Masking and Archaic Justice
Norman Simms in his Article: "Ned Lud's Mummers Play" (1978) examines the Luddite rebellion from a folklore point of view catching more on the rather "mythical" figure of Ned Ludd. Simms interestingly calls upon archaic values such as “the juridical nature of justice” utterly comparing it with the Luddite activities, who sought revenge swearing on this ancient understanding of justice which lies altogether within the forces of nature itself .Such notions of the juridical nature of justice find way in the expressions of all countries and cultures in all times.
Observant of the details and tactics in which the Luddite revolutionaries were engaged Simms derives information from various sources, pointing out the use of masks, disguises, special calls, and other activities perfectly connecting these findings with past popular satires and folk theatrical plays (such as the “Mummers play”1) which thoroughly communicated either by chant or by mock provocative messages to their victims therefore an producing an “utter form of violence.” If one wishes to infiltrate within the notional value of “archaic justice” he/she should not keep his/her mind nailed down to the bounding limits of westerns society's modern evolution. (Modern civilization is more or less merely 100 years old therefore such is our genetical experience as well). Folk tradition is a very strong element in human nature and if one removes his/her "blinds" he will be able recognize it, within today's society as well.
The question of the "Juridical right to violence with in traditional communities” is the second of archaic values that Simms examines within the context of the Luddite rebellion, or of rebellion itself if one wants to extend the problem to further thinking. Simms categorizes the keepers of these rights, separated in two sides. On one side stand the established authorities which “external and alien” to the traditional societies have imposed their power upon the people i.e the squire, the parson, the magistrate, the school teacher, and the tax collector.On the other side stand the “traditional agents of the village community's archaic power” i.e. certain families or clans which were traditionally associated with rights of access to common lands, streams and pathways, or craft fraternities who had their their families and “craft mysteries” to protect; ultimately individuals whose personalities were suited to represent the common sense of justice.The second's group entitlement to “archaic justice” may irrevocably be demonstrated through words, acts and symbols which are kept secret since they are not part of the alien established authority. Thus naturally comes the need for disguise.
The disguise of the person as well as the act becomes only stronger when the victim does not accept the retributional justice; this secrecy especially needed when the victims are part of the dominant power system that has been imposed on to the community. Thus comes the conclusion that during the Luddite uprisings , the followers of Ned Ludd a.k.a. the army of redressers disguised themselves as strangers partly to avoid detection by the magistrates and partly to appear as the “impersonal forces of archaic justice” they sought of getting rid of the polluting object that poisoned their community thus punishing with action of violence the property owners who refused to recognize the juridical integrity of the craft-villages.
Refrences :
1.Mummers' Plays in English tradition (also known as mumming) are seasonal folk plays performed by troupes of actors known as mummers or guisers (or by local names such as rhymers, paceeggers, soulers, tipteerers, galoshins, guysers, and so on.)Such forms of play exist in almost all cultures.Existing as a need of the folk to criticize the wrong doings of the established
authority.
2.Verbal violence is also considered a form of Violence. This form of violence has been is exercised within traditional communities in the form of satire since ancient times. Humiliation by mocking chants or jostling on the street during folk-plays are common ,minor forms of folk violence.
3.Norman Simms is Associate professor at the Department of Humanities/English, University of
Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand refers to himself as s psychohistorian his main research interests being Middle English and Eighteenth-Century literature, especially origins of the novel, history of mentalities, and Jewish civilization. He is a poet and reviewer and has compiled several anthologies and written numerous scholarly articles and monographs. The examined article was written as early as 1978 titled ‘Ned Ludd's Mummers’ Play’, Folklore, 89 , (pg 166-178)
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