NEB Grade XI Compulsory English Note | Literary Studies | Unit 3 | Lesson 3 What I Require from Life | Essay | J.B.S. Haldane

Lesson:3

What I Require from Life

Summary

The essay 'What I Require from Life', written by J.B.S. Haldane, reflects socialistic convictions demanding democratic activities in work places. This essay is written in simple and lucid language.

Haldane starts his essay saying that he is required to accept the universe as it is. He cannot require the impossible. He then mentions the four things which are general human needs. They are interesting work, good health, friendship and freedom.

In the second section of the essay, Haldane associates his personal requirements with his hopes for the rest of humanity, taking himself to be a typical specimen. He says that he is against capitalism because, in times of economic depression, it leads to unemployment. In his opinion, the workers should control their conditions of work and freedom should begin in the workplace. As a socialist, he wants every man and woman should enjoy equal economic benefits.

The subject at first appears to be personal. In the second part of the essay, it becomes obvious that the essayist is putting forward a political argument. Freedom, for example, is not also a personal preference but also a universal necessity. This means that society should be organized to maximize freedom for everyone. He considers that for the society in which he lives he requires socialism.

Understanding the text

Answer the following questions.

a. How does the writer distinguish between a peaceful age and a heroic age?

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Answer:
He was born in a peaceful age but he has been living in a heroic age. A peaceful age was the time before the first world war took place.

b. Why does the writer want more freedom of speech than most people?

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Answer:
The writer wants more freedom of speech than the most people to say and write what he thinks about Lord Blank’s newspapers, Mr Dash’s pills, and Sir John Asterisk’s beer, all of which are poisonous.

c. According to the writer, what are the four general human needs?

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Answer:

- Work and a decent wage for my work

- Freedom

- Health

- Friendship

d. What is the difference between desire and demand according to the writer?

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Answer:
Desire is something we wish to have or want, but isn’t affordable whereas demand is whatever we wish or want and is affordable. (Answer may vary.)

e. Why does the writer demand security??

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Answer:
The writer demands security because he is a child of his age.

Reference to the context

Explain the following lines with reference to the context:

a. “The satisfaction of adventure is something much more solid than a thrill.”

The given line shows Haldane’s preference for adventure. He demands adventure. He thinks it enriches people with solid experience. Love of adventure doesn’t mean love of thrills. He compares thrill with amusement getting from reading Rimbaud's poetry. This happens when he spent in Madrid for 6 weeks during the siege.

b. “I want the workers to see the fruit of their own work not in profits for others, but in their own and their friends’ well-being.”

The given line reveals that the essayist is strongly in favour of socialism. He asserts the hardworking should be rewarded to a considerable extent. He wants democracy within the working environment. He is a socialist who wants industries to be controlled by the workers. They should be free to work and share profit among themselves. The nature of industrial work should be like hunting and gardening.

c. Why do you think the essayist has taken reference from the ancient philosophers?

The essayist has taken reference from the ancient philosophers to support his argument. He wants work and a decent wage for his work. When they are fulfilled it will be delightful situation which can be equivalent to the happiness Aristotle defined as unimpeded activity. For the essayist death is the supplementary to his life. Of the recoded deaths, he thinks Socrates’ death was the most enviable as he died for his principles.

d. Discuss the essay in terms of its language, purpose, subject, point of view and mode of writing.

The essay is written in simple and lucid language. Its style is straightforward. The subject matter is presented in a way that any reader can understand. The essayist, in first person, holds the simplicity with declarative sentences and clear explanations.

His subject at first appears to be personal and his mode of writing is reflective. In the second section of the essay, he puts forward a political argument. He mentions freedom is both his personal preference and universal requirement. As per him, the society should be structured to maximize freedom for everyone.