Ever wondered why liberals might shy away from classic American literature? Take 'Eben Holden', Fred Lewis Pattee once called it the great American pastoral epic. Imagine a post-Civil War novel that celebrates traditional American values, hard work, and the great rural landscape—exactly the stuff that might not sit well with the modern liberal narrative! Written by Irving Bacheller in 1900, 'Eben Holden' tells the story of a farm hand escaping the urban slavery of the Old World, settling into the wholesome embrace of the American countryside. It takes us back to simpler times, before the big-city liberal elite emerged to tell everyone how to live.
Set in the upstate New York idyll, the novel chronicles Ebenezer Holden's resilience and resourcefulness. As he takes care of a young boy, William Brower, 'Eben Holden' showcases themes like family, community, and the pursuit of happiness—all conservative cornerstones. It's a journey from nothingness to self-fulfillment without asking for handouts. The irony is that back then, nobody expected the government to foot the bill for personal success. It’s about the power of individualism, something conservatives applaud while some others have seemingly forgotten.
This is not merely a story of survival but a story of achievement—hardwork translating into success without the entitlement of 'welfare'. You won’t find never-ending dependency here; rather you'll see characters like Hope—a name laden with symbolism—rising through grit and determination. The novel is indeed a challenge to the entitlement mentality.
Moreover, Bacheller poignantly portrays the American Dream through characters who understand 'the harder I work, the luckier I get'. While today's mainstream narratives promote a sense of victimhood, 'Eben Holden' dares to contradict that by exemplifying true self-reliance and personal responsibility. Embracing adversity equipped Holden and Brower with the skills often diluted by current cultural narratives.
And let's talk about nature. The appreciation for the natural world is intrinsic in Bacheller's work. Today’s climate rhetoric would have you believe people of the past were careless with Mother Earth, but 'Eben Holden' obliterates that myth, showing a harmonious interaction with the land—a real environmentalism not dependent on plastic piety.
The language too is an ode to a time before political correctness restrained free speech. Imagine reading dialogue unblemished by the cautious censorship of today’s ever-watchful eye! In 'Eben Holden', conversations are raw yet respectful, proving that honesty doesn't need to be offensive—unless, of course, you're easily triggered by truth.
Irving Bacheller shone his spotlight into the rich Americana that many seem to have disregarded. Eben Holden himself is the archetype of a man who would scoff at the idea of safe spaces and campus cry-ins. He's a no-nonsense, get-it-done kind of guy—a model of personal grit where the only safe space is the one he built with his bare hands.
The story, fiction of its time, competes with its contemporary realistical backdrop similar to today's non-violent revolutionary spirit of conservatism, which subtly pits urban against rural, activism against individualism, collectivism against personal success.
So why is 'Eben Holden' timeless to some and out-of-touch to others? Perhaps it's because it reflects an America that valued different things back then. Things current narratives overlook—a booming economy not boiled down to Wall-Street wizardry, nor inflated by imaginary ‘Green-New-Deals’.
'Eben Holden' is American to its core and offers a slice of historical resilience that remains relevant today. The book is a testament to enduring values rooted in upstate New York's picturesque landscape, narrating what happens when you put faith in God, trust in yourself, and belief in your future.
In the timeless debate of traditional versus progressive, Bacheller’s work stands firm with ankles deep in old-school triumphs, refusing to be erased from the bookshelf of American values.