Question

1. What did Southey think of the New Lanark children's precision drilling?

Answer 1

1. What did Southey think of the New Lanark children's precision drilling?

He thought of what T. Vardon had told him about the cows in Holland. When the cows are taken to shelter, Dutch prevent them from dirtying their tails by tying them and the consequence is that when a cow wags its tail, the others must do it too. He thought that the puppet-like movement of the children were like the water wheel of the Cotton-Mills.

 

2. According to Southey, why was New Lanark like a plantation?

He said that New Lanark was like a plantation because the persons under Robert Owen’s control were white and free to go whenever they wanted to, but if they decided to stay, they were like any negro-slaves.  

3. What contradictions did Southey note in Owen's system of social organization? Do you agree with Southey? Why or Why not?

The contradictions Southey noted in Owen’s system of social organization was that Owen considered his workers as human machines and that Owen expected all mankind would be governed by the same principles of The New Lanark. Southey mentions that Owen hid from others and from himself believing that his system looked for perfect freedom but with the high price of being kept by absolute power.  

I agree with Southey because Owen, by his principles, intended to destroy all character and individuality, which is the power of human society.