Remember remember the 5th of November…
I did indeed remember the 5th of November, and am very aware that today is indeed NOT the 5th of November, but I’ve only thought of this now…
Right, so celebrations in general first. Christmas is celebrated worldwide, and although its roots are in Christianity, many people who celebrate it do it not for the religious connotations, but as a ritual, something that everybody does. I myself am not religious but celebrate Christmas, and to a lesser extent Easter. Sure, these religious holidays have been completely over-ridden by the commercial ideas of today, but many people still celebrate them for the original reasons.
This is why these holidays still carry real meaning, because it is about a belief system that is active in the world today. Now, Bonfire Night… Originally conceived because of the gunpowder plot against King James and Parliament in 1605. Guy Fawkes with his fellow conspirators attempted to blow up Parliament and kill the King… it had something to do with the Catholics not liking the Protestant regime, but I can’t be bothered to read the Wikipedia page so will not go into detail.
As you should know he was captured, tortured and executed for his treason. They burnt his body, where the idea of Bonfire Night came from, ‘burning the Guy’ and all that. Fireworks came in I guess because they’re pretty spectacular, and maybe simulate what Parliament blowing up would have looked like.
Now, I understand why this date was celebrated for years after the event, maybe even a hundred… after all, we still commemorate WWI. That’s all good and well, but the burning question is, does anybody actually celebrate it for the original reason nowadays?
I’m thinking not. Unless there are some pretty die-hard Protestants out there who oppose what Fawkes was trying to do, or some lovers of the monarchy or something. But other than those extreme cases, we celebrate it without a real cause. It has become literally just a ritual without proper relevant meaning. People gather, start large fires and set off fireworks. This could be done any day of the year, but people choose November 5th, almost as an excuse.
Ask anyone why they set off fireworks and they’ll lead it back to Fawkes, but press them further and they have no actual reason to be setting off fireworks, except perhaps ‘Because it’s fun.’ But consider this; had the gunpowder plot never happened, we would not be setting off fireworks or starting large fires in the first place.
I don’t condemn the celebration whatsoever, and I’ve used the word ‘ritual’ where maybe I should have said ‘tradition’. Because after all, we choose to celebrate it, we are not forced into it. Regardless of the reasoning, it has become a part of our culture, even if the actual meaning has been lost to a story for children.
Remember remember the fifth of November
Gunpowder treason and plot
I see no reason the gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot
Song: ‘Brand New – Noro’
