Liberty Bell?

Question

How would James Scott view and interpret the Liberty Bell in light of his argument that states attempt to make citizens and landscape “legible”?

Answer 1

"Legible," eh? Well, let's see.

The Liberty Bell was originally ordered to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Pennsylvania colony, and began its life as merely the statehouse bell (I won't go into the structural flaws that led to the bell's recasting).

I suppose it got the nickname "Liberty Bell" from both the inscription on it, ". . . proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants . . . " (Lev. 23:10, NIV), as well as from the fact that it was rung to proclaim American independence.

It's certainly one of the most cherished symbols of the nation. In the Revolutionary War, it was moved from Philadelphia to Allentown, but not quite for the sentimental reasons one might think. Yes, it was removed to keep it from the British, but mainly for concern that they'd melt it down for bullets--and if anyone was going to melt the Liberty Bell for bullets, it was definitely the Americans!

Hope this sheds some light on your question.

Answer 2

The Liberty Bell, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is an American bell of great historic significance. The Liberty Bell is perhaps one of the most prominent symbols associated with the American Revolution and the American Revolutionary War. It is one of the most familiar symbols of independence, nationhood and freedom within the United States, and has been used as an international icon of liberty.
Its most famous ringing, on July 8, 1776, summoned citizens of Philadelphia for the reading of the Declaration of Independence. Previously, it had been rung to announce the opening of the First Continental Congress in 1774 and after the Battle of Lexington and Concord in 1775.
The Liberty Bell was known as the "Old State House bell" until 1837, when it was adopted by the American Anti-Slavery Society as a symbol of the abolitionist movement.
The inscription on the Liberty Bell reads as follows:
PROCLAIM LIBERTY THROUGHOUT ALL THE LAND UNTO ALL THE INHABITANTS THEREOF LEV. XXV X.
BY ORDER OF THE ASSEMBLY OF THE PROVINCE OF PENSYLVANIA FOR THE STATE HOUSE IN PHILADA
PASS AND STOW
PHILADA
MDCCLIII
The source of the inscription is Leviticus 25:10, which reads "And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof: it shall be a jubile unto you; and ye shall return every man unto his possession, and ye shall return every man unto his family." The inscription was intended to mark the 50th anniversary of William Penn's Charter of Privileges of 1701.

Answer 3

what?