When I first heard that Thomas Jefferson most likely had Asperger's syndrome I was astounded. How could he be President with such a disease? I wasn't too familiar with this disorder, however, I did know something about autism. Upon further research into the subject I found more interesting facts beyond just the symptoms of Asperger's. Did you know that Mozart, Marie Curie, and Albert Einstein were all thought to have Asperger's? Who would have thought!!
One of the major criteria of Asperger's is poor social interaction. In order to be a successful President, one must interact with people from all types of backgrounds. Presidents must meet with other leaders, sick and healthy, rich and poor, educated and uneducated, and many more if he wants to ensure the prosperity of the country. Presidents also deliver many speeches that apply to the public, both before and during Presidency. As we learned in class, Jefferson was not a strong orator and out of touch with society. It is surprising to me that he was even considered in the Presidential race. If he was unable to address the public and interact in society, what made him stand out as a leader?
Jefferson's strength was in writing, as we learned from this week's readings. Although I am not in agreement with his opinions, it is clear to see that he was talented in this area. Jefferson repeatedly contradicts himself, so it is hard to determine his official opinion. In his description of colored people, he notes that they sweat and smell, and their wild imaginations tend to make them less serious.
"They secrete less by the kidnies, and more by the glands of the skin, which gives them a very strong and disagreeable odour." (p.48)
"Religion indeed has produced a Phyllis Whately; but it could not produce a poet. The compositions published under her name are below the dignity of criticism."(p. 49)
Jefferson is condescending in his descriptions. Instead of saying in a blunt fashion, he adds a poetic touch. As part of Jefferson's disorder, I don't think he realized the meaning behind his observations. He was so far out of touch with society that he didn't realize that it was slave owners, like himself, that caused the black people to have a "disagreeable odour." Slaves were forced to work in hot conditions, of course they were going to sweat! I also think that his prejudices against black people caused his opinions about Phyllis Wheately (he didn't even spell her name right to begin with!) Her poetry has left its mark in history, so her writings must have been worth the criticism.
Thomas Jefferson has definitely had an impact on United States history. Something about him made him memorable as a President. His writing was most definitely his strong point as he leaves behind a great document in American history: The Declaration of Independence.
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5 comments:
Excellent post, Shannon. You really seem interested in the topic and thank you for looking into the disorder for us. It is definitely interesting to see who else had Asperger's syndrome. I think you are also correct in noting that Jefferson's piece is contradictory. As we discussed in class, I gather this is going to be a theme that comes up quite a bit with southern writers as well as the general feeling of the south.
I honestly have to agree with you. Learning that Jefferson quite possibly have Asperger’s was mind boggling because he was this great man that wrote the Declaration of Independence, that ruled our country as the third president and he didn’t have to ability to interact socially with people because his brain couldn’t understand it. I find that his piece is contradictory because he was a victim to the syndrome that he suffered from. He couldn’t make the choices that were offered to him on his own because he wouldn’t have been able to understand them. It makes you think that maybe there were other great leaders out there that had Asperger’s or something very similar to it. And I have to say that I am not surprise to learn that Mozart, Marie Curie and Albert Einstein could also have had this syndrome themselves.
I really found your post interesting. Being a music major I would have thought I would have known that Mozart had such a disorder. From how they portray him in movies like Amadeus, he always seems to have very strong social skills. I guess that goes right back to how movies alter history like Disney and John Smith.
I also think it is really intresting that he had Aspergers Disease. Its a mystery how much it influenced his presidency and general outlook on life. He certainly worked hard to blend in with the general population, owning slaves because he had to rather than wanting to, conforming in general is a scary trait when he was a president. He needs to be a leader and not a follower.
I think that you point out an important point. How did Thomas Jefferson become President with being a good public speaker? What we have seen in presidential election may have been much different then what it was. I also found him to be contradicting and who trust someone who is contradicting. Who knows?
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