The War on Holidays
The War on Holidays is a collection of essays by G.K. Chesterton that explore the importance of holidays and leisure time in modern society. In his writing, Chesterton argues that holidays are essential for maintaining mental health and promoting creativity. He also criticizes the tendency to view holidays as a waste of time or an indulgence, instead emphasizing their value as a necessary break from the demands of everyday life.
By G.K. Chesterton · First published 1928 · Genre: Social Commentary, Political Satire, Philosophical · 1,375 words
First lines
The general proposition, not always easy to define exhaustively, that the reign of the capitalist will be the reign of the cad -- that is, of the unlicked type that is neither the citizen nor the gentleman -- can be excellently studied in its attitude towards holidays. The special emblematic Employer of to-day, especially the Model Employer (who is the worst sort) has in his starved and evil heart a sincere hatred of holidays. I do not mean that he necessarily wants all his workmen to work until they drop; that only occurs when he happens to be stupid as well as wicked. I do not mean to say that he is necessarily unwilling to grant what he would call "decent hours of labour. " He may treat men like dirt; but if you want to make money, even out of dirt, you must let it lie fallow by some rotation of rest. He may treat men as dogs, but unless he is a lunatic he will for certain periods let sleeping dogs lie.
What this Textopian page supports
The War on Holidays is listed on Textopian as an essay by G.K. Chesterton, dated 1928 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Essay
- Author: G.K. Chesterton
- Date: 1928 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Social Commentary, Political Satire, Philosophical, Cultural Criticism, Essay
- Length: 1,375 words
- Structure: 1 section, 11 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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Similar titles
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Genres
- Social Commentary — The text critiques the capitalist attitude towards holidays and the dehumanization of workers.
- Political Satire — The work uses humor and irony to criticize modern employers and their practices.
- Philosophical — Explores themes of human completeness and the philosophical implications of leisure and work.
- Cultural Criticism — Analyzes the cultural shift away from traditional holidays and their significance.
Tags
holidays · celebration · tradition · society · culture · critique · philosophy · religion · festivity · consumerism · values · history