SUMMARY of The Rule of The Road By AG Gardiner

SUMMARY of The Rule of The Road By AG Gardiner
Alfred George (A.G.) Gardiner was a British journalist and author. He was a prolific essayist and his style
and subject matter easily qualified him to be categorized as what the English would call a very civilized
gentleman. His essays addressing the necessary qualifications to fit into proper society are “On Habits,”
“On Being Tidy,” “On Talk and Talkers,” and the subject of this question, “On the Rule of the Road.” This
latter essay was included in one of Gardiner’s compilations titled Leaves in the Wind and was published
under his pseudonym “Alpha of the Plough.” Consistent with the theme of what constitutes the proper
conduct of a civilized individual, “On the Rule of the Road” remains one of his more enduring essays
because it captures a very essential point, that the essence of civilization lies in the willingness of the
individual to accept constraints on his or her personal behavior for the benefit of the greater good.
In “On the Rule of the Road,” Gardiner emphasizes the necessity of certain constraints on individual
liberty if society is to function in a truly civilized manner. As he wrote in this essay, “Liberty is not a
personal affair only, but a social contract. . . . A reasonable consideration for the rights or feelings of
others is the foundation of social conduct.” Further, Gardiner wrote that “in order that the liberties of all
may be preserved, the liberties of everybody must be curtailed.” Freedom, in other words, cannot exist
in a vacuum. It must conform to some degree to a set of principles that exist to ensure that one’s
liberties do not infringe on other’s. We enjoy the freedom to speak our mind, but, at some point,
freedom of speech runs afoul of the public good. The famous qualification to freedom of speech—that
one must not yell “fire” in a crowded theater—is precisely the point. Gardiner offers his own
illustrations to make his point, such as the role of the police officer in controlling traffic—a role that, by
definition, imposes constraints on personal freedom. Civilization can only exist when the public
collectively accepts constraints on its freedom of action.
The essay starts with an amusing anecdote of a fat old lady walking down a busy street in Petrograd in
the middle of the road. The traffic was, of course, confused and there followed a traffic block. When
someone pointed out to her that pedestrians had to walk on footpaths, her answer was intriguing. She
answered that she has the freedom to walk wherever she likes. Nothing can be said against this because
it is a public road.
The author, busy the next paragraph, goes on to clarify the boundaries of personal liberty. He says these
days people are liberty – drunk. On this point, the reader can not but agree with the author as we see
today that everyone wants individual freedom. Over the course of time, the problem has become more
acute and fighting for freedom begins early when children are very young. Independence and
dependence took on many colours and shades.
According to Gardiner, sacrifice seems to be the foundation of liberty because “in order that the liberties
of all may be preserved, the liberties of everybody must be curtailed.” He gives the example of traffic
police at a busy junction. The policeman may seem like a nuisance at first, but later we realize he’s
actually a blessing. If everyone were driving wherever and whenever they wanted there would be utter
chaos and no one could reach anywhere. So in a sense, in order to make the neighbours, a reality
neighbours liberty is restricted. The author introduces freedom as a social contract not a personal. He
says it’s an adaptation. If our freedom does not interfere with others, we can do as we please. He gives
many instances where we do what we like to wear, what to eat, which religion to follow, which author
to prefer, and many others. We rule over a kingdom where we have all the freedom, but when we come
into contact with the freedom of other people, both parties will have to restrict their own free lives. For
this again he gives the instance of playing the Trombone. If he wishes to play it at midnight he will have
to leave to the Everest or else his family and neighbours will object.
The author tells the reader that there are a lot of people in this world and adjustment is the key to
liberty.
Gardiner points out that unfortunately, we are quicker to see the faults of others than our own. He says
that consideration for the rights or feelings of others is the foundation of social behaviour.
He concludes saying that it is these small matters that decide whether we are civilized or uncivilised.
Great moments of heroism and sacrifice are rare but our life is made up of these small adjustments
which make it sweet.
Detail summary OF THE RULE OF THE ROAD
Alfred George Gardiner is one of the most charming contemporary essayists. His selection of subjects as
well as his treatment of subjects can explain the reason for his popularity. The style and language of
Gardiner’s writing is beautiful. Its keynote is its simplicity. His economy of words and ideas make his
essays a pleasure to read. His use of anecdotes and illustrations make the essay crystal clear and its
elucidation simple.
Gardiner in this bewitching essay “The Road Rule” points out what constitutes true liberty. These days,
even among small children, personal freedom or individual liberty is a very familiar concept. Gardiner
has dealt with this subject almost prophetically in a diplomatic and mature way by offering a solution to
today’s ‘ liberty – drunk ‘ mentality. Gardiner tells us that there will often be times when we must
“submit to a curtailment of private liberty” if we want to live in a social order in which we really have
liberty. So what he says may seem somewhat paradoxical. He says that in order to make our liberty a
reality, we must give up some of our freedom.
The idea of personal liberty as a social contract by Gardiner reflects the idea of ‘ social contract ‘ by the
philosopher John Locke. Locke is one of the thinkers closest to the ‘ social contract ‘ idea. This idea says
we are giving up some of our smaller freedoms so we can live in a society together. In return for doing
so, our truly important rights are protected by society. Gardiner is trying to make this one major point in
this essay.
Literally, when Gardiner refers to the “road rule,” he’s talking about the rules that tell you what you can
do on the road. He refers to the anecdote of the Russian woman walking down the middle of the road
and causing problems with traffic. That woman did not follow the rules telling us what we could do on
the roads. But here too, there is a figurative meaning. Gardiner uses traffic laws as a metaphor for the
rules that make society work (often unwritten and informal) and create community and solidarity in
society.
