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J. William T. "Bill" Youngs, Eleanor Roosevelt: A Personal and Public Life, Chapter Nine
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"The Funeral Procession of FDR" courtesy of the Wiki Commons
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Somehow or other, human beings must get a feeling that there is in life a spring, a spring which flows for all humanity, perhaps like the old legendary spring from which men drew eternal youth. This spring must fortify the soul and give people a vital reason for wanting to meet the problems of the world today, and to meet them in a way which will make life more worth living for everyone. It must be a source of social inspiration and faith.
-Eleanor Roosevelt, The Moral Basis of Democracy
-Eleanor Roosevelt, The Moral Basis of Democracy
Chapter 9: The Democratic Crusade
"Eleanor Roosevelt during WWII" courtesy of the Wiki Commons
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SummaryAs World War Two breaks out in Europe, Eleanor Roosevelt has already served two full terms as First Lady. The war is their greatest challenge, and it provides Eleanor new ways to help the needy. This chapter follows her through WWII up to Franklin's death.
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Author reads from the Text
With such austere thoughts Eleanor, no longer first lady, sought to summarize and comprehend her four decades with Franklin Roosevelt. They had been the closest of colleagues and the most distant of antagonists. To the end each had hoped for a warmer relationship with the other. Shortly before his death Franklin told Elliott that he wished he could get to know Eleanor better - but she was so busy it was hard to be with her. Eleanor's enduring affection for Franklin was apparent in her sorrow at learning that he was seeing Lucy again. No one word seems to describe their complex relationship: neither love, nor hostility, nor admiration, nor annoyance was the all-encompassing ingredient of their life together.
As the train carrying Franklin's body moved north, Eleanor stared out the window at the darkened countryside Franklin had loved. She could not fully comprehend on this night her years with Franklin or what the future would hold for her or the nation. She only knew that "something was coming to an end and something new was beginning." For other Americans, too - for the millions who had been inspired by Eleanor and Franklin's vision of a just society - something had ended.
As the train carrying Franklin's body moved north, Eleanor stared out the window at the darkened countryside Franklin had loved. She could not fully comprehend on this night her years with Franklin or what the future would hold for her or the nation. She only knew that "something was coming to an end and something new was beginning." For other Americans, too - for the millions who had been inspired by Eleanor and Franklin's vision of a just society - something had ended.