How to live to be 200
(Stephen Leacock)
GENERAL INTRODUCTION: -
“How
to Live to be 200” is humorous, exaggerated, satirical and advisable essay by
Stephen Leacock. He is famous Canadian political scientist, historian and
humourist. His stories are mostly a criticism of foolish habits and behavior of
the contemporary society. In this essay, his style is both humorous and
satirical.
MAIN IDEA OF
THE STORY: - (Theme)
This
essay, as the very title of it indicates, is a humorous and highly exaggerated
essay, as it is almost impossible to enjoy an age of 200 years in the present
times. In it, the writer has pointed out the human complexes about health in
form of Mr. Jiggins, who is suffering from health mania. Inspite of taking hard
exercises regularly; he died in his youth and could not see his old age. In
fact, the purpose of the writer is to correct the follies and thoughts of such
people, especially young men of today who leave no stone unturned to keep them
fit and live long.
SUMMARY:
-
The essay is about a funny character, Mr.
Jiggins who was a health maniac. He had divided his 24 hours in such a way that
most of his time was allocated to exercise. He used to take a clod bath to open
his pores, and hot bath to close them. Before going to office, he used to
breathe at an open window without undershirt in the severe cold to expand his
lungs. Then the used to take sandow exercise by fastening himself like a dog in
harness. In his office, he would lie on stomach on the floor and lift himself
up with his knuckles. In the evening he would lift iron bars and dumbbells, and
haul himself up to the ceiling. He walked in his room for half the night before
sleeping to calm down his brain. Moreover, he was extra-cautious in the matter
of food. All these exercises and routine of Mr. Jiggins are an act of
exaggeration and sheer, obsession. Inspite of all these exercises and care
about different foods, he suffered from a common disease and died of it.
Through the example of Mr.
Jiggins, the writer laughs on the modern young generation who are suffering
from strange “Health Habits”. Some people become obsessed on seeing others
doing some specific task. But the inner-self and personal inclinations play the
main role in copying others. The writer says about such people. “They are
ridden by the health Mania. They make themselves a nuisance.” They get up at
early down, run long distances, walk barefoot on the cold dewdrops, and seek
for fresh oxygen. They avoid meat for having much nitrogen, and ignore fruit
for not having much nitrogen. All the time, they are afraid of germs. Even then
they die young like Jiggins
However, after going through the
character of Mr. Jiggins, the question arises: which is more important, to
enjoy life’s pleasure or to sacrifice some of them to keep physically fit? It
is well side: “Health is wealth”. If we have good health, we can get full
mental and spiritual gratification. But the thinks, which is dangerous in this
regard, is the overindulgence in the physical activities. If a person thinks al
his 24 hours about his health, he is deprived of many pleasures of life.
However, to counteract against health mania, Stephen Leacock humorously gives
his own suggestions. According to him, a man should neither indulge in overuse
nor reject anything; rather should have a balance. He should get up after
enjoying sound sleep; not worry about fresh air; take reasonable amount of
exercise; and should eat what he likes without worrying for starch or nitrogen.
If he wants to have to have them, he should better buy them from the market. He
should not worry about germs and bacteria, as we have neither time nor
instruments to remove them. According to Leacock, exercise, fresh air, good
food and cold baths are not the basis of long life. We enjoy life if we are
keeping a balance between the material and spiritual needs of our body. Neither
of the two can be sacrificed on the other. Hence, unlike the maniac, we should
divert our attention away from our body-care and attend the enjoyment of life
like a carefree person. We should remember that the more we enjoy the joys of
life, the more we will become healthy
CONCLUSION:
-
To conclude, we can say
that the whole essay is a fine example of exaggeration in a humorously ironic
style. The writer has used such an exaggeration to ridicule the health
obsession of modern people who indulge themselves in heavy physical exercises
to live long. In fact, it is worry about health that us of many pleasures of
life. So, he disagrees with Jiggins and suggests candidly that there should be
a balance between life’s pleasures and exercises to live for 200 years.
TEXTUAL QUESTIONS
Q-1. Leacock
uses exaggeration in the title of his essay. Where does he use exaggeration and
why?
ANS: - G. Int. + theme + Summary Paragraph (1) +
Conclusion
Q-2. Leacock
describes a health maniac as an obsessed person. How do people become obsessed?
Are obsessions always bad?
ANS: - G. Int. + Summary Paragraph (1 + 2) +
Obsessions are not always bad;
rather “Excess of everything is bad”. Sometimes the obsession of an idea works
wonders and solves the most difficult problems. Newton was obsessed with the
problem of falling apple and, at last, he gave “The gravitational Theory” and
“The Laws of Motion”. Similarly, Archimedes was obsessed with the idea of pure
gold and he got it. Many other examples may be given in this regard. In fact,
the present scientific progress is the result of many obsessions. In fact, it
is over-obsession that is harmful; hence, it should be avoided. In short, one
should have a balance in every act of one’s life.
Q-3. where is
more important, to enjoy life’s pleasures or to sacrifice some of them to keep physically fit. Are
these two goals necessarily incompatible?
ANS: - Theme + summary + Paragraph (3)
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