PROSE: THE KEY TO COURAGE by I.A.R. WYLIE

 

UG IV SEMESTER :  PROSE:  THE KEY TO COURAGE by  I.A.R. WYLIE

 

OUTLINE OF THE ESSAY:

*INTRODUCTION

*SIGNIFICANCE OF FEAR

*AUTHOR’S PERSONAL EXPERIENCE

*SOLDIER’S FEAR

*NOEL’S EXPERIENCE

*FEAR OF LOSING JOB

*CONCLUSION

 

INTRODUCTION: Ida Alexa Ross Wylie, better known as I.A.R Wylie, was one of the most respected authors of her generation.  She lost her mother very early, and was later raised by her father.  She had no formal education.  She was given large numbers of books to read and was taught to rely on her instincts until she was in her teens.  Many of her storied and novels turned into movie, the most famous being Keeper of the Flame (1942).  In this essay, the author feels that fear can be useful to kindle our courage to do our best.

SIGNIFICANCE OF FEAR:According to I.A.R Wylie fear play a vital role in bringing out our hidden capacities.  She asked a question to herself “When was I (author) happiest? She came upon with an unexpected answer; she enjoyed herself the most when she was badly scared.  Fear makes it possible to trust in one’s own self to face difficulty or danger.  As a young child she was fearless and she had an unusual upbringing.  She was isolated from children and she use to travel all alone.  When she first went to school at the age of fourteen, she caught fear from the other children brought up by orthodox methods might catch mumps and measles.  She turned very nervous and shy.  But, whenever she met with danger, her fear aroused in her with unsuspected powers.

AUTHOR’S PERSONAL EXPERIENCE: When Wylie first went to United States her publishers expected her to give a speech during a public dinner, she was almost sick with fear.  Her tongue was tied up with shyness. Later she gave speech like a practiced speaker.  She realized that she needed fear to spur (encourage) her talents.  Even the actors, singers and public performers agree that unless they fear they are not likely to give a good performance.

SOLDIER’S FEAR: Bravest soldiers are not ‘fearless’.  It is found that soldiers are those who go to battle sweating with fear.  Army doctors observed that it is not the tough guy who endure the stress of war, but those who imagine fearful consequences to themselves and to others for whom they are responsible.  “Fear when rightly used is the father of courage”.

      In 1942, she was invited by British government with several other writers to observe how Britain stood during various difficult situations.  She was afraid to travel by flight to Great Britain during the war time.  But, after her journey she felt refreshing and vigorous.  Without fear there is no real courage.  It is the power to face any kind of challenge in life.  Fear stimulates our energy and mind.

NOEL’S EXPERIENCE: An English writer, Noel Streatfield once told her that she was on her way to Singapore by ship and the passengers became very unfriendly through her journey.  The captain met Noel on the deck and asked her to give a hint to the passengers that the ship might suffer from the teeth of a hurricane (cyclone/storm).  After hearing it the passengers developed high spirits and good temper with her through her journey.

FEAR OF LOSING JOB: The author’s friend was nervous and shy.  One day when he was called to the office of his vice-president, his worry turned into fear.  Worry isn’t same as the fear.  A change came over him and he faced his superiors in a light- headed mood.  The interview ended in a handshake and her friend was promoted afterwards.

CONCLUSION: Fear has spurred him to do at his best.  Fear when rightly used can do miracles in life.  Fear can make humans to develop superhuman qualities.  Thus ‘Fear is the Father of Courage’.