JONATHAN TO JOHN by James Russell Lowell: Summary, Meaning & Analysis
During the American Civil War, Britain quietly supported the Confederate South by providing weapons.
The poem
It don't seem hardly right, John, When both my hands was full, To stump me to a fight, John,-- Your cousin, tu, John Bull! Ole Uncle S. sez he, 'I guess We know it now,' sez he, 'The lion's paw is all the law, Accordin' to J.B., Thet's fit for you an' me!' 9 You wonder why we're hot, John? Your mark wuz on the guns, The neutral guns, thet shot, John, Our brothers an' our sons: Ole Uncle S. sez he, 'I guess There's human blood,' sez he, 'By fits an' starts, in Yankee hearts, Though't may surprise J.B. More 'n it would you an' me.' Ef _I_ turned mad dogs loose, John, On _your_ front-parlor stairs, 20 Would it jest meet your views, John, To wait an' sue their heirs? Ole Uncle S. sez he, 'I guess, I on'y guess,' sez he, 'Thet ef Vattel on _his_ toes fell, 'Twould kind o' rile J.B., Ez wal ez you an' me!' Who made the law thet hurts, John, _Heads I win,--ditto tails?_ 'J.B.' was on his shirts, John, 30 Onless my memory fails. Ole Uncle S. sez he, 'I guess (I'm good at thet),' sez he, 'Thet sauce for goose ain't _jest_ the juice For ganders with J.B., No more 'n with you or me!' When your rights was our wrongs, John, You didn't stop for fuss,-- Britanny's trident prongs, John, Was good 'nough law for us. 40 Ole Uncle S. sez he, 'I guess, Though physic's good,' sez he, 'It doesn't foller thet he can swaller Prescriptions signed "J.B.," Put up by you an' me!' We own the ocean, tu, John: You mus'n' take it hard, Ef we can't think with you, John, It's jest your own back-yard. 49 Ole Uncle S. sez he, 'I guess, Ef _thet's_ his claim,' sez he, 'The fencin' stuff'll cost enough To bust up friend J.B., Ez wal ez you an' me!' Why talk so dreffle big, John, Of honor when it meant You didn't care a fig, John, But jest for _ten per cent?_ Ole Uncle S. sez he, 'I guess He's like the rest,' sez he: 60 'When all is done, it's number one Thet's nearest to J.B., Ez wal ez t' you an' me!' We give the critters back, John, Cos Abram thought 'twas right; It warn't your bullyin' clack, John, Provokin' us to fight. Ole Uncle S. sez he, 'I guess We've a hard row,' sez he, 'To hoe jest now; but thet, somehow, 70 May happen to J.B., Ez wal ez you an' me!' We ain't so weak an' poor, John, With twenty million people. An' close to every door, John, A school-house an' a steeple. Ole Uncle S. sez he, 'I guess, It is a fact,' sez he, 'The surest plan to make a Man Is, think him so, J.B., 80 Ez much ez you or me!' Our folks believe in Law, John; An' it's for her sake, now, They've left the axe an' saw, John, The anvil an' the plough. Ole Uncle S. sez he, 'I guess, Ef 'twarn't for law,' sez he, 'There'd be one shindy from here to Indy; An' thet don't suit J.B. (When't ain't 'twixt you an' me!) 90 We know we've got a cause, John, Thet's honest, just, an' true; We thought 'twould win applause, John, Ef nowheres else, from you. Ole Uncle S. sez he, 'I guess His love of right,' sez he, 'Hangs by a rotten fibre o' cotton: There's natur' in J.B., Ez wal 'z in you an' me!' The South says, '_Poor folks down!_' John, 100 An' '_All men up!_' say we,-- White, yaller, black, an' brown, John: Now which is your idee? Ole Uncle S. sez he, 'I guess, John preaches wal,' sez he; 'But, sermon thru, an' come to _du_, Why, there's the old J.B. A-crowdin' you an' me!' Shall it be love, or hate, John? It's you thet's to decide; 110 Ain't _your_ bonds held by Fate, John, Like all the world's beside? Ole Uncle S. sez he, 'I guess Wise men forgive,' sez he, 'But not forgit; an' some time yit Thet truth may strike J.B., Ez wal ez you an' me!' God means to make this land, John, Clear thru, from sea to sea, Believe an' understand, John, 120 The _wuth_ o' bein' free. Ole Uncle S. sez he, 'I guess, God's price is high,' sez he; 'But nothin' else than wut He sells Wears long, an' thet J.B. May larn, like you an' me!' No. III
During the American Civil War, Britain quietly supported the Confederate South by providing weapons. This poem features the Union (represented by Jonathan/Uncle Sam) confronting Britain (symbolized by John Bull) for its hypocrisy. Lowell uses a strong Yankee dialect to portray the speaker as a regular American—simple, frustrated, and unapologetic. The main point is clear: you talk about freedom and fairness, but when money is on the line, you choose the side that benefits you financially.
Line-by-line
It don't seem hardly right, John, / When both my hands was full,
You wonder why we're hot, John? / Your mark wuz on the guns,
Ef _I_ turned mad dogs loose, John, / On _your_ front-parlor stairs,
Who made the law thet hurts, John, / _Heads I win,--ditto tails?_
When your rights was our wrongs, John, / You didn't stop for fuss,--
We own the ocean, tu, John: / You mus'n' take it hard,
Why talk so dreffle big, John, / Of honor when it meant
We give the critters back, John, / Cos Abram thought 'twas right;
We ain't so weak an' poor, John, / With twenty million people.
