G.K.

Chesterton

G.K. Chesterton was the best writers of the twentieth century. He was a critic, novelist and a poet but he
was an essayist also. He began his career as a journalist and to write weekly articles for newspapers and
magazines. He became a reputed figure in the Daily News. He used to sit in Fleet Street café and write his
articles and essays with the help of his imaginative and intellectual power. Chesterton possessed some
literary implements in which mainly he used to use wit and paradoxical arrows to win and with these
weapons, he smartly dealt his duty. His quizzical humor, stylish use of wit, delightful mental creativity like
a gymnastic which were in paradoxical and epigrammatical way and his whole-heartedly defensive
manner for old, cheerful romantics are the things which regard his writing style and spill different from
any other contemporaries of his time. G.K. Chesterton easily can handled with literary and social criticism,
history, politics, economics, philosophy and theology. There are so many essays and columns which are
cherished in the form of books and the collections, titles are like: All Things considered, All is Grist. He
spent a month of 1927 in Poland and then two years later, he visited Rome and resulted in “The
Resurrection of Rome” (1930). His more successful books of that period were „The Thing‟ (1929), a
Catholic Essay and two volumes of general essays, „Come to think of it‟ (1930) and „All is Grist‟ (1931).
He disclosed the antithesis, identities, distinctions and absurdness. He argued with the help of examples
and Anecdotes. He wrote on the qualitative facts, knowing the habits of people to be a reporter, he did
not forget what his eyes had seen at the first time. He shows his ideas in natural way without any kind of
artificial polish. His essays have also possessed the touch of humor. In the essay, “A Piece of Chalk” when
the lady offered him with nose paper, supposing that he would not like his notes on old brown paper
wrappers having the nation of economical aspect. In his thought, the pocket-knife is also a kind of tool
used by human being for their purposes. He says, A knife is a baby of a sword. There is a fine example of
his humoristic style when he says that to write on those things which he has possessed in his pocket is not
an easy task because it would be too long to write and writing of those things would be turn into an epic
and it would be the great epic for the future. It would be a matter of great fun for the readers whenever
he will be introduced by him about that things which he kept in his pocket. In fact, this thought of writer
is humorous and interesting and all of these various shades and thoughts are reflected in his style. On
Running after One’s Hat It is a skillful effort.

The essay shows psychological situation and status of human being. Everything has its own faces but it
depends on us how we take them because everyone has his own view point and attitude driven by the
different circumstances. In this essay, the writer tries to express his view through examples. The small
things as running, driving to open any jammed drawer, to wait for a train are common but irritating events
amongst people. However, it can be made simpler and enjoyable to keep ourselves cheerful and delighted.
To chase a ball or to chase a hat is not a different sport we regard to chase a ball as a good sport, while
we thing to chase a hat is funniest game. The plot of the story is tightly woven and the arrangements of
the events according to the movement of story is really remarkable. Our reaction towards the things made
them positive and negative. However, London was girdled by the water, yet writer was trying to enjoy
that moment to keep himself calm and by this method he wants to say that peace of mind made our
decision more effective rather than aggressive mind. The writer has not raised any single character in this
essay. He has shown the full picture of the society. His language is very simple and leaves an impression
on our mind and compel to think about the problems of the society. He raises a question and answers
himself. He says that our thoughts made the events adventurous and inconvenient but it depends on us
how we take it. The theme of this essay deals with the social problem; connecting personal life of people.
As the story begin we come to know that London is struggling with the problem of flood but writer
visualizes the whole scene in a poetical method and then throw light on the small problem with this
example. After every para, he presents a new incident and connects it with main story after a short while
by using simple and familiar examples of every common man. He has used figures of speeches too, to
clarify his statements as: “Redlight and green light on the signal are like a new sun and a new moon.” “As
if a great king had thrown down his staff as a signal and started a shrieking tournament of trains.” His
humoristic style to dictate the event is appraisable; “Their meditations may be full of Rich and fruitful
things. Many of the most purple hours of my life have been passed at Clapham Junction.” He not only
leaves to think the people what he wants to say; but he also clarifies his concept in these words; “As I
have said, everything depends upon the emotional point of view.” He gives a psychological and moral
support to deal with our problems. Every examples glimpses a solution to face bravely our problems
without losing our temper. The title of the essay is also appropriate and justify the story line. As we run
after our problems and think that it is Right to do so. We chase for that thing in our life which is quite
necessary. But our psychological satisfaction in it and we again and again follow this sequence as a runner
runs, as a bowler runs without thinking another idea in our mind.

On Running After One’s Hat by G.K. Chesterton

In On Running After One’s Hat by G.K. Chesterton we have the theme of escape, embarrassment and
acceptance. Taken from his On Running After One’s Hat and Other Whimsies collection the reader realises
after reading the essay that Chesterton may be exploring the theme of escape. For Chesterton it is easier
to imagine himself acting as a child might do when it comes to matters of inconvenience. He believes that
a person will be happier should they change their outlook or view life through the lens of a child when
encountering inconvenience. Not only will an individual remain calm but they will treat each
inconvenience as an adventure. Just as a child might. Chesterton using the young boy at the train station
as an example. The boy does not frown upon the fact that train is late. Rather he sees everything at the
station as being wonderfully exciting. Though Chesterton may have a point it might be important to
remember that many people will encounter difficulty looking at life through the lens of a child.
Embarrassment will overtake them and they will feel isolated from the world. As many people who have
chased their hats might feel.

It is this embarrassment that an individual feels which will stop an individual chasing their hat as they
know that those onlookers who notice what is happening are laughing at the individual rather than with
them. Something that Chesterton does not mention in the essay. For Chesterton life is simply better when
society drops its guard and allows for the individual to be themselves without being overtly criticized by
society. However the reality in life is very much different. Society likes to laugh at the mishaps that occur
in an individual’s life. It helps society to deflect away from its own problems or worries. It is easier to
laugh at another person than to reflect on one’s own misfortunes. Something that will not change
regardless of Chesterton’s assertion that it is good to laugh at a man chasing a hat. One point in whereby
Chesterton might be right is on the matter of men chasing after women. Though this in itself may be
deemed by some to be ridiculous. It is nonetheless acceptable to society. So as such it does not merit the
same attention for others. People will notice a man chasing his hat quicker than they will notice a man
chasing a woman down the street.

Chesterton may also be suggesting that society should look closer at itself and realign itself with his train
of thought. Which would be a romantic view on life that is not necessarily productive. Taking the flooding
in London as an example. For Chesterton there is a degree of excitement. However for those who live in
London. The flooding of their homes may be something that could be considered detrimental and costly.
That is if an individual has the necessary funds to refurbish and redecorate their home. For some rather
than the flooding being romantic it could lead to homelessness and poverty. Chesterton is looking at life
through tinted glasses and not really being honest with the reader. Flooding causes tremendous damage
and hardship for some and it is difficult to look at the devastation that flooding causes as being an
adventure to be enjoyed. It is also interesting that Chesterton is able to split himself into two separate
camps. The outlook of a child and the outlook of an adult. Though the reader is left wondering as to what
might trigger Chesterton to view life through the eyes of an adult.

If anything Chesterton simplifies situations in order to maintain a romantic view on life. Something which
may leave some readers to suggest that Chesterton is simply wrong on his outlook. Life itself is not a
simple matter and is in fact complicated by man himself. On the other hand Chesterton’s outlook does
have some validity and may be of benefit to people. Life can be much simpler and less annoying should an
individual be positive in their outlook regardless of the mishaps they may incur. A positive mind will
rectify a negative situation quicker than a negative mind will. In reality a person with a positive mind is
difficult to defeat. Although maintaining positivity when facing negativity can be difficult. Something that
Chesterton does not admit to nor does he see it as being important. For Chesterton positivity is something
that an individual can immediately switch on. The case of Chesterton’s friend and the drawer being an
example. Chesterton simply isn’t being practical though his romantic view on life is admirable. However
as mentioned Chesterton may be looking at things through tinted glasses or from a distance. He himself
has not mentioned as to whether he struggles when it comes to admitting to running after his hat.
Chesterton has chosen to look outward rather than inward. Something that society itself does.