The main point of this essay is that people need to consider how their actions affect others, not just
what they want to do themselves, and how they affect society. The rules of the road in this sense are
rules of politeness and altruism. They are rules like “do not play your trombone too loudly or at the
wrong time” or “do not have loud public places conversations.”
The author concludes the essay by saying that both anarchist and socialist must be a judicious mix. We
need to preserve individual liberty as well as social freedom. It is in the small matter of behaviour in
observing the rule of the road, we pass judgment on ourselves and declare that we are civilized or
uncivilised.
Rule of the Road Summary
“Rule of the Road” is an essay by one of the greatest International essayist A.G. Gardiner who wrote
mostly under a pseudonym “Alpha of the Plough”. The essay is preceded by “ All About A Dog” as the
two together convey the great message that laws are and should always be constituted for the welfare,
wellbeing, and convenience of the general public. Laws need to be observed and followed in spirit rather
than letter. However, some laws should be and can be winked at when the need arises.
Laws are categorized as ones to be observed and followed at all costs. Rule of the road needs to be and
should at all costs be followed strictly to ensure every body’s safety; to avoid chaos and confusion.
Breach of this rule is sure to result in loss of life, terrific inconvenience to all and all resulting derailing
entire Social fabric. There are other laws like one’s choice of dressing at home, one’s hobbies and the
like, one can and does enjoy a lot of freedom in this regard.
The essay bears upon its reader that he/she should consider others convenience superior to his/her
own. Everybody has the right to live according to his/her will and one is free in most of the matters of
life but everyone should remember that his/her freedom ends where another person’s freedom starts
that
is why it is said that “you are free to walk down a street revolving your stick but your freedom ends
where another person’s nose begins”. In short, it lays base, the fact that there is nothing like “absolute
freedom” and that everyone should be contented with the curtailment of liberty in order to enjoy a
happy, safe, fear-free social life which ushers in greater liberty though indirectly.
In Albert Como’s words “ you cannot be happy when all around you are sad”, you cannot even smile
when you are surrounded by gloomy and sullen faces. Our joys and sorrows are determined not only by
our personal conditions but mostly by the content of joy and sorrow experienced by people around us.
Thus when people around us are free in their private affairs, we also can have a similar amount of
freedom and that is possible only when we follow laws of the society in every walk of life; when we
conduct ourselves according to the norms set by our societies.
Q & A
1.What does AG Gardiner mean by the rule of the road?
A.G. Gardiner defines the "rule of the road" in the following way: "It means that in order that the
liberties of all may be preserved, the liberties of everybody must be curtailed." In other words, each
person must have some limits on his or her freedom in order to enjoy the freedom that comes from
social order.
2.
What is the pen name of AG Gardiner?
Alfred George Gardiner (2 June 1865 – 3 March 1946) was an English journalist, editor and author. His
essays, written under the alias "Alpha of the Plough", are highly regarded.
SUMMARY-ON THE RULE OF THE ROAD
Alfred George Gardiner is one of the most delightful essayists of the modern times. In this essay “The
Rule Of the Road” he points out what constitutes true liberty.
A stout old lady was walking down in the middle of a street in Petrograd causing great confusion in the
traffic. When this was pointed out, the old lady replied that she has the liberty to walk where she likes
to roam. But the old lady doesn’t know that if liberty entitle the foot passenger to walk down the middle
of the road it also entitle the cab driver to drive on the pavement and the end of such liberty would be a
universal chaos.
The author points out that this kind of individual liberty would become a social anarchy.
The rule of the road means that in order “to preserve the liberties of all the liberties of everybody must
be curtailed”.
When the policeman put out his hand at Piccadilly circus street, we must not think that our liberty has
been violated. If we are a reasonable person we will reflect that he didn’t interfere and hence result
would be that we would never cross the Piccadilly Circus Street at all. We have submitted to a
curtailment of private liberty in order that we may enjoy a social order, which makes our liberty a
reality.
The author point out that liberty is not a personal affair, but it is a social contract. It is an adjustment of
interests. He lists out some examples of like
Wearing a gown and walking down the street
Having long hair
Walking with bare foot
Dyeing one’s hair or waxing
Going to bed early
Getting up late
Are few things that ask no man’s permission.
If one practices a trombone from midnight until three in the morning, on the Helvelly no one would ask
that, but if we intend to play it in the street, the neighbours will remind us that our liberty to blow the
trombone interferes with their liberty to sleep quiet.
The author once got into a railway carriage he started to read a blue book. He did not read that for
pleasure instead a humble purpose of turning an honest penny out of them. Since he was reading for a
task, he required reasonable calmness and that is what he didn’t get. A couple of men came in the next
station. They were talking for the rest of the journey in a loud and pompous voice. The author closed his
book and looked out of the window. Here the author believes that the rights of small and quiet people
are as important to preserve as the rights of small nationalities.
Hazlitt said that a man wanted to learn that fearsome instrument was entitled to learn it in his house.
He can practise with his trombone by shutting the windows. Since it is his business, he can make
nuisance as slight as possible. The same thing applies to a gramophone. If we want to hear, we can hear
by limiting the noise.
The author concludes the essay by saying that we must be a judicious mixture of both anarchist and
socialist. We have to preserve both the individual liberty and social liberty. It is in the small matter of
conduct in the observance of the rule of the road, that we pass judgement upon ourselves and declare
that we are civilized or uncivilized. These little habits of commonplace intercourse that make up the
great sum of life and sweeten or make bitter the journey.