How to live to be 200-Stephen Leacock

Osmania University I yr-Sem 3

Unit -2 Prose

 How to live to be 200

Stephen Leacock

Stephen Butler Leacock(1869–1944) was born in England,  At the age of 6, he immigrated to Canada with his parents.His books Literary Lapses (1910) and Nonsense Novels (1911) are very popular. The present essay is from Literary Lapses

Stephen Leacock, a Canadian author, wrote this satirical and humorous essay. The writer brings out the follies, especially the young men of his time, who wanted to keep them fit and live long.The title is exaggerating. The writer makes fun of health maniacs and advises youth not to follow fitness freaks. 

The writer satirizes health freaks. He ridicules health habits and calls them maniacs. He elaborates on his views about health freaks, giving an example of Jiggins’ life. Jiggins represents many youth, who unnecessarily do excessive exercises to keep them fit. Jiggins wanted to live strong, healthy, and for a long time. He used to take a cold bath and a hot bath every morning, by which he could open and shut his skin pores. He used to breathe through an open window in order to expand his lungs as much as possible.He even does different kinds of exercises in his spare time. Despite his severe workouts and breathing exercises, he died at a young age. He dumb-belled  himself to death. Many young men are following his health habits. 

The youth wake up in the early hours to go for a marathon run before breakfast. The writer gives an elaborate description of young men's obsession with health exercises. They search for ozone and avoid meat because it contains too much nitrogen. They also do not eat fruit because it does not have nitrogen. They avoid some foods and drinks, stating various reasons. The writer comments that these young people are on the wrong track, and they do not live long.

 The writer advises the health maniacs to stop doing all this nonsense. Furthermore, he offers some insightful advice. He suggests we get up in the morning at our convenience. There isn't any ozone. If there is, buy a Thermos bottle full for five cents and put it on a shelf in the cupboard. 

 Leacock makes fun of cold-bathing because it's something we never did as boys. Instead of a cold bath, take one in warm water.

Next, the author discusses germs and bacteria. We shouldn't be scared of them, because they are not harmful. Then he gives a piece of advice on food. The author suggests that we should not avoid certain food items, citing health reasons. He suggests that we eat whatever we like, until we can't pay anymore. Leacock humorously presents his views, saying, There is no such thing as starch, albumen, gluten, or nitrogen. Even though we want to, we should go to the laundry and get a bag of starch, eat it, drink glue after it, and take a spoonful of Portland cement. That will make one feel healthy and solid.

 Leacock talks about fresh air and exercise. Unlike Jiggins, we should give some rest to our lungs. As long as we have others to play baseball for us, run races, and perform gymnastics while we watch the games in the shade, we shouldn't worry about exercising.

 How to Live to be 200 (americanliterature.com)

Audiobook.