Today in The Female Stoic Podcast we are looking at the portrayal of Fortitude in Edith Nesbit’s novel The Railway Children and educationally speaking, making cross-curricular references  to Stoic Philosophy.

Fortitude as we know is the courage to continue through pain and adversity, which of course links to the stoic virtue of courage.

So, what was the need for fortitude in The Railway Children?

As I always say, if you haven’t heard the story, or indeed read the story, look out for my audiobook at www.neworldbooks.uk

Edith Nesbit’s novel was originally serialised in The London Magazine during 1906. It had 3 main protagonists the Waterbury’s who were of course, children. It is their powerful and honest perspective that drives the narrative in this book.

Roberta (Bobbie), Phyllis, and Peter’s happy life is upended when their father, is wrongly imprisoned, forcing them to move to a house near a railway in Yorkshire. This was the age of the steam engine.  set in early 20th-century England.

There is a direct contrast made between the children's former comfortable life and their new, impoverished existence in Yorkshire, which showcases the development of their bond with a working-class station master Perks.

This reflects Nesbit's socialist leanings.

Edith Nesbit was a member of the Fabian Society – a society which seeks a fairer distribution of wealth and power, achieved through a mix of social ownership and private enterprise.

Its core beliefs include the promotion of equality of power, wealth, and opportunity; and it emphasises social progress, and the importance of strong public institutions. 

So, to go back to the story:

This narrative centres on the Waterburys' strength and unity in the face of adversity, with the three children learning to be self-sufficient, whilst in the background their mother demonstrates quiet fortitude.

It centres on the Waterbury’s strength and unity in the face of adversity, with the three children learning to be self-sufficient, whilst in the background their mother demonstrates quiet fortitude.

The beauty of this book is that it celebrates the role of children – their significance - their agency in effecting change

We see them as active participants when saving a train headed for disaster, helping a Russian refugee and urging the investigation into the wrongful incarceration of their father. And of course, they do this amidst adversity. Through the confusion and eventual painful acceptance of exactly what has happened to their family.

They change from wealth to poverty.

They change from respectability to an unjustifiable fall from grace.

They see the change in their mother as she battles with the reality of it all.

And all the while, the children are growing up. One boy, two girls, each with different personalities and birth order.

So they have different perspectives on it all:

Bobbie the eldest with a deep connection to her mother’s plight.

Peter the new ‘man’ of the house, trying his best to be everything he feels a man should be.

And Phyllis who represents the  spirited, innocence of youth.

They compliment and contradict each other throughout the novel as siblings do. But when push comes to shove, they club together and rise victorious, which is the beauty of this story.

Everything has an end, and you get to it if you only keep all on." — says Peter to Phyllis while they are walking through a seemingly endless tunnel.

What a perfect depiction of perseverance and courage we need to keep going during difficult times!

"They're awfully brave, you know," [Dr. Forrest] went on. "Think of Bobbie waiting alone in the tunnel with that poor chap. It's an odd thing--the softer and more easily hurt a woman is the better she can screw herself up to do what HAS to be done." 

How beautifully this book celebrates the deep well of strength seemingly "soft" individuals can have. The Railway Children suggests that courage isn't always dramatic, but often that steady resolve that is quiet, that doesn’t receive applause, but commits to do what is right nevertheless and "keep on" through adversity. 

So, let’s relate this to Stoic Philosophy.

Well, we hardly need point out the obvious. But let’s go a little deeper.

'Everything is born from change' says Marcus Aurelius in Meditations

'Change is the fundamental, natural force driving all existence, with the universe constantly altering and renewing itself; current realities are seeds for future ones.So, it is up to us to find peace by accepting impermanence rather than resisting it. Resisting change leads to suffering, Transformation allows for adaptation and growth and in order to maintain inner peace, we must embrace it.'

And how did Marcus Aurelius do this in his life?

He worked through Plague and famine by focusing on his duties as emperor, and viewing these immense challenges as external events that, whilst devastating, could not control his moral duty. 

Unlike others who fled the cities to avoid infection, he remained in Rome and toured the empire to manage the crisis personally,

He summoned the era's most brilliant minds, to tackle the disease.

He sought the recruitment of soldiers from unusual sources (even gladiators and slaves) in order to address manpower shortages caused by the plague and ongoing wars.

And all the while Maintaining Law and order.

The founder of Stoicism, Zeno of Citium, who taught in Athens from about 300 BC. was a wealthy merchant who lost everything in a shipwreck. According to ancient biographers, after his ship carrying a valuable cargo of purple dye sank, he was stranded in Athens, penniless. His shipwreck led him to a bookshop where he discovered philosophy, ultimately changing the course of his life and history.

His reaction was: "I made a prosperous voyage when I suffered a shipwreck." 

"Fortune bids me to be a less encumbered philosopher." 

This suggests he felt released from the burdens of wealth, and freed him to pursue a life of the mind.

Zeno lived in accordance with the central tenet of Stoicism: The Dichotomy of Control  which distinguishes between what he could control (his thoughts, judgments, and actions) and what he could not  (external events like shipwrecks).

He saw virtue as the Only True Good: External things like wealth and reputation, he considered "indifferents" . He said, only virtue (wisdom, courage, justice, and temperance) is truly good. 

And this is the only thing that cannot be taken away by external forces.

As Stoics, we believe we must align our will with the natural order of the universe and accept what fate brings. Railing against an unchangeable event only leads to inner turmoil.

Acceptance leads to peace.

Which of course ties in beautifully with the plight of Roberta, Peter and Phyllis in The Railway Children.

And which core tenets of Stoic Philosophy do the railway children align with?

Courage and Fortitude.

Act rightly and virtuously despite fear, pain, or hardship.

(This is not the absence of fear, but the reasoned choice to do what's necessary for moral good.)

Endure suffering, and face challenges calmly. Persevere with integrity, and understand what is truly good or bad.

This resilience helps us to stay focused and act according to principle, not impulse, allowing for a more fulfilling life. 

Journal task of the day:

Write an account of a time you were forced into change 

Be honest about how you dealt with it

Make an objective account of your process, be it chaotic or focused.

Then underneath, reflect on that and set three bullet points for how you could deal with the situation more effectively in relation to stoic teachings

So, to conclude:

The Railway Children by Edith Nesbit, embodies stoicism through the Waterbury children's quiet endurance, resilience, and focus on duty despite their father's unjust imprisonment.

They find purpose in helping others and embracing simple joys.

They maintain hope and demonstrate that playing their part in the community overcomes hardship, which ties into the Fabian Society’s ideals.

They demonstrate Endurance & Resilience.

They adapt to their new, humble life by embracing the small things, rather than complaining.

Roberta takes on adult responsibilities

Peter learns from failures (like stealing coal)

and Phyllis finds joy in the new natural backdrop

They focus on what they can control, and find purpose in acts of kindness (helping the Old Gentleman, and delivering groceries)

This reflects the  Stoic sentiment of contributing to the greater good.

They all accept their current situation, whilst holding on to the hope of Mr Waterbury’s return. This echos the stoic sentiment – finding peace in the present moment

Take-Away's from today's LIVE SESSION:

We are learning lessons from what we read -Literary Empowerment

It doesn’t make sense to level down or retreat when you have unlocked the achievements, does it?

When we experience change, we are stepping through the portal to the next level

This is Stoic Level Up with The Female Stoic!

And remember: Our commitment must outlast our convenience, because focus is the most valuable asset we possess