43 pages 1 hour read

Edmund Burke

Reflections On The Revolution In France

Nonfiction | Essay / Speech | Adult | Published in 1790

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Essay Topics

1.

In Reflections on the Revolution in France, Edmund Burke speaks at length about the current British political climate and past history throughout his argument. Look for examples Burke uses from British politics in his letter: according to Burke, what are the central differences between the Glorious Revolution and the French Revolution?

2.

Locate key points in his letter where Burke glorifies institutions that are counter-revolutionary: monarchy, aristocracy, religious, etc. What descriptions are surprisingly sympathetic, given his support of previous revolutions, like the revolution in America?

3.

Reflections on the Revolution in France predicts the French Revolution would devolve into a military state: in retrospect, knowing the outcome of the French Revolution (or after researching it), how do Burke’s predictions come to pass? What argument(s) does he use to support his prediction?