Clovis on the Alleged Romance of Business
The narrative critiques the notion of the "romance of Business," arguing that true romance lies not within the confines of business itself but in the experiences and adventures of those who eschew conventional work. The speaker, Clovis, reflects on the allure of a grocer's shop, emphasizing that the enchantment comes from the exotic goods rather than the mundane life of the grocer. He romanticizes the idea of the idle apprentice and the wanderer, suggesting that they are the true architects of trade and exploration, bringing back spices and treasures that ignite the imagination. Clovis contrasts this with the life of the diligent apprentice who becomes a businessman, leading a monotonous existence filled with routine and responsibility. He paints a bleak picture of these industrious individuals, suggesting that their dreams and aspirations are buried alongside them in cemeteries, devoid of any excitement or adventure. The narrative suggests that the business world, with its focus on figures and profit, strips away the romance and reduces life to mere transactions. Through vivid imagery and a critical lens, the work explores themes of adventure versus routine, the allure of the unknown versus the safety of the familiar, and the idea that true excitement lies outside the realm of business. Clovis's reflections serve as a commentary on societal values, questioning the glorification of industriousness at the expense of imagination and exploration. Ultimately, the piece advocates for a recognition of the romantic elements in life that exist beyond the confines of business, celebrating the dreamers and wanderers who enrich the world with their experiences.
By Saki · First published 1910 · Genre: Satire, Essay, Philosophical · 538 words
First lines
"It is the fashion nowadays," said Clovis, "to talk about the romance of Business. There isn't such a thing. The romance has all been the other way, with the idle apprentice, the truant, the runaway, the individual who couldn't be bothered with figures and bookkeeping and left business to look after itself. I admit that a grocer's shop is one of the most romantic and thrilling things that I have ever happened on, but the romance and thrill are centred in the groceries, not the grocer. The citron and spices and nuts and dates, the barrelled anchovies and Dutch cheeses, the jars of caviar and the chests of tea, they carry the mind away to Levantine coast towns and tropic shores, to the Old World wharfs and quays of the Low Countries, to dusty Astrachan and far Cathay; if the grocer's apprentice has any romance in him it is not a business education he gets behind the grocer's counter, it is a standing invitation to dream and to wander, and to remain poor. As a child such places as South America and Asia Minor were brought painstakingly under my notice, the names of their principal rivers and the heights of their chief mountain peaks were committed to my memory, and I was earnestly enjoined to consider them as parts of the world that I lived in; it was only when I visited a large well-stocked grocer's shop that I realized that they certainly existed. Such galleries of romance and fascination are not bequeathed to us by the business man; he is only the dull custodian, who talks glibly of Spanish olives and Rangoon rice, a Spain that he has never known or wished to know, a Rangoon that he has never imagined or could imagine. It was the unledgered wanderer, the careless-hearted seafarer, the aimless outcast, who opened up new trade routes, tapped new markets, brought home samples or cargoes of new edibles and unknown condiments. It was they who brought the glamour and romance to the threshold of business life, where it was promptly reduced to pounds, shillings, and pence; invoiced, double-entried, quoted, written-off, and so forth; most of those terms are probably wrong, but a little inaccuracy sometimes saves tons of explanation.
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Clovis on the Alleged Romance of Business is listed on Textopian as a short story by Saki, dated 1910 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Saki
- Date: 1910 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Satire, Essay, Philosophical, Social Commentary, Humor
- Length: 538 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
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- Work identity for Clovis on the Alleged Romance of Business by Saki
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Satire — The text critiques the romanticized view of business, using irony and humor to highlight the mundane reality of business life.
- Essay — The work presents a reflective argument on the nature of business and its perceived romance, characteristic of essay writing.
- Philosophical — The exploration of themes related to the meaning of work and the contrast between romantic ideals and harsh realities reflects philosophical inquiry.
- Social Commentary — The narrative comments on societal views of business and the lives of those involved, providing insight into social attitudes.
Tags
satire · business · romance · humor · social commentary · irony · fiction · short stories · British literature · 20th century · character study · class distinction