A G Gardiner's Essay On a Painted Face_ On Smiles_ On Saying Please

M A English II Semester

Paper III

Prose II

Unit 3

Critical Analysis of A.G. Gardiner’s Essay On a Painted Face  

In On a Painted Face by A.G. Gardiner we have the theme of appearance, deception, confidence, acceptance, independence, change and control. Taken from his Pebbles on the Shore collection the reader realises from the beginning of the essay that Gardiner may be exploring the theme of appearance. It is clear that Gardiner does not believe that the young girl he meets on the street should be wearing make-up. He believes it takes away from the natural beauty of a lady. Something which should not be enhanced or rather in Gardiner’s eyes cannot be enhanced by make-up. It never dawns of Gardiner that some women may prefer to wear make-up in order to boost their confidence. They may not necessarily be trying to deceive the world or to persuade the world that they still look as young and beautiful as they did in their youth. It is inevitable that everybody will age and may not necessarily be considered as beautiful as they once were. By applying make-up a woman is not only giving herself confidence but she is delaying the inevitable. The time when no matter how well the make-up is applied it will lose its effect. For Gardiner make-up loses its effect the minute it is applied to a woman’s face regardless of the woman’s age.

It is also possible that Gardiner is unable to accept change. At the time the story was written make-up would have been more available to women. Hence more women began wearing make-up. It is for this reason that Gardiner is noticing how many women are wearing make-up. If anything some critics might suggest that Gardiner is being unnecessarily critical of women and may be threading on being misogynistic. It is as though he is attempting to control women and how they might look. An effort that many men (including Gardiner) would lose. In reality make-up may have helped give women independence. To be allowed to decide for themselves how they might wish to look. The intended target may have been a male audience but nonetheless women were affording themselves the opportunity to appear as they would like to appear. Pleasing not only themselves but other men who do not think like Gardiner.

What is also interesting about the story is how angry Gardiner feels about the issue. Something which may lead some readers to suggest that Gardiner is aware that the world around him is changing and he feels threatened by this change or at least unable to adapt to it. It might also be important that Gardiner considers that it is okay for an actress or actor to wear make-up as they are partaking in a fantasy. Yet a woman does not have the same right to apply make-up and escape into a world in whereby she is not hurting anybody. It may also be a case that many women feel discontent with how they look without make-up. Not every woman has been treated kindly by nature. So it is inevitable that a woman for the sake of confidence would apply make-up to her face. Again in reality Gardiner considers it to be an abhorrent act yet the reality suggests it is harmless and that the problem lies with Gardiner and his inability to accept change. Gardiner also does not know how to react to young people who apply make-up. Something that is clear from the beginning of the essay. Though the young girl has not changed as a person. Gardiner treats her differently.

Gardiner also doesn’t believe that women who apply make-up to their faces or who dye their hair are in any way prettier than they previously were. Which may suggest that Gardiner believes that the women are acting foolishly or at least deluding themselves. If this is the case than it might be important to remember that a woman is again independent of a man. She is entitled to do as she pleases, wear what clothes she wishes and wear make-up if she desires. There is nothing that Gardiner can do about it and this might be the most upsetting thing to Gardiner and other men. They lack the ability to control a woman’s life. Where previous generations of women may have felt submissive to the male. For Gardiner this is not the case. The young girl who Gardiner meets is expressing a new found confidence that should be appreciated and applauded. However Gardiner remains in shock. Shocked enough that he is repulsed by the way that society has moved on. It is as though Gardiner is not only unable to accept the present but he is also finding it difficult to let go of the past and the belief that women should not wear make-up. In reality the real problem lies with Gardiner and not the women who choose to wear make-up.

