A Dialogue Between My Head & My Heart Thu. Aug 2nd, 07

On this day, 231 years ago, a handful of white guys got together and formally signed a rather optimistic document most know as the The Declaration of Independence— which was no doubt an important document in its time, but has only managed to age to the tune of nostalgia and stupidity (in large thanks to its citizens, myself among them).

Sometimes I get a better understanding of historical figures—which are often just painted with broad brush strokes in textbooks & by lecturers and have just as often left only abstract impressions on me—when I look into the personal lives of the various historical figures I happen to come across. And when I do this, it also helps me break away from the mythology that has built up around them.

Thomas Jefferson, who most credit as the main author of The Declaration of Independence, was a man of many more colours than his white wig lets on. The one I’d like to share with you today is a piece he wrote to the married Maria Cosway, entitled, A Dialogue Between My Head & My Heart.

For those of you that have set down and read the entire Declaration of Independence and have enjoyed not simply its ideas, but also its language, the beautiful skill A Dialogue Between My Head & My Heart evidences will come as no surprise, but for those who haven’t, it may come as something of a shock.

The short version of the story behind this little piece is that Jefferson had fallen in love with a woman who was unattainable (I guess it really does happen to everybody), and the dialogue was the result of his head and heart each trying to talk some sense into the other.

Here’s a snippet from the opening passage:

Head. Well, friend, you seem to be in a pretty trim.

Heart. I am indeed the most wretched of all earthly beings. Overwhelmed with grief, every fibre of my frame distended beyond its natural powers to bear, I would willingly meet whatever catastrophe should leave me no more to feel or to fear.

Head. These are the eternal consequences of your warmth & precipitation. This is one of the scrapes into which you are ever leading us. You confess your follies indeed; but still you hug & cherish them; & no reformation can be hoped, where there is no repentance.

I find that incredibly engaging.

So whether you dislike Jefferson, have an affinity for him, or even if you haven’t given the old coot a thought in years, I suggest you download A Dialogue Between My Head & My Heart, save it to your desktop to read for later, or print a copy to put on your shelf to stumble upon some day in the future because not only is it an intimate look at a former president, but it also has moments of tender wisdom that I imagine every head and heart could stand to learn from.

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Tags: TheDeclaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson, A Dialogue Between My Head & My Heart, history, literature, a reverie on literature,