Analytical essay

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“How to Live to Be 200” by Leacock criticizes health fanatics
The author of the story criticizes the good health practices. The story is full of ironical clauses. The author tries to show that the healthy lifestyle is not important and does not determine the longevity of the lifespan of an individual. The author emphasizes on the poor lifestyles and how they are better to practice than the recommended healthy habits.
The author uses satire in when he stresses that the people should not be scared of the bacilli and the germs (Staines, 80). Basically, these micro-organisms are the disease-causing agents. If one is not careful of the microorganisms then he or she might become sick. The author talks as the bacilli are someone’s pet. The bacilli cause cholera and diphtheria. He says that cholera is caused by the stomach pains (“Cholera is caused by a frightful pain in the stomach, and diphtheria is caused by trying to cure a sore throat”).The cholera is caused by the bacilli he terms it to be friendly. The author appears to be satirical.
Again the author tries to show that the fresh air in the room is not very important. He says that the same air in your room can satisfy the occupant. Basically, the healthy man stood near the window and took long breaths to expand his lungs. That meant that the fresh air was important for the healthy living. The author talks of shutting the windows and having the same air in the room.

Again this is too ironical.
Furthermore, the author uses satire when criticizes the healthy diet. The healthy man used to eat the healthy foods and avoided lots of meat and fats (Staines, 90). The author argues that the nitrogen in the meat is not harmful (And listen–don’t worry as to whether your food contains starch, or albumen, or gluten, or nitrogen”). Nutritionist says that frequent intake of the meat is unhealthy. The author says that one should eat them daily so long as you can afford. Again, a person should eat the required amount of food for the proper digestion and avoid overworking the body organs to break down the food. The author says that one should eat until he staggers because of the full stomach. This is unhealthy.
The body exercise is very important for the proper working of the muscles. The healthy man used to wake up early in the morning and do some exercises before beginning the daily chores. The author argues that one should wake up when going to the work (“If your work begins at seven in the morning, get up at ten minutes to, but don’t be liar enough to say that you like it”).Obviously, one cannot wake up five minutes to work’s time. The author also points out the cold bath is not beneficial to the health (Staines, 91). He says one should take morning bath with warm water. The warm water is unhealthy because it affects the skin. The healthy man used cold water to take bath. The author uses irony to criticize the healthy lifestyle.
In conclusion, the author criticizes the habits of the healthy man. This is might be because the man never lived the two hundred years. The author believes that the unhealthy living styles can make one live longer than those who practice the healthy habits. However, these practices are not proven. They are just mere thoughts of the author.
Work Cited
Staines, David. Stephen Leacock, a reappraisal. Ottawa: University of Ottawa Press, 1986. Print