Chapter 1: Freedom

Answer. The author G.B. Shaw explains the concept of freedom sarcastically through the chapter ‘Freedom’. He presents his statements about freedom with pure justification using historical facts. The author also gives out a witty observation of the reader’s conscience using his sharp brain. He debunks the entire idea of freedom in his sarcastic style of writing. Shaw can make strong statements, be it democracy or any topic, and support it with all the required proof from history without shying away from expressing his thoughts bravely.

On the other hand, the famous writer, J. Krishnamurti, treats freedom and discipline much more smoothly. His work appears to be more straightforward and explains the concept of freedom and discipline in a precise manner. Thus, both authors are different writers in their styles. Moreover, while Shaw’s way of handling the topic is sarcastic, using historical facts into account to justify his statements, Krishnamurti treats it through explanations to justify his interpretation.

There are many statements that Shaw makes in the text, two of which are as follows:

Example 1:

“The object of all honest governments should be to prevent your being imposed on in this way. But the object of most actual governments, I regret to say, is exactly the opposite. They enforce your slavery and call it freedom.”  Living in a civilised country, and the government controls our freedom by directing us to what not to do. It’s complete slavery in the name of freedom.

Example 2.

“The slavery of man to man is the very opposite of this. It is hateful to the body and to the spirit.”

For instance, we have been told by our teachers, and parents what is right and what is wrong. “You know what people say, what the priest says, what tradition says, and what you have learned in school”. Yet, you say you are free when all these forms a kind of enclosure within which you live, and we living in that space makes us feel free.

Answer. The use of personal pronouns has enriched both texts. Yes, using personal pronouns helps us identify ourselves in the text with the context of absolute freedom. But, in addition, as both the texts have been written using personal pronouns, it helps us relate the writer’s thoughts with our own life.