The ability to love correctly and enjoy life are hard concepts to grasp in our modern world, but G.K. Chesterton in his novel Manalive (1912) shows us how to live and ensure the highest levels of jubilee and affection. Innocent Smith is the role model because he not only is good Christian by abiding to the rules of God but also by sharing his joy with the people around him. He understands the law and societal rules unlike anyone else. He sees them as a pathway to boundless opportunities, not as limiting factors. Throughout the novel we watch as he interprets his home in many different ways in order for him to love it correctly. Through his character Innocent Smith, Chesterton writes a story that presents a model for how to live correctly in
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The actions of Innocent Smith are unusual and the community around him does not like his abnormal behavior. He eats lunch on the roof and shoots guns at people’s feet. Also he breaks into his house just for fun. As he goes in his quest for happiness, his peers view Smith’s actions as one of a crazy person. Moses Gould and a few others try to incarcerate Smith for his outlandish conduct, but Innocent Smith’s friends prove in court that his actions are legal and authentic. All that his friends do to achieve this is change the perspective of the prosecutors. Illegal actions are exciting and fun to most of society because of the emotional feeling of breaking the rules. Many like to feel the blood rushing through their body after they get away with carrying out criminal behavior. The prosecutors place Innocent Smith’s actions in the same category of a real criminal, yet he never once broke the law. He found a way to live his life well and still find activities that bring the same adrenaline rush and excitement into life. His love for home and his wife are a by product of his way of life. Traveling the world is quite exciting, …show more content…
Chesterton uses Innocent Smith as a model for the ideal Christian because he knows how to love and how to spread his joy with the others. Coming home from his adventures, he not only shares the wonderful stories of seeing God’s creation but he transfers this joy into spending time with his wife. He doesn't cheat on his wife and break one of the ten commandments, Innocent Smith and his wife role play as different people in order to strengthen their relationship. Shooting at the feet is odd but at the same time its a very generous act. After a near death experience like that, every human on Earth would instantly think about what they love and who the most important people are in their life. Often people lose sight of the important parts of life, and Smith tries to remind his neighbors how special life is. He abides by the rules of God, but lives an unconventional life that leads to greater appreciation of his
The actions of Innocent Smith are unusual and the community around him does not like his abnormal behavior. He eats lunch on the roof and shoots guns at people’s feet. Also he breaks into his house just for fun. As he goes in his quest for happiness, his peers view Smith’s actions as one of a crazy person. Moses Gould and a few others try to incarcerate Smith for his outlandish conduct, but Innocent Smith’s friends prove in court that his actions are legal and authentic. All that his friends do to achieve this is change the perspective of the prosecutors. Illegal actions are exciting and fun to most of society because of the emotional feeling of breaking the rules. Many like to feel the blood rushing through their body after they get away with carrying out criminal behavior. The prosecutors place Innocent Smith’s actions in the same category of a real criminal, yet he never once broke the law. He found a way to live his life well and still find activities that bring the same adrenaline rush and excitement into life. His love for home and his wife are a by product of his way of life. Traveling the world is quite exciting, …show more content…
Chesterton uses Innocent Smith as a model for the ideal Christian because he knows how to love and how to spread his joy with the others. Coming home from his adventures, he not only shares the wonderful stories of seeing God’s creation but he transfers this joy into spending time with his wife. He doesn't cheat on his wife and break one of the ten commandments, Innocent Smith and his wife role play as different people in order to strengthen their relationship. Shooting at the feet is odd but at the same time its a very generous act. After a near death experience like that, every human on Earth would instantly think about what they love and who the most important people are in their life. Often people lose sight of the important parts of life, and Smith tries to remind his neighbors how special life is. He abides by the rules of God, but lives an unconventional life that leads to greater appreciation of his