Lancastrian workers, the dumb and dignified beasts of…
““Lancastrian workers, the dumb and dignified beasts of burden that line the Road to Wigan Pier, thronged tours by Soviet leaders, workers, soldiers and trade unionists in the UK after the Soviets entered the war in 1941. One delegation leader, Nikolai Shvernik, was mobbed by Mancunian women; after his speech at a munitions plant a woman climbed on the stage, ‘clung to his neck, kissed his forehead and then shouted “Come on girls, let’s all kiss him.”’ Moments later, ‘scores of elderly gray-haired women jumped onto the platform and struggled to kiss’ Shvernik. Management convinced the women to go back to their seats, and ‘in what may have been an attempt to cool their ardor, they all sang the Internationale’.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The anecdote illustrates how charismatic political figures can provoke intense, sometimes irrational, emotional responses from crowds, revealing the human side of political spectacle.
In simple terms: Leaders can spark strong, unexpected reactions.
Key Takeaway
Observe how charisma influences mass behavior.
Themes
politics
human behavior
history
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
historical
anecdotal
When to use this quote
- public speeches
- political rallies
- historical research
- media coverage
Key Concepts
charisma
crowd psychology
wartime morale
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do people react so viscerally to leaders?
- Can emotional responses be harnessed responsibly?
A Different Perspective
Such fervor may mask underlying political motives or manipulation.