Our folks believe in Law, John; / An' it's for her sake, now,
We know we've got a cause, John, / Thet's honest, just, an' true;
The South says, '_Poor folks down!_' John, / An' '_All men up!_' say we,--
Shall it be love, or hate, John? / It's you thet's to decide;
God means to make this land, John, / Clear thru, from sea to sea,
Tone & mood
The tone is confrontational yet measured — imagine a neighbor who's been patient for a long time and has finally chosen to express his thoughts clearly and unapologetically. The Yankee dialect adds an earthy, down-to-earth quality that makes the sharp political arguments hit harder than they would in more formal writing. Beneath the surface, there's real anger, but also a sense of dry humor, wounded pride, and ultimately, a heartfelt plea for the two nations to treat each other better.
Symbols & metaphors
- John Bull (J.B.) — The traditional personification of Britain is used here as both a well-known nickname and a target. Referring to Britain as "John" makes it personal and direct—this feels like one cousin talking to another, rather than a formal diplomatic protest.
- Jonathan / Uncle Sam — Jonathan embodies the straightforward, down-to-earth American, while Uncle Sam symbolizes the collective wisdom of the nation. Together, they reflect the Union — everyday people and their government united in a shared message.
- The neutral guns — British-made weapons were sold to the Confederacy while Britain maintained a stance of neutrality. This illustrates the disconnect between Britain's proclaimed principles and its actual actions—using neutrality as a mere cover for profit.
- The rotten fibre o' cotton — Cotton ties Britain's economy to the legacy of Southern slavery. The notion of a "rotten fibre" propping up Britain's supposed commitment to righteousness illustrates just how deeply commercial interests have tainted British moral reasoning.
- The schoolhouse an' the steeple — Education and religion are present at every American door. They form the foundations of a self-governing democratic society — the elements that empower twenty million ordinary people to make a real difference.
- God's price — The true cost of genuine freedom involves war, sacrifice, and upheaval. The belief is that freedom obtained at a low price doesn't endure, and the pain experienced during the Civil War represents the true cost of authentic freedom.
Historical context
Lowell published this poem in 1862 as part of his *Biglow Papers, Second Series*, a collection of dialect verse that responds to the Civil War. The poem was prompted by the Trent Affair in November 1861, when a Union warship boarded a British ship and took two Confederate diplomats, which almost led Britain to side with the Confederacy. Although Britain had declared neutrality, it was still allowing Confederate commerce raiders to be built in its shipyards and relied heavily on Southern cotton for its textile industry. Many in the Union felt let down—Britain had abolished slavery in its empire back in 1833 and was viewed as a natural ally against the slaveholding Confederacy. By using the Yankee dialect of his fictional farmer Hosea Biglow, Lowell aimed to present his political argument as common sense rather than just the opinion of the elite, a technique he first employed during the Mexican-American War in the First Series in 1848.
FAQ
Jonathan is a classic nickname for the typical American — the Yankee everyman — while John Bull represents Britain in a well-established way. Lowell presents the entire poem as one cousin speaking directly to another, maintaining a personal tone that breaks through any diplomatic formality.
In November 1861, a Union naval officer intercepted the British mail ship *Trent* and forcibly took two Confederate diplomats, Mason and Slidell. This action prompted Britain to threaten war. Ultimately, Lincoln's government decided to release the men. Lowell argues that America made this choice because Lincoln believed it was the right thing to do, not because they were intimidated by Britain.
Lowell created a fictional Yankee farmer named Hosea Biglow to speak in the *Biglow Papers*. The dialect indicates that this represents straightforward American common sense rather than the views of educated elites. It also makes the political arguments feel more immediate and less easy to dismiss as mere abstract theorizing.
It suggests that Britain's professed commitment to freedom and justice is tenuous at best — and that tenuousness is rooted in cotton. The Southern economy relied on cotton produced by enslaved people, which fueled British textile mills. Lowell argues that Britain's moral position crumbled as soon as its economic interests were at risk.
Emer de Vattel was an 18th-century Swiss legal theorist known for his influential writings on international law, which were often referenced to support maritime regulations. Lowell argues that Britain developed and utilized these legal frameworks when they aligned with its interests but would protest loudly if others tried to apply the same rules against Britain.
The twelfth stanza clearly states that the Confederacy represents the oppression of poor and non-white individuals, while the Union is about elevating all people — "white, yaller, black, an' brown." Lowell contends that the war is a struggle for universal human equality, and Britain's refusal to support it is a moral failure.
Both. The anger is genuine and pointed, yet the second-to-last stanza poses a direct question: "Shall it be love, or hate, John?" placing the decision squarely in Britain's hands. Uncle Sam suggests that wise men forgive, but they certainly don't forget. The poem confronts, but it ultimately becomes an appeal.
Lowell argues that true, enduring freedom comes with a significant cost — specifically, the bloodshed and suffering endured during the Civil War. He emphasizes that things obtained too easily tend to be fleeting. The final line broadens this lesson to include Britain: this understanding of the price of freedom applies universally, affecting everyone, not just Americans.