Going Out for a Walk, is an essay by Max Beerbohm, written in 1918 and was published in 1920 in the essay collection And Even Now. The essay fights the notion that taking a walk is a matter of the brain needing release and more so conflicted when there is a talkative companion.
Contents
Summary
The main plot of the essay is the challenge of the norm notion that taking a walk is a productive, Beerbohm makes the case that taking a walk is actually the opposite and prevents the mind from intelligent thought. Beerbohm’s reasoning is that while walking you almost loses a part of your train of thought, as you are unconsciously thinking about walking. Beerbohm expresses that he misses London being that the loud noises of the city prevent the ability of thinking during walks, but how the solace of the country can cause a “walk monger” to insist on talking a walk. Not having an excuse to not take a walk cause Beerbohm to veer from the comfort of a reading chair, which is a disruption that he finds is not progressive. He claims even the most intelligent writers lose train of thought soon as they start walking and conversations eventually lead to dull topics and gossip. The essay concludes that he does bot believe that physical exercise is bad for you “taken moderately, it is rather good for one, physically”. but condemns taking a walk that lacks reason and would rather take another form of transportation.
Themes
Beerbohm infers that this is because the soul and the brain clash, the soul makes quick command to walk, the brain questions the idea were you are going as you take a walk. The soul as no answer to the destination causing the brain not to want to take part while a person takes a walk. The lack of brainpower creates dull and unintelligent conversations while making the journey of taking a walk with someone.
You cant just say give the simple answer of no when differing from the question of taking a walk unless their an old friend, but when it comes down to an acquaintance you must come up with a believable excuse why not to do so.
Reception
During the 1920s when this essay was published there was a rise in economic growth, and strong support of conservative economic system. Most artists objected this new sense of political wealth and business society “These artists had little faith in the political leaders who came to power after the war. They felt a need to protest the way the world was changing around them.”
Beerbohm was brutally honest as a writer and believed that if you imposed being unlikeable people will like you based on honesty and similarities to the “common man”.Unlikeable details show honesty in writing, and people relate as long as it doesn’t “alienate the reader”.
Beerbohm accomplished this balance so perfectly that it seems deliberate, as though he carefully constructed a character with exactly the right kind of flaws: the curmudgeon.