Reference:  http://sittingbee.com/on-a-painted-face-a-g-gardiner/

                                  Critical Analysis of A.G. Gardiner’s Essay On Smiles

In On Smiles by A.G. Gardiner we have the theme of happiness, trust, change and appearance. Taken from his Many Furrows collection the reader realises after reading the essay that Gardiner may be exploring the theme of happiness or rather the happiness one receives from seeing another person smile. For Gardiner there is also a difference between a natural smile and one that an individual forces. The natural smile will cheer up another person and make them forget their woes. While people have the ability to see through a forced smile. A smile that lacks the quality of trust. It is easier for an individual to trust a person who smiles naturally as they are able to disarm any criticism that the individual may have about the person’s character. It is as though a person with a natural smile is able to change how another person feels. By forcing a smile an individual is being deceitful and people can see this for themselves. A forced or fake smile leaves a person suspicious of the individual who is smiling and as such their guard will be up because they cannot trust the individual.

What is also interesting about the essay is the fact that Gardiner believes a smile comes from inwards. It may be reflected outwards but in reality it is something that comes from inside the person themselves. It is for this reason that a natural smile is more trusting and has the ability to disarm a person. It is also likely that this is the reason that Gardiner wishes that he could relive his life all over again. To be a new person as he may have the natural skepticism that comes with life and as such his smile may be no more than a grimace. Which would not be endearing to people. Gardiner also argues that the habitual smile is not pleasing to an individual as it lacks spontaneity. This may be significant as Gardner could be suggesting that those who smile permanently can not only be distrusted but they may also have something to hide. Attempting to disarm before conflict. A conflict which all parties may be aware of. If anything a constant smile would not only be annoying to Gardiner but it may also suggest that the individual is hiding something.

The importance of a smile can also not be underestimated particularly if one is a politician. With Gardiner quoting the success of Theodore Roosevelt as an example. Roosevelt’s smile according to Gardiner may have helped him to be successful. The smile bringing a sense of ease to those who observed it. A matter that would be important for a politician. Should a politician never smile there is every chance that the electorate will not vote for him or her and as such the politician will be forced to look for another career. One that will suit their appearance. A good smile in Gardiner’s opinion will also carry a man or woman a long way. One can go from rags to riches by a simple ability to have a smile that is contagious. By making another person smile not only are you making them happy but you are also showing them that you are not a threat in anyway. Which would hinder a person’s passage through life. To move forward in life one has to be trusted and a good smile will go a long way in helping an individual progress through life.

In reality a good, natural smile will help an individual to change another person’s viewpoint of them. A person will forget why they disliked the individual and matters will be resolved more quickly should there be any conflict between either party. The example of Rufus Isaacs is also interesting as he appears to have the juries in front of him in the palm of his hand (and on the side of his client). Isaacs radiates confidence but not overtly so. He smiles enough to disarm others while at the same time keeping his focus on his client.  All by having a natural and confident smile. While others who force their smile or permanently smile are deemed to be less trustworthy. An issue which would be of great importance to a lawyer. If anything Gardiner may be suggesting that those who smile naturally and confidently have an easier time than those who might force a smile. An individual can see through another person’s smile and if it is honest and engaging than that individual is won over for the time being. It is probably for this reason that Gardiner wishes he could be born all over again. To learn in a natural way how to smile and to beam confidence and to be able to disengage others should he need to.

Reference: http://sittingbee.com/on-smiles-a-g-gardiner/

                            Critical Analysis of A.G. Gardiner’s Essay On Saying “Please”

This essay by A.G. Gardiner explores the issue of politeness as an extremely important and indispensable feature of civil society. Politeness, he argues, is that which keeps the social life of civilised man well-oiled and friction free. Good temper gives rise to naturally pleasant behaviour that radiates pleasantness all around. Conversely, bad temper breeds uncouth behaviour that poisons the stream of life. Both good and bad behaviour are highly infectious. The problem is that good behaviour cannot be enforced by the law. This is so because the manifestation of good behaviour depends on the tone of one’s voice, the cast of one’s lips, the expression on one’s face - and such things that the law can never regulate. Finally, Gardiner argues that one may get the sweetest revenge against boorish individuals by being excessively polite towards them.

Gardiner expected smooth, light and playful behaviour instead of quarrels and disputes. He raised the question of morality in everyday life. In all cases, it is the human interest that appealed him. He described not only the effect upon, but also the illustration in human character. He has aptly pointed out the irrelativity in the behaviour of the society he lived in and suggested correlative measures to overcome the problems which could harm the entire society.

