Cholera, 1866 by Charles Kingsley

Name: Cholera, 1866
Author: Charles Kingsley

The work addresses the cholera outbreak of 1866 as a divine visitation, linking it to moral and spiritual failings within society. It argues that while cholera arises from natural causes, it serves as a judgment from God, punishing those who neglect cleanliness and health. The text emphasizes that the poor suffer not only due to their own choices but also because of systemic failures in providing safe living conditions. It challenges the notion that such calamities are solely punitive, suggesting instead that they can be acts of love, intended to save souls from greater evils. The author calls for a recognition of God's continuous presence and involvement in the world, urging society to learn from these visitations rather than merely pray for their removal. The work critiques a growing atheism that perceives God as distant, advocating for a return to understanding divine visitations as opportunities for growth and moral rectification. It concludes with a hopeful vision of a future where faith in God leads to the eradication of cholera and other societal ills, emphasizing the need for collective responsibility and spiritual awakening to align with divine will. The overarching message is one of reflection, urging individuals and society to confront their shortcomings and seek a deeper relationship with God.

By Charles Kingsley · First published 1866 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Non-Fiction, Medical · 4,043 words

First lines

There came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people. - LUKE vii. 16.

YOU recollect to what the text refers? How the Lord visited His people? By raising to life a widow's son at Nain. That was the result of our Lord's visit to the little town of Nain. It is worth our while to think of that text, and of that word, ‘visit,' just now. For we are praying to God to remove the cholera from this land. We are calling it a visitation of God; and saying that God is visiting our sins on us thereby. And we are saying the exact truth. We are using the right and scriptural word.

What this Textopian page supports

Cholera, 1866 is listed on Textopian as a speech by Charles Kingsley, dated 1866 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Speech
Author: Charles Kingsley
Date: 1866 CE
Language: English
Genres: Historical Fiction, Non-Fiction, Medical, Drama
Length: 4,043 words
Structure: 1 section, 34 paragraphs
Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)

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Discussion starters

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Genres

Historical Fiction — This genre is most relevant because the book references a real and specific historical event, the cholera outbreak of 1866, as the main focus of its plot.
Non-Fiction — The narrative recounts true events. Hence, despite being formatted as a novel, it can also be categorized as non-fiction based on its content.
Medical — The book focuses specifically on a medical event, a cholera epidemic, thus the medical genre is relevant.
Drama — The book highlights the intense emotional struggles of those affected by the cholera outbreak, lending itself to the drama genre.