Summary of the Chapter "The Potent Wizard" from "The Origins of Totalitarianism" by Hannah Arendt
This chapter revolves around Benjamin Disraeli, who is portrayed as a very ambitious politician and was characterized by luck and fortune. He did not know the feeling of déclassé, and thus, he expressed his being a Jew through every aspect possible. He rose through the political ladder in London despite his family being not born in England. He had an excellent and deep understanding of society, as demonstrated in his saying, 'What is a crime among the multitude is only a vice among the few' (p.89), which could be used as an indication of the rise of the Mafia and Mob of the 19th century.
Another factor contributing to his success was his ability to 'absolute sincerity and unreserved' (p.90). He was born an Englishman, and England admired his Jewish history because Jews who had settled in the 18th century were educated and wealthy. Therefore, Disraeli embraced his Jewish roots as it made him a 'chosen man of the chosen race' and him being English as it was an excellent opportunity for him to pursue his political aspirations. Therefore, it was a major achievement for him to be elected a member of the 'Grillion's dining club' (p.91), and the ultimate achievement was a sincere friendship with the Queen.
Disraeli was generally popular and favored, and this is attributed to his greatest achievement that 'nobody said in private that would not have flattered and pleased him if it had been said in public' (p. 92). His success associating with Lord Robert Cecil and his ambition corresponded to Carlyle's heroes. However, his ambition and desire to distinguished longing for the aristocratic society were not unordinary of the
Reference
Arendt, H. (1951). The origins of totalitarianism. New York: Harcourt, Brace, and Company. Pp. xv - 477.
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