In On Saying “Please” he points out the value of good manner in social life and emphasizes the importance of courtesy and politeness in daily behaviour. In a simple, natural and anecdotal manner, he shows how polite speech and manner sweeten the atmosphere around, and how discourtesy and ill-manners spoil or pollute it. Gardiner emphasises the value of gentleness of speech and manners and concludes that politeness is a more effective tool of taking revenge on a discourteous person, as is seen in the case of Chesterfield, than a violent attack as was restored to by the liftman. However, instead of indulging in abstract moralising or preaching, Gardiner gives concrete examples of polite behaviour like that of the polite bus-conductor and the consequences of ill-manners like those of the rude passenger in the lift.

In On Saying Please by A.G. Gardiner we have the theme of courtesy, civility, morality, responsibility and control. Taken from his Many Furrows collection the reader realises after reading the essay that Gardiner may be exploring the theme of courtesy and the benefits of being courteous to others. The story of the lift-man and his pushing of the man out of the lift leaves two people to suffer. The lift-man who is likely to be charged by the police and the man himself who was pushed out of the lift. Though some critics might suggest the lack of courtesy shown by the man who was pushed out of the life is enough for the lift-man to take matters into his own hand. The lift-man only suffers by his actions. Whereas if he had taken the moral high ground and continued to be polite to the man. He may have in fact changed the man’s approach to him. By showing civility the narrator argues that more is to be gained than if one is ill-mannered or ill-tempered towards another person. If anything the lift-man has lost his peace of mind and possibly his freedom.

The narrator’s example of the conductor is also interesting as the conductor at all times appears to take the higher moral ground despite what he may think of his passengers on the. He never judges anyone and is apologetic when he makes a mistake. Something that is noticeable when he stands on the narrator’s feet. Though an accident the conductor ensures that he apologies and that no offence can be taken. This may be important as Gardiner may be suggesting that just as the lift-man lost his patience and peace of mind. The conductor on the other hand remains morally upright. He is sensible enough to know when he has made a mistake and when he must apologize. Unlike the lift-man who has taken matters personally and as a result has broken the law. Which takes precedence over any ill-mannered approach that one may receive from another person. Legality takes precedence over moral laws in the eyes of society and one is left to deal with a perceived moral injustice by themselves without the support of the law. As to whether the reader agrees with this is a different matter as loss of peace of mind over a moral slight can result in the law being broken or others who are innocent being effected.

Gardiner may also be exploring the difficulties that can be incurred by an individual when dealing with the public. The lift-man acted inappropriately while the conductor on the other hand is wise enough to know that it is better to be sweet to each passenger than to offend them. Not only does the conductor keep his peace of mind but he also ensures that he is not responsible for breaking the law. Though the conductor may feel like doing so. In contrast the lift-man and the conductor are two very different types of people. The lift-man loses control because he feels slighted in some way. That he may be deemed by the man entering the lift as being inferior to him. While the conductor on the other hand does not lose control of his emotions. Rather he continues to be polite, well-mannered and civil to all his passengers. It is by losing control that the lift-man faces the more serious charge of breaking the law. Morally the law is not responsible for how the lift-man has been treated. The law only deals with issues of a legal nature.

It is also clear to the reader that the happier of the two men is the conductor. The lift-man having lost control acts irresponsibly. Whereas if he takes the higher moral ground that is shown by the conductor. He still keeps his peace of mind and acts morally superior to the man who did not say please. Which leaves the reader realizing that regardless of how one is morally treated by another person. The path to follow is not to retaliate or query an indiscretion that may have been felt but to rise above the indiscretion and maintain one’s dignity. At all times ensuring that one can keeps one’s peace of mind without having to lower themselves to the level of the perceived offender. Something which may be difficult to accomplish though worth the effort. As matters of gratitude can have an effect not only on the offended party but also to those in the offended party’s circle. Something which only leads to further disruption and misfortune to an individual. Despite themselves being innocent of any law that they perceive may be broken. In reality it is better for a person to overcome how they might feel having been slighted morally and to take the higher moral ground.

Reference: https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/78859/7/07_chapter%202.pdf

      http://sittingbee.com/on-saying-please-a-g-gardiner/