Eton C.- Critical Appreciation

Eton C.

By Maurice Baring

Critical Appreciation

The essay Eton C. expresses the author’s fondness for his beloved school. Here, the author plainly explains that the essay is a one-sided piece of literature which seeks to glorify his cherished institution. The author refutes the scores of all sorts of literature ranging from poetry to essays and articles written to vilify the place of his youth.

The author’s love for his dearest school is profound. He exclaims that if he had to relive a part of his life, it would be the part when he went to Eton. He would gladly relive every single bit of it. Whether it was the humiliation he suffered, the punishment he had to endure or the grief he lived through, he would not like to miss a single moment of it. Baring remarks that he always was and always will be a devoted fan of Eton. For Baring,

“Eton has been and always will be the best school and that there is none like her, none.”

The author admits that Eton was a school for the athletic and not the intellectual. He doesn’t argue with those who say that at Eton, importance is given to athletes, to those who play rather than study. At Eton, he says, both teacher and student believe that a sportsman is much more noteworthy than an intellectual. For six days in a week, the students of Eton are taught that to compete in athletics is the goal of life. Nevertheless, this, according to the author is not a deplorable characteristic. As the author says,

“It was the faults I liked best.”

According to the author, if the opposite was true, if preference was given to education rather than athleticism, then Eton would be like all the rest of the schools; boring and dull and with lack of creativity. The school would applaud those who excelled in their studies while the majority of students would receive no recognition. In that case, there would be a few students who would be satisfied and smug while the majority would be beyond boredom.

Not only is the Etonion system advantageous for the athletic but also for the studious. A person can enjoy unlimited independence when he is by himself. When a person, on the other hand is surrounded by others, he is obliged to give in to their wishes and demands. His freedom is lost and he becomes a follower of another man’s desires. When he is alone though, he does not need to follow anyone else. A studious person in Eton can study and learn whatever he likes and however he likes, opposite of other schools where he is pushed around by those who those who believe themselves to be the caretakers of knowledge. In a studious school, a studious person’s options are limited since he is required to study what is thought to be of importance. His freedom is restricted by the intellectual, himself.

Baring explains that the tyranny of the intellectual is far worse than the torture of the athlete. This is so because the intellectual seeks to control mind as well as body. His actions affect our emotions while the athlete’s affects our actions. The intellectual’s tyranny tarnishes our soul while the athlete’s damages only our body. Accordingly, the author says that it is better if Eton is ruled by the athlete instead of the intellectual. As the author says,

“The tyranny of the intellectual is the worst of all.”

The author finishes his essay by saying that though Eton is known for its athletic achievements and all Etonions love sports, they also hold high respect for academics. Etonions don’t necessarily despise education; rather they consider sports more important. Academic achievements for them are praiseworthy but still hold far less value than recognition in sports.