Write the summary of the essay entitled "On The Pleasures Of No

Write the summary of the essay entitled “On The Pleasures Of No Longer Being Very Young”.

Ans.

The advantages of the old age are generally expressed in an emotional way. All the old men are often seen equipped with beautiful snowy beards. They look like Father Christmas who is regarded in the legendary figure of Santa Claus. As the Father Christmas brings children gift on the occasion of Christmas, similarly the old men bring their experience, knowledge and wisdom for the young men. The appearance of the old men creates a doubt among the young men about the real advantages of the old age. The advantages which the old men bring seem to be maxims. But the essayist does not show his agreement with this thing that with the advancement of the age men grow wise. He observes that many old men retain the innocence and simplicity of childhood. Elderly people are seen much more romantic, bold and courageous than the young people. The advantages of maturity of old age become the subject of contradiction. The old man grows up in the world of proverbs. As a man grows to maturity, he shows firm faith in a large number of traditions, institutions, maxims and codes of manners which seemed to him dead in his youth. In the world of the young men, the old man is regarded the meaningless thing. The old man seems to be stuffed with stale material. The old man is considered to be completely a dead man. He is forced to live in a town of tombs. With the advancing years, the old man finds that the traditions are not baseless and they are true. The importance of the proverbs can be understood when they are applied in practical world. The old age is called the second childhood because at one time when man grows extremely old, he behaves and thinks like a child.

The essayist describes the rise and downfall. The downfall of every thing is certain. There are many examples of the rise and sudden downfall. One or two years ago America’s prosperity was on the summit. It seemed to have become a vast land of gold. But it is as much embarrassed as England and really much more embarrassed than Ireland. The essayist describes Cardinal Wolsey who was Lord Chancellor of England during the reign of Henry VIII. Though very low born he rose to the highest offices, religious and political, but had also a sudden and staggering downfall. Napoleon who was the emperor of France, was defeated at Waterloo. Many olden pride have gone to downfall. The essayist comes to know through the history that the Charles the fifth was emperor of Germany and was one of the greatest rulers of Europe. His empire comprised Spain, Austria, the Netherlands and the Holy Roman Empire. He abdicated in favour of his brother. The essayist finds the example of the downfall of Charles First. He was the King of England, against whom there was a revolt under the leadership of Cromwell. He was tried and beheaded. The glory never remains far longer because the downfall of every glorious thing is certain.