Robert Fleming Gourley
The narrative centers on a notable figure who graduated from St. Andrews University in Scotland and faced exile from Canada. His journey across the Niagara River symbolizes a transition, marked by a desire to rid himself of the past. He is portrayed as a public man who took pride in his contentious history, having been sentenced by both the Canadian and British governments. His activism in England, particularly his confrontations with political figures like Lord Brougham, highlights his commitment to popular rights. A significant incident in the House of Commons, where he physically confronted Brougham, resulted in a breach of privilege, leading to his sentencing. This act of defiance is commemorated by a relic he kept, symbolizing his enduring spirit. Despite his advanced age and declining health, he aspired to return to Canada and represent Oxford in parliament, motivated by a recent marriage to a younger woman. His determination to prove his vitality contrasts with the perception of others who deemed him too old for political life. The poem reflects on his past, depicting him as a remnant of a bygone era, yet still possessing a noble presence akin to a dilapidated castle. His ambition to represent Oxford ultimately fails, as the constituency opts for a different candidate, Doctor Connor, underscoring the challenges faced by those who seek to reclaim their influence in a changing political landscape. The work encapsulates themes of resilience, the struggle for rights, and the complexities of aging in the pursuit of political relevance.
By James McIntyre · First published 2005 · Genre: Biography, Historical Fiction, Political Commentary · 355 words
First lines
Robert Fleming Gourley was a graduate of St. Andrews', University, Scotland. When he was crossing Niagara river, after being exiled, he asked for a brush to brush Canadian dust off his feet. Perhaps it will please some to see a little sketch of him, as he was a public man and gloried in that he had the honor of being sentenced both by the Canadian Government and the British. Exiled from Canada, he became a champion of popular rights in England. Lord Brougham opposed his schemes and he whipped His Lordship in the lobby of the House of Commons, for which breach of privilege of house he wad sentenced by the House. He preserved the whip as a precious relic in his house at Mt. Elgin. [We presume it would not have been prudent to have allowed an able agitator to disturb the country when Canada was but in its infancy, just entering the second quarter of the present century.] Mr. Gourley owned several farms in Dereham and thought he would like to represent Oxford in 1858, after an absence from Canada of about one third of a century. Every one thought he was too old but the old gentleman being in exuberant spirits, having just been married as he said to a young wife, he would prove to them all there was life in the old dog yet.
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Robert Fleming Gourley is listed on Textopian as a poem by James McIntyre, dated 2005 CE.
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- Work type: Poem
- Author: James McIntyre
- Date: 2005 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Biography, Historical Fiction, Political Commentary, Poetry, Drama
- Length: 355 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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Genres
- Biography — The book focuses on the life and experiences of Robert Fleming Gourley, detailing his background, actions, and significance.
- Historical Fiction — The narrative is set against historical events and figures, providing a fictionalized account of Gourley's life during a specific period.
- Political Commentary — The text discusses themes of political rights, governance, and personal conflict within the political landscape of Canada and England.
- Poetry — The excerpt includes poetic elements, reflecting on Gourley's life and character through verse.
Tags
Biography · Poetry · Canadian Literature · 19th Century Literature · Literary Criticism · Historical Figure · Scottish Heritage · Canadian History · Poetic Form · Free Verse · Symbolism · Imagery