Keats, Nechayev, and Jesus Christ

The Nineteenth Century was the age of radical thinkers in Europe. In politics as well as in literature, we find young radicals storming into the world with revolutionary ideas. It was no wonder: France was just liberated from tyranny and the classical era in Britain was coming to an end – replaced by the romantic period which opposed nearly every single value of classicism.

They had Keats who claimed that the “chameleon” poet has no self. It is not itself. It keeps on filling in some other bodies and rejoices at being an Imogen as much as becoming an Iago. The poet is so absorbed in poetry itself, that he/she loses all aspects of self-ness. He/She is the poem, the character, the story, the world he/she creates. There is no artist and no audience. There is only Art. Art for art’s sake, the romantic poets would say of their time.

In politics, they had Nechayev – a disciple of Karl Marx and conspirator in the assassination of Czar Alexander II – who wrote, “The revolutionary man has no personal interests, no business affairs, no emotions, no attachments, no property and no name. Everything in him is wholly absorbed in the single thought and the single passion for revolution.”

Keats’ aim was much too ideal, and Nechayev’s motives were much too blinded by “revolutionary passion.” But… what do these two men had in common as representations of their era, aside from radicalism?

They had got passion, integrity and single-mindedness in defending what they believe as true. They sacrificed themselves, their lives and future for the sake of something much greater than themselves. They were the kind that moved the earth and set the world unto a new direction. They are called “revolutionists.”

Nonetheless, if every man is to be like Keats, society will lose its meaning. Humanity will be robbed of its vibrant colors – absorbed in one plain, lofty idea. And if passion for reformation is not stabilized and controlled – as in the case of Nechayev – many others will suffer. The bombings in Bali and Jakarta are simply examples of “passion – out of control.”

Keats was vain and Nechayev lost. But pure and upright passion should focus our aim into goodness and justice the way God desires – not what ourselves, or our leaders do. Men are finite. God is infinite.

“Anyone who does not carry his cross and follow Me, cannot be My disciple,” Jesus said.

Carrying the cross, denying our selves and focusing only on the will of the Master are the motivation and aim for those who desire the ultimate good of all man. How can we possibly stray and work in vain if our eyes are fixed on God, to do what is pleasant in His eyes?

This is true passion, integrity, and single-mindedness.

It is in God’s love.

It’s in the cross of Christ.

His sacrifice changed the world.

Is there any revolutionary leader greater than Him?