Good Not Deeds Summary
Fidele Ntumba WA Ntumba
English 185
March 10, 2015
The Immortalization of Emily W. Davison
Social Movements often have a symbolic figure; that does not mean, however that there is usually one figure. The symbolic figure’s actions often represent a pivotal moment in the movement or a sacrifice for the movement. Martin Luther King, Patrice Lumumba, and Nelson Mandela, among others are some of the well-known icons of their respective movements. In “Deeds, not Words,” Diane Atkinson suggests that Emily Wilding Davison’s actions on June 4, 1913, ultimately established Davison as an icon for women’s suffrage and women’s rights movements. Atkinson explains that Davison is recognized as a martyr or “fallen warrior” (Atkinson), though her initial actions were disapproved of by the public at the time.
Diane Atkinson explains that throughout Davison’s life she was known for her “battle cry” of “deeds, not words” (Atkinson). Davison ultimately embodied her saying by choosing to show her allegiance to the suffrage movement, on the day of the Derby. The day of the Epsom Derby race was generally attended by the “apex of the social pyramid of the Edwardian England” (Atkinson). The King, Queen, and several other elites attended the event. The King and Queen were represented by Herbert Jones (the jockey) and Anmer (the horse). While Jones was making his way to the crowd to get to the dressing room for the jockies, Davison took a tram to Victorian station and subsequently bought a return ticket to Epsom Downs; she had two “tricolor” flags of the suffragette movement with her.
Having lost the first race by coming in seventh, Jones had his sights set on the third race, which was the Derby. As the race began, the scene at the race was normal as Derby ought to be, though the forecast ironically predicted an upcoming thunderstorm. The riders sped as the race began, and initially Anmer and Jones led, but they soon fell near the rear of the pack. Davison made her way towards the rail
English 185
March 10, 2015
The Immortalization of Emily W. Davison
Social Movements often have a symbolic figure; that does not mean, however that there is usually one figure. The symbolic figure’s actions often represent a pivotal moment in the movement or a sacrifice for the movement. Martin Luther King, Patrice Lumumba, and Nelson Mandela, among others are some of the well-known icons of their respective movements. In “Deeds, not Words,” Diane Atkinson suggests that Emily Wilding Davison’s actions on June 4, 1913, ultimately established Davison as an icon for women’s suffrage and women’s rights movements. Atkinson explains that Davison is recognized as a martyr or “fallen warrior” (Atkinson), though her initial actions were disapproved of by the public at the time.
Diane Atkinson explains that throughout Davison’s life she was known for her “battle cry” of “deeds, not words” (Atkinson). Davison ultimately embodied her saying by choosing to show her allegiance to the suffrage movement, on the day of the Derby. The day of the Epsom Derby race was generally attended by the “apex of the social pyramid of the Edwardian England” (Atkinson). The King, Queen, and several other elites attended the event. The King and Queen were represented by Herbert Jones (the jockey) and Anmer (the horse). While Jones was making his way to the crowd to get to the dressing room for the jockies, Davison took a tram to Victorian station and subsequently bought a return ticket to Epsom Downs; she had two “tricolor” flags of the suffragette movement with her.
Having lost the first race by coming in seventh, Jones had his sights set on the third race, which was the Derby. As the race began, the scene at the race was normal as Derby ought to be, though the forecast ironically predicted an upcoming thunderstorm. The riders sped as the race began, and initially Anmer and Jones led, but they soon fell near the rear of the pack. Davison made her way towards the rail