Written in 1905, the text contained within this version is from the 12th (1919) edition of the work. Chesterton, born in England in 1874 had a number of 69 books ascribed to his authorship. Evidently beginning his career as a poet and becoming a literary critic, we see in this work the abbreviated summation, in like of some of Chesterton’s earlier material (Tennyson, Thackary & Tolstoy), critiques of particular personages (Ibsen, Kipling, GB Shaw, Nietzsche, HG Wells, et al) pertinent at the time. This is what essentially amounts to a literary critique, in Chesterton’s recognizable cadence (which means, oft times ambling and a bit ungainly, just as often a bit sordid, insightful and usually as often entertaining, all while espoused in a very critical, almost cynical (maybe even actually so) tone that, and this be the lesson of the entirety of the work – ‘there is only one way of really guarding ourselves against the excessive danger of them (Religious & Philosophical beliefs), and that is to be steeped in philosophy and soaked in religion’ (2410). The dangers, duly noted, are bigotry, meaning that one has an anger fueled by having no opinions and, the other – fanaticism, or clinging to one idea so ardently that all other ideas are unseen and unsought.
This is, quite specifically on a literary level, a work study of the use of linguistics. At the heart of the question – can any man be a heretic? It also acts as something of a philosophical treatise, in that Chesterton asserts man should be wont to be welcoming of ideas, but adhere to his own and firmly. He advocates empiricism much more than anything, as Chesteron would figure it – we live in an irrational world… were things are muddled-rational. As aforementioned it can also be seen as a critique of the important / relevant thinkers, philosophers and writers of the time – early 1900’s, which was a fantastic time for literature.
On the other hand it also acts as a means of doom-saying. For not only does Chesterton go after (what I consider) vague personages, but he also rails against their affiliations, their version of ‘high art’ and even the country they hail from is not sanctified enough to be spared. He was, and always presents as being a man of firm conviction – even if I wouldn’t be so quickly inclined to agree on many points.
As posited by earlier reviewers, this is a rather laborious read. I sat with it many times, interval reading, in part because I wanted to let it sink in and also in part because I didn’t care if it did. I have little investment in any of the authors Chesterton rips, with possibly the exception of HG Wells, and this only because he always struck me as being more vast than Chesterton’s other two primary targets: Shaw & Kipling.
***SPOILERS***
From the start Chesterton is concerned with the word ‘heretic’. He defines hereticism as ‘doing something wrong’, or backward from an accepted means or variant way to solve a problem or go about navigating some struggle. To suggest that one is heretical is, to Chesterton, to say that one is not only wrong, but philosophically wrong and that ‘The modern idea is that cosmic truth is so unimportant that it cannot matter what anyone says.’ (72) – thusly saying, the universe and a philosophy of it does not matter. We’ve entered Chesterton’s state where the modern man states (and still presents to): ‘Let us leave all these arbitrary standards and embrace liberty.’ Which Chesterton translates to mean, when enacted: ‘Let us not decide what is good, but let it be considered good not to decide it.’ (223) Stagnancy which will do no progressing as long as the moral doctrine of society remains undeveloped / uncultivated (because folks don’t care). It is easy to foresee how this topic would naturally proceed to the talk of the Uber-mensch. Yet, more realistically than the uber-mensch, it’s presented in more obtainable fashion – IF you’re aware enough to know you have these definitive ideas. ‘Every man in the street must hold a metaphysical system, and hold it firmly. The possibility is that he may have held it so firmly and so long as to have forgotten all about its existence.’ (2435)
Referencing Henrik Ibsen, Chesterton argues Realism versus (and aligned with) genuine religious sentiment, suggesting the two are inseparable and that while most moralists will teach a putative world, one that’s mean and tries to tie you to the stake for every offense, Ibsen lacks an ‘enduring and positive ideal, this absence of a permanent key to virtue’ which promotes him in Chesterton’s esteem.
