party
and the ideals of Utilitarianism
, and the need for social justice
in a newly industrialized society. He portrays the self-serving politician in the character of Rigby (based on John Wilson Croker
) and the malicious party insiders in the characters of Taper and Tadpole.
, called Lord Monmouth. Lord Monmouth initially disapproved of Coningsby's parents' marriage, but on their death he relents and sends the boy to be educated at Eton College
. At Eton Coningsby meets and befriends Oswald Millbank, the son of a rich cotton
manufacturer who is a bitter enemy of Lord Monmouth. The two older men represent old and new wealth in society.
As Coningsby grows up he begins to develop his own liberal
political views and he falls in love with Oswald's sister Edith. When Lord Monmouth discovers these developments he is furious and secretly disinherits his grandson. On his death, Coningsby is left penniless, and is forced to work for his living. He decides to study law and to become a barrister. This proof of his character impresses Edith's father (who had previously also been hostile) and he consents to their marriage at last. By the end of the novel Coningsby is elected to Parliament
for his new father-in-law's constituency and his fortune is restored.
The character of Coningsby himself is based on George Smythe
.
The themes, and some of the characters, reappear in Disraeli's later novels Sybil
, and Tancred
.
Political fiction
Political fiction is a subgenre of fiction that deals with political affairs. Political fiction has often used narrative to provide commentary on political events, systems and theories. Works of political fiction often "directly criticize an existing society or.....
by Benjamin Disraeli published in 1844.
Background
The book is set against a background of the real political events of the 1830s in EnglandEngland
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
that followed the enactment of the Reform Bill
Reform Act 1832
The Representation of the People Act 1832 was an Act of Parliament that introduced wide-ranging changes to the electoral system of England and Wales...
of 1832. In describing these events Disraeli sets out his own beliefs including his opposition to Robert Peel
Robert Peel
Sir Robert Peel, 2nd Baronet was a British Conservative statesman who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 10 December 1834 to 8 April 1835, and again from 30 August 1841 to 29 June 1846...
, his dislikes of both the British Whig Party
British Whig Party
The Whigs were a party in the Parliament of England, Parliament of Great Britain, and Parliament of the United Kingdom, who contested power with the rival Tories from the 1680s to the 1850s. The Whigs' origin lay in constitutional monarchism and opposition to absolute rule...
and the ideals of Utilitarianism
Utilitarianism
Utilitarianism is an ethical theory holding that the proper course of action is the one that maximizes the overall "happiness", by whatever means necessary. It is thus a form of consequentialism, meaning that the moral worth of an action is determined only by its resulting outcome, and that one can...
, and the need for social justice
Social justice
Social justice generally refers to the idea of creating a society or institution that is based on the principles of equality and solidarity, that understands and values human rights, and that recognizes the dignity of every human being. The term and modern concept of "social justice" was coined by...
in a newly industrialized society. He portrays the self-serving politician in the character of Rigby (based on John Wilson Croker
John Wilson Croker
John Wilson Croker was an Irish statesman and author.He was born at Galway, the only son of John Croker, the surveyor-general of customs and excise in Ireland. He was educated at Trinity College, Dublin, where he graduated in 1800...
) and the malicious party insiders in the characters of Taper and Tadpole.
Story
The story of the novel follows the life and career of Henry Coningsby, the orphan grandson of a wealthy marquessMarquess
A marquess or marquis is a nobleman of hereditary rank in various European peerages and in those of some of their former colonies. The term is also used to translate equivalent oriental styles, as in imperial China, Japan, and Vietnam...
, called Lord Monmouth. Lord Monmouth initially disapproved of Coningsby's parents' marriage, but on their death he relents and sends the boy to be educated at Eton College
Eton College
Eton College, often referred to simply as Eton, is a British independent school for boys aged 13 to 18. It was founded in 1440 by King Henry VI as "The King's College of Our Lady of Eton besides Wyndsor"....
. At Eton Coningsby meets and befriends Oswald Millbank, the son of a rich cotton
Cotton
Cotton is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll, or protective capsule, around the seeds of cotton plants of the genus Gossypium. The fiber is almost pure cellulose. The botanical purpose of cotton fiber is to aid in seed dispersal....
manufacturer who is a bitter enemy of Lord Monmouth. The two older men represent old and new wealth in society.
As Coningsby grows up he begins to develop his own liberal
Liberalism
Liberalism is the belief in the importance of liberty and equal rights. Liberals espouse a wide array of views depending on their understanding of these principles, but generally, liberals support ideas such as constitutionalism, liberal democracy, free and fair elections, human rights,...
political views and he falls in love with Oswald's sister Edith. When Lord Monmouth discovers these developments he is furious and secretly disinherits his grandson. On his death, Coningsby is left penniless, and is forced to work for his living. He decides to study law and to become a barrister. This proof of his character impresses Edith's father (who had previously also been hostile) and he consents to their marriage at last. By the end of the novel Coningsby is elected to Parliament
Parliament of the United Kingdom
The Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the supreme legislative body in the United Kingdom, British Crown dependencies and British overseas territories, located in London...
for his new father-in-law's constituency and his fortune is restored.
The character of Coningsby himself is based on George Smythe
George Smythe, 7th Viscount Strangford
George Smythe, 7th Viscount Strangford , styled The Honourable George Smythe until 1855, was a British Conservative politician, best known for his association with Benjamin Disraeli and the Young England movement...
.
The themes, and some of the characters, reappear in Disraeli's later novels Sybil
Sybil (novel)
Sybil, or The Two Nations is an 1845 novel by Benjamin Disraeli. Published in the same year as Friedrich Engels's The Condition of the Working Class in England in 1844, Sybil traces the plight of the working classes of England...
, and Tancred
Tancred (novel)
Tancred; or, The New Crusade is a novel by Benjamin Disraeli, first published by Henry Colburn in three volumes. Together with Coningsby and Sybil it forms a sequence sometimes called the Young England trilogy...
.
Characters
- Philip Augustus, Marquess of Monmouth (Lord Cardiff)
- Henry Coningsby, Esq.
- Sir Charles Buckhurst
- Lord Eskdale
- Duke of Beaumanoir
- Lord Henry Sydney
- Lord Vere
- Lord Fitz-Booby
- Sir Joseph Wallinger
- Lady Wallinger
- Oswald Millbank
- Edith Millbank
- Paul Prince Colonna
- Madame Colonna
- Lucretia Princess Colonna
- Lucian Gay
- Mr. Nicolas Rigby
- Mr. Taper
- Mr. Tadpole
- Mr. Ormsby
- Armand Villebecque
- Marie Estelle Matteau (Stella)
- Flora Villebecque (La Petite)
- Sidonia