IRB February 13

   
 IRB Change to The Man Who Was Thursday by GK Chesterton


The Man Who Was Thursday is about mystery story  beginning with a debate about the meaning of poetry between Gabriel Syme and Lucian Gregory.  They get to the topic of anarchism and Syme suggests that Gregory is not a true anarchist.  This frustrates Gregory so much, that he takes Syme to an anarchist meeting underground. Gregory reveals that the secret of being in this group is to publicly talk openly about anarchy so to make yourself appear to be harmless.  The main council is made up of seven men, each named after the day of the week.  At this particular meeting, one man was going to be voted the position of Thursday.  Gregory is expecting to win, however just before the meeting began, Syme revealed that he was a undercover policeman.  Gregory is then afraid to give the speech he had planned as it could be used against him in prosecution, so then the council is unconvinced by his words and no longer want to vote for him.  Syme then makes a wonderful speech and all of the council intrigued.  They vote for Syme to receive the position of Thursday.  Syme is then terrified as he must closely deal with these anarchists.  Most intimidating is Sunday, the head of the council.  At one meeting, it is discovered that one of the men in the main council is actual another undercover policeman.  Some rhetorical elements used are: descriptive language and irony.   The words he uses to describe places are beautiful and captivating:  “The suburb of Saffron Park lay on the sunset side of London, as red and ragged as a cloud of sunset” (1).  He also very wisely observes aspects of life: “That young man with the long auburn hair and impudent face- that young man was not really a poet; but surely he was a poem” and “We say that the dangerous criminal is the educated criminal… Thieves respect property.  They merely wish the property to become their property that they may more perfectly respect it” (2).  These insights say much about Chesterton and make the story  more compelling.  Much of this story is ironic:  Syme revealing that is he an undercover policeman at the anarchist meeting so that both men have secrets about the other that would result in major conflict if ever told; Syme winning the election and becoming Thursday.  The irony makes the story unique and intriguing.  I have come to expect many twists in the plot, but I am always surprised at what they are.  This book is fantastic! I love it so far.