Summary of "On Running After One's Hat" by G K Chesterton

The essay begins with the author expressing his envy on the flooding of London while he is in the countryside with Battersea being particularly favored as a meeting of waters. Battersea, a beautiful location, now has the additional splendor of vast sheets of water making it a truly unique landscape. It must resemble Venice with boats gliding along silver lanes like gondolas bringing meat and cabbages, giving an unearthly grace to the scene. Flooded districts become like an archipelago of islands, adding a perfectly poetical touch to the surroundings. The image of my own romantic town transformed by the floodwaters is truly incomparable and must be a sight to behold.

Some people may view romanticizing inconveniences like floods or fires as detached from reality, but the author argues that it is just as practical as any other perspective. The author praises the optimist who finds enjoyment in such situations, contrasting them with the typical complainer. Real pain, such as being burnt at Smithfield, is undeniable, but most inconveniences that cause frustration are more sentimental or imaginative in nature. The author gives the example of adults complaining about waiting at a railway station, while children find wonder and excitement in the same situation. The author admires the childlike ability to see magic in mundane activities, contrasting it with the jaded attitudes of adults. The author shares their own fond memories of spending time at Clapham Junction, suggesting that emotional perspective greatly influences how one experiences inconveniences. Overall, the text emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive and imaginative outlook when faced with life's challenges.

The text argues that society finds it amusing when someone chases after his or her hat, considering it humiliating and comic. However, the author questions why this is seen as negative, as people willingly chase after less important things such as a ball. The author suggests that the act of pursuing something important, like a hat, should not be considered a nuisance. They further explain that many human behaviors, such as eating and making love, are inherently comic, yet worthwhile. Therefore, chasing after a hat should not be ridiculed, as there are far more humorous and important pursuits in life, such as pursuing romantic relationships.

If a man feels rightly, he can pursue his hat with enthusiasm as if he were a skilled hunter chasing a wild animal. Hat-hunting on windy days might become a future sport for the upper classes. Participants would gather on a breezy morning and be informed that a hat has been released by professional attendants. This activity would combine sport with humanitarianism, as the hunters would not be causing pain but providing joy to onlookers. When an old gentleman chased his hat in Hyde Park, it was suggested that he should feel grateful for the joy he was unintentionally bringing to those watching.

The same principle of patience can be applied to everyday domestic frustrations. For example, a man trying to remove a fly from his milk or a cork from his wine may feel irritated. However, if he considers the patience of anglers waiting by dark pools, he will find gratification and peace. Similarly, some people use theological terms when faced with modern problems, such as a jammed drawer, to which they do not truly ascribe doctrinal meaning. By altering his perspective, a man can turn a frustrating situation into an exciting challenge. By imagining himself tugging a lifeboat from the sea or rescuing someone from an Alpine crevasse(a deep narrow crack in a glacier or ice sheet), he can transform the struggle. This shift in mindset can make daily tasks more engaging and less exasperating. The narrator's friend, who constantly dealt with a jammed drawer, was advised to view the situation as a heroic effort rather than a mundane annoyance. The idea was that approaching challenges with a sense of adventure and determination can lead to a more fulfilling experience.

It is not far-fetched to see floods in London as poetic and enjoyable. The inconveniences caused by them are just one aspect of a romantic situation. An adventure is simply an inconvenience seen in the right light, and vice versa. The water surrounding the buildings in London likely added to their charm. Following the comment made by a Roman Catholic priest in the story, "Wine is good with everything except water," one can suggest that "water is good with everything except wine" meaning water enhances everything except wine.