Regarding Kipling, Chesterton states that the world over the poetic has been cheapened, for all things are poetic. He gives examples of poetic-potential items and states ‘for to be entirely romantic a thing must be irrevocable.’ (291). Kipling he feels, with his depth of perception and understanding of contemporary man, aides greatly the movement efforts in returning the poetic to its rightful place, its loft. Yet, trying to issue the ‘Kiplingite ideal.’ (322) Chesterton ties organization and obedience to militarism as an archetypal example of this ideal (specifically: we’re all cowards; heroes are made through organization) and states that Kipling is a wanderer, unattached to anything because he’s recognized that ‘the moment you love anything the world becomes your foe.’ (357) He further suggests that dead and dusty, dried out things, tend to get about (imagining a tumbleweed). The champion of applauding you abusively, GK Chesterton.
Chesterton claims Bernard Shaw to lack anything serious about himself (451), if only because the Golden Rule was ‘there was no golden rule.’ (453). From here we encounter the notion of the Nietzcheian Superman; again - the uber-mensch. Ideals, Chesterton asserts, built too high, insurmountable, destined for failure. ‘Until we realize that things might not be we cannot realize that things are.’ (489) and building a scene where; all genuine appreciation rests on a certain mystery of humility and almost of darkness’ (485), Chesterton finds that in recognizing that darkness we’re able to appreciate the world, without needing to feel obligated to aim at the Supermanic ideal. He harpoons Shaw for being wont to suggest creating a new man, for latching onto the Superman, for failing as a realist to cling to the abandon of ideals.
Religion is also a hot-point concern for Chesterton in this work. Much of what he believes the religious devoted to be, especially those termed ‘non-denominational’, is nothing short of charlatanism. Falling under a similar line of scrutiny are ‘holidays’ and its associated materialism.
Chesterton also comments upon imbibing. Stating ‘Never drink because you need it, for this is rational drinking, and the way to death and hell. But drink because you do not need it, for this is irrational drinking, and the ancient health of the world.’ (807)
Quotes:
‘All previous ages have sweated and been crucified in an attempt to realize what is really the right life, what was really the good man.’ (216)
‘Slang may be, if you like, a dirty by-product of language.’ (300)
‘The truth is, that it is quite an error to suppose that absence of definite convictions gives the mind freedom and agility.’ (432)
‘what is the good of telling a man (or a philosopher) that he has every liberty except the liberty to make generalizations. Making generalizations is what makes him a man.’ (456)
‘A page of statistics, a plan of model dwellings, anything which is rational, is always difficult for the lay-mind. But the thing which is irrational any one can understand.’ (731)
‘It is the drinking of a man who drinks because he is not happy. His is the wine that shuts out the universe, not the wine that reveals it.’ (820)
‘There are no rationalists. We all believe fairy-tales, and live in them.’ (2455)
Enjoy fast, FREE delivery, exclusive deals and award-winning movies & TV shows with Prime
Try Prime
and start saving today with Fast, FREE Delivery
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Join or create book clubs
Choose books together
Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required. Learn more
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Flip to back Flip to front
| Price | New from | Used from |
|
Audible Audiobook, Unabridged
"Please retry" |
$0.00
| Free with your Audible trial | |
| Paperback, May 29, 2013 | $9.99 | $9.99 | — |
|
Audio CD, CD, Unabridged
"Please retry" | $24.04 | — |
- Read with Our Free App
-
Audiobook
$0.00 - 4 Used from $21.05 15 New from $14.77
- 3 New from $9.99
- 1 New from $24.04
An affirmative, empowering story about embracing your identity and finding your voice, inspired in part by debut author Korey Watari’s experiences growing up Asian American, and illustrated by her husband, Mike Wu, Pixar artist and creator of the Ellie series.| Learn more
Frequently bought together
$9.99
Get it as soon as Wednesday, Jun 14
In Stock.
Total price:
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Choose items to buy together.
Customers who viewed this item also viewed
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 15, 2015
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on May 20, 2023
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on November 27, 2022
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on June 10, 2020
Top reviews from other countries
Daniele Poliana Alves Martins
Não gostei muito.
Reviewed in Brazil 🇧🇷 on October 13, 2020Héctor Guillermo Muñoz
El mismo gran Chesterton de siempre
Reviewed in Mexico 🇲🇽 on July 8, 2018proposition
Metaphysical arguments against those who assail traditional values
Reviewed in India 🇮🇳 on June 22, 2017
