PROSE

1.3 SOCIETY
ON THE RULE OF THE ROAD | A. G. GARDINER

SUMMARY:

An old lady was walking carelessly in the middle of the road, and when told that she should walk on
the pavement, she responds that because she has liberty, she has the power to do anything she likes.
However, if that were true, then the world would be chaos. Anarchy would exist over liberty because if
everyone was free to do as they pleased, nobody would have any kind of protection. So, it is essential
to not lose ourselves in the concept of liberty and understand what the rule of the road is.

A policeman enforcing the laws of the land, or more specifically, the rules of the road, is a symbol
of freedom, not a symbol of dictatorship. One may believe that such law enforcement is infringing on
their freedom, but a reasonable person will also understand that law enforcement is what allows a
semblance of order to exist in the world, which in turn supports true liberty. We can see that liberty is
a social contract, an acceptance of everyone’s needs and an accommodation of them.

However, when what one does is unrelated to anyone else’s liberty, then there are no restrictions to
worry about. The way you choose to dress, or the style in which you choose to portray yourself, or when
you sleep, wake up, eat, bathe, and what religion you follow are completely irrelevant with regard to
another person’s liberty, and so does not require any sort of regulation. Yet, once this lack of regulation
impinges upon someone else’s freedom, that is where the line of your restriction -less liberty ends. If
you want to learn to play the trombone, it’s completely up to you, and you do not require anyone’s say-
so. If you practice that trombone in the wee hours of the morning, thereby disturbing family and
neighbours, then there is a problem. It is easy to point out the mistakes of others when they infringe
upon our liberty, but not as easy for us to be conscious of not infringing upon theirs. A civilized person
will be civilized in matters both big and small. They will follow the rules of the road, and the y contribute
to the little things that make life for everyone that much sweeter. Consideration for one another
is integral to real liberty.

ANALYSIS:

In this text, a single example is used as a thread throughout the essay, that is, the titular “ Rule of the
Road”. This single example is used to explain liberty, and it is a metaphor for all the regulations that
exist to protect one’s liberty. This seemingly insignificant rule or example has a big impact in the big
picture, as it represents the little things each person must adhere to in order to support the structure of
life.
Liberty exists when a person is free from oppression from authority and free from restrictions imposed
on their behaviour, political views, decisions, and so on. It gives people the power to act as they want
to, and this is how they become “liberty-drunk”. People reach a point of not being able to relinquish
their freedom, even at the cost of someone else’s freedom. Liberty for the civilized is a willingness to
restrain or restrict themselves out of consideration for the comfort and needs of another
person. Anarchy exists when there is an absence, or ignorance, of rules or controls. It is a political ideal
of absolute freedom of every individual, without a care for the needs of others. It is, colloquially, a state
of confusion due to the absence of any regulation.
The mention of “social contract” is in reference to the Social Contract Theory by philosopher John
Locke. This theory contains the idea that people in a society live together with the mutual agreement of
certain rules or regulations that will be followed. It shows that people themselves decide to live under
a moral and political rule that has been reasonably set and thus form a society. Liberty is a social contract
because liberty for everyone requires restraint from everyone, and this is an agreement between all the
people in society to curtail their individual liberty in the interest of mass liberty.
The essay begins with an anecdote, and it is one that easily sums up the content that follows it. In this
anecdote, the woman’s idea of freedom did not seem to include the fact that people on the road have
the same liberty to drive straight into her, because she was on a public road. The cars on the road are
respecting her liberty to be alive and unhurt, while she disrespects their liberty to have a safe and
peaceful drive. Liberty in society requires mutual respect, and thus this example is used by the author
to show us why the consideration of others is so integral to community liberty. “Petrograd” is the old
name for St. Petersburg, which is a city in Russia. The anecdote about the woman is set in Russia.
The two main concepts of liberty have been laid out in this essay, that is, individual liberty and
community liberty. The author uses several examples of personal liberty and ends with the example of
playing the trombone. The trombone example is used to show how the illusion of individual liberty can
interfere with community liberty. As the saying goes, your freedom ends where my nose begins. The
personal liberty of one person can never infringe upon the personal liberty of another. Any overlap
requires consideration for each other and regulation of each one’s individual liberty. The willingness to
participate freely in a society without feeling the need to be chaotic is the hallmark of a civilized human
in a liberalized world. A “Maelstrom” is a state of confusion or chaos. The lack of regulation will lead
to this sort of violet turmoil that is inescapable.
The crux of this essay is that a truly liberal world requires that people be considerate of each other. This
requires that each person determines the impact of their actions on others, and on society as a whole.
The point is not to look out at others and see their shortfalls, but to look within and resolve our own.
This essay reinforces this as it begins with the recognition of another person’s mistakes and ends with
the assertion that it is simple to see where others fall, but difficult to recognize our own inadequacies.
Liberty in society requires the sacrifice of individual desires to support the greater good. Consideration
for other people and sacrifice of one’s own liberty go hand in hand, and the compromises and
agreements that the population accepts becomes the social norm and the expected behaviour.
Little drops of water make the mighty ocean, as Julia Carney says. In this context, it is the little changes
that people make that provide freedom for everyone. It is not commonplace for a person to have an
opportunity to undertake an immense or heroic sacrifice for the freedom of the general population, but
the little everyday sacrifices that people cumulate into a sweeter life for all involved.
In this essay, when speaking about the freedom to play the trombone, the author saying “ If I went to
the top of Everest” is the usage of hyperbole. It is a wild exaggeration in order to get the point across,
and also adds a slight comedic effect

“It means that in order that the liberties of all may be preserved, the liberties of everybody must be
curtailed” is an oxymoronic statement that catches the attention of the reader by its perceived
contradiction. However, this contradiction is resolved through the explanations of the story.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A.G. Gardiner, or Alfred George Gardiner, was born on 2 June 1865, in Essex, England.

He was well known as an author, journalist, and editor who wrote and published several essays that are
recognized for their quality and content. In 1902, he became the editor of the Daily News, and under
him, it grew into one of the most popular liberal journals. He also published essays under the pseudonym
“Alpha of the Ploughs”.

His writing style is simple, graceful, and humorous, and is characterized by his ability to pass on basic
truths in a comedic way. He was an activist for a minimum wage in industry and chaired the “ National
Anti-Sweating League”, an advocacy group for this campaign.

Some of his notable works are “Pebbles on the Shore” and “The Variety of Old Age”

He died on 3 March 1946, in Buckingham, England.

ANSWER EACH OF THE FOLLOWING IN A PARAGRAPH

a) What do you infer from Gardiner’s essay ‘On the rule of the Road'?

According to Gardiner, “on the rule of the road” means the liberties of everyone may be maintained and
the liberties of everybody must be reduced. Individual liberty should be curtailed because it may affect
public liberty. When a reasonable person’s actions affect other persons’ liberty, he would have
submitted to a curtailment of private liberty in order that he might enjoy the social order. The author
says liberty is not a personal affair. It is a social commitment. It should not touch the others’ liberty.
We are much more conscious of the imperfections of others in this respect than of our own. A reasonable
consideration for the rights of feelings is the foundation of social conduct. It is the little habits of
common place intercourse that make up the great sum of life. It sweetens our life journey.

b) Explain in your own words, "What freedom means"?

The lexical meaning of freedom means independence. It means to act and speak freely. But I think
freedom means responsibility. A responsible person never touches others freedom. He only can preserve
the social conduct, as Gardiner says freedom is not a personal affair. It is only social contact. It is an
accommodation of interests. As there are a lot of people in the world, we have to accommodate our
freedom to their freedom. But a common man thinks freedom means just free to do whatever he wants.
This approach would produce anarchy. Different people have different opinions about the idea of
freedom. All societies define freedom in their own respect. According to me, enjoying our freedom
means we have to consider the rights and the feelings of people around us.

c) "My right to swing my fist ends, where your nose begins." Elucidate with reference to, ‘On the
Rule the Road’.

The phrase ‘my right to swing my fist ends, where your nose begins’ refers to the boundary where one
can act but has to stop when it approaches the boundary of another. It is about the demarcation of
liberties of an individual to the next individual. We each have our own personal space and there is a
boundary. In this essay by A. G. Gardiner, it is dealt that personal liberty is not more important than
public liberty. Gardiner said that he might like to practise on the trombone from midnight till three in
the morning. If he does it on to the top of the Everest, he could please himself. But if he does it out in
the streets, the neighbours would fight with him. So, his liberty must not interfere with their liberty to
sleep in quiet. So, it is clear that one’s right should not interfere with another’s right.

d) Civilization can only exist when the public collectively accepts constraints on its freedom of
action – Explain.

In ‘on the rule of the road’ Gardiner emphasizes the necessity of certain constraints on individual liberty,
if society is to function in a truly civilized manner. According to him, liberty is not a personal affair
only, it is also a social contract. A reasonable consideration for the rights of feelings of others is the
foundation of social conduct. He also noted that in order that the liberties of all may be preserved, the
liberties of everybody must be reduced. Gardiner offers his own illustrations such as the role of police
officer in controlling traffic. The police officer’s role imposes constraints on personal freedom. But it
ensures public freedom. Thus, civilization can only exist, when the public collectively accepts
constraints on its freedom of action.

ESSAY

❖ Introduction
❖ Author’s illustrations
❖ Rule of the road
❖ Author’s Liberty
❖ Conclusion

Introduction:
In the essay ‘On the rule of the road’ by A.G.Gardiner, the rule of being civilized is discussed.
Author’s illustrations:
The author illustrates the following incidents to insist that public liberty is more important than personal
liberty. An old lady walked down the middle of the road. There was a great confusion of the traffic. She
argued that it was her liberty. Thus, the end of her liberty would be universal chaos. The police officer’s
role, who controls the traffic, imposes constraints on personal freedom. But it ensures public freedom.

Rule of the road:

According to the author, the rule of the road means that the liberties of everyone may be maintained
and the liberties of everybody must be reduced. Individual liberty should be curtailed because it may
affect public liberty. When a reasonable person’s actions affect other persons’ liberty, he would have
submitted to a curtailment of private liberty in order that he might enjoy the social order. The author
says liberty is not a personal affair. It is a social commitment. It should not touch the others’ libe rty.

Author’s Liberty:
The author said that he might like to practise on the trombone from midnight till three in the morning.
If he does it on to the top of the Everest, he could please himself. But if he does it out in the streets, the
neighbours would Tight with him. So his liberty must not interfere with their liberty to sleep in quiet.
So it is clear that one’s right should not interfere with another’s right.

Conclusion:
A reasonable consideration for the rights of feelings of others is the foundation of social conduct. It is
the little habits of commonplace intercourse that make up the great sum of life. It sweetens our life’s
journey.