Subjecthood Events

From Many to One subjecthood_events.1

The people of the village had long been loyal subjects of the …. Certainly, there had been troubles - tax evasion, individual rebellions, the typical grumbling of disaffected peasants - but they had been loyal, in the end. And then the news from … came, and a great feeling of unease accompanied it. The government would now issue its decrees in …, a language few of them spoke and even fewer of them read. The … language would no longer be good enough. "Learn", it seemed to say. "Speak in our tongue, or say nothing at all".

The Ideal Citizenry subjecthood_events.2

"Major … is conspiring, again." … swivelled his head to follow his friend's thumb. There, indeed, was the Major, clad in the same uniform as ever. He was leaning in to discuss something with his companion, more for appearances than any genuine desire for secrecy. "So he is. "Honor and loyalty", he always says, "honor and loyalty". We talked the other week about what makes for a good citizen, and he said the same thing." "And what did you say?"

… of the … subjecthood_events.3

Encouraged by the government's efforts to enact …, … nationalists have ceremonially offered … … the title of "… of the …". To accept the title would legitimize the claim that … power ultimately derives from the nation.

"When Napoleon took his crown, he swore to govern in the "sole interest, happiness, and glory of the French people". This is what granted him his power, and allowed him to triumph over all of his foes. If the … wished, … could do the same, with the … people in mind." The … regarded the petitioner with a thoughtful expression on … face. "And what became of Napoleon?" "He became immortal, my …."

Subjects to Citizens subjecthood_events.4

"And what do I mean when I say "to be a …"?", asked the teacher. One of the students rose to answer. "To be a … is to be proud, it is to be honorable, and it is to defend our people. It is to serve … and the … nation, and to respect our … and … ministers." The student stood stock-still, until the portrait-artist in the corner of the room peeked out from behind his canvas. "Well done, …. You may sit."

Memories of the Guillotine subjecthood_events.5

The government's citizenship reform has awakened the spectre of revolutionary excess amongst … and …. They fear their traditional titles being stripped away in favor of equal citizenship.

"It is utterly unnatural. Sinful, I would say - sinful, and it is foreign. My ancestors have presided over this land for a thousand years, and those meddlers in … wish to overthrow the entire order of things. Do they wish for me to be known as "Citizen …"? That is the end of all of this." The driver nodded, his eyes fixed firmly on the road ahead of them. Perhaps the next pothole would swallow them both. "I would say," the lord continued, "that the … has been utterly led astray by those damned new ministers. This is what comes of appointing commoners!"