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)