On Doing Nothing - J.B.Priestley

 On Doing Nothing – J.B.Priestley

Introduction:

Priestley describes his experiences of being on the moor in the essay ‘On Doing Nothing.’ He derives a

certain peace of mind there in the company of nature. The pleasure one derives from it is indescribable.

Priestley visits the place with his friend. He finds some meaning in the art of doing nothing. The moor helps

him in this regard In the following paragraphs we can see how the moor is of help to him.

Ideas from the Moor:

Priestley and his friend stayed on the moor one afternoon in the midst of nature’s glory. It is two

thousand feet above sea level. It is a clean bare antechamber to heaven. The velvety patches on its surface, the

ideal weather, remoteness, permanence to heavenliness indifference to man and his acts provide a kind of rest

and happiness to man. There is complete freedom to do anything one likes. The mountain springs provide cool

water. The humans need not do anything They keep quiet and enjoy the natural scenery.

Passive Virtue:

Though there are critics like Mr. Selfridge and speak against doing nothing, Priestley is certain that the

devil’s work is absent in such lonely place as the moor. The world is in a muddle. It is not laziness that is

responsible for it. The energy of the world is misdirected. The doctrine of strenuous life is still active among our

fellowmen. If our statesmen and administrators accept that laziness is not a crime and it can be practiced to

one’s advantage, they can rule the world without any problem whatsoever. Those who attend peace conferences

will realize that doing nothing has so many benefits for men. Natural glory is available in plenty for those who

go to the lonely places. Wordsworth is one such poet who got rich rewards by availing nature’s bounty.

Wordsworth’s Views:

Wordsworth is a nature poet. He loves loneliness and idleness. We may discover in his works the best

account of the matter. He had youthful notion that a man could have no healthier job than idling about and

staring at Nature. He is angry in some of his poems when a group of gypsies passed him at the beginning of his

walk. When they returned, they could be seen doing nothing useful. If the poet were alive today. He would

preach the doctrine of laziness more frequently. He would probably attack Mr. Selfridge and defend Priestley

and his philosophy.

Conclusion:

Thus we see Priestley giving expression to his feelings of the moor and his pastime of idleness as the

best option for man to spend his time away from the din of the city. Nature is the best companion to man. If

only he learns to act like nature everything else will become easy